Major: Earthquake Risk Assessment for Structures and Urban Transformation
Overview: This interdisciplinary major focuses on assessing earthquake risks in structures and urban areas, and developing strategies for resilient urban transformation. Designed for Turkey’s unique seismic challenges, the program combines civil engineering, urban planning, and disaster management to prepare graduates for careers in earthquake risk mitigation, urban resilience, and infrastructure development.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand seismic hazards and their impact on structures and urban areas.
- Develop skills in structural risk assessment and retrofitting techniques.
- Learn urban planning strategies for earthquake-prone regions.
- Explore disaster management and emergency response planning.
- Analyze real-world case studies of earthquake resilience and urban transformation.
- Develop practical skills in risk mitigation and resilient infrastructure design.
Core Courses:
Introduction to Seismic Hazards and Risk Assessment
- Fundamentals of earthquakes, seismic waves, and risk assessment methodologies.
Structural Analysis and Retrofitting
- Techniques for analyzing structural vulnerabilities and retrofitting buildings for earthquake resistance.
Urban Planning for Earthquake-Prone Regions
- Strategies for designing resilient cities, including zoning, land use, and infrastructure planning.
Disaster Management and Emergency Response
- Principles of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in urban settings.
Geotechnical Engineering for Seismic Resilience
- Soil-structure interaction, liquefaction risk, and foundation design for earthquake resistance.
Building Codes and Regulatory Compliance
- Understanding and applying seismic building codes and standards (e.g., Turkish Earthquake Code).
Urban Transformation and Resilience
- Approaches to urban renewal and transformation for improved seismic resilience.
Case Studies in Earthquake Risk Mitigation
- Analysis of real-world examples, including Turkey’s past earthquakes and global best practices.
Practicum in Earthquake Risk Assessment
- Hands-on experience through fieldwork, simulations, or internships with municipal or engineering firms.
Capstone Project
- Comprehensive project applying learned skills to assess and mitigate earthquake risks in a real-world structure or urban area.
Assessment Methods:
- Structural risk assessment reports
- Urban planning proposals for seismic resilience
- Disaster management plans
- Retrofitting design projects
- Case study analyses
- Practicum and capstone project evaluations
Recommended Textbooks and Resources:
- Earthquake Engineering: From Engineering Seismology to Performance-Based Engineering by Yousef Bozorgnia and Vitelmo V. Bertero
- Urban Disaster Resilience and Security by Alexander Fekete and Frank Fuchs
- Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Buildings by Thomas Paulay and M.J.N. Priestley
- Turkish Earthquake Code (TBDY 2018) and related guidelines
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of civil engineering, urban planning, or disaster management. Suitable for students interested in earthquake resilience, urban transformation, and infrastructure safety, particularly in seismic regions like Turkey.
Duration: 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, including coursework, fieldwork, and internships.
Certification: Graduates earn a degree in Earthquake Risk Assessment for Structures and Urban Transformation and can pursue certifications in seismic design, urban planning, or disaster management.
Career Paths:
- Earthquake Risk Assessment Engineer
- Urban Planner for Seismic Resilience
- Disaster Management Specialist
- Structural Retrofitting Consultant
- Municipal Resilience Officer
- Infrastructure Development Advisor
Why This Major? Turkey’s geographical location makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes, creating a critical need for professionals who can assess risks and transform urban areas to be more resilient. This program equips students with the skills to contribute to safer, more sustainable cities, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the region.
Note for Ahmad Hamad: Given your location in Turkey, this major is particularly relevant. The curriculum is designed to address the unique seismic risks in the region, and graduates will be well-positioned to work with local municipalities, engineering firms, and international organizations focused on disaster resilience. If you're interested in contributing to safer infrastructure and urban development in Turkey, this could be an excellent path for you!
