Istanbul Gelisim University - Multiple disaster risks in stairways

Multiple disaster risks in stairways

Faculty members Asst. Prof. Dr. Gül Yücel and Asst. Prof. Dr. İlke Ciritci, who worked on the disaster and accessibility of the stairways in Istanbul, examined 26 examples from different districts.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Gül Yücel and Asst. Prof. Dr. İlke Ciritci from the Architecture Department of Istanbul Gelisim University examined 26 examples from different districts over 100 steps. In the on-site detection and examination, the relationship of the stairs with the topography, landscape, building connections, step structure, purpose of use, density and earthquake, disaster and emergency risks such as flood and fire were evaluated.

“THERE ARE DIFFERENCES DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION IN THE USE OF STAIRS”

Expressing that they are working on streets with many stairs in different districts of Istanbul, Dr. Gül Yücel said: “One of the most important problems of streets with stairs is accessibility in emergency situations. The difference in social life and needs in residential areas with different textures brings differences in the use of streets with stairs.”

“STEETS WITH STAIRS A PART OF SOCIAL LIFE”

Mentioning that they made examinations on many stairs within the scope of the research, Yücel said that in addition to the characteristics of the stairs, they also looked at the physical structure of the surrounding buildings, the number of floors, the elements that could be risk on their facades and the width of the streets.

Stating that the streets with stairs have been a part of the social life of Istanbul from the past to this day, Yücel said, “We met with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department and AFAD Istanbul Provincial Directorate to determine the risks of those living in disaster or emergency situations on the streets with stairs. Of course, our main goal was to find the basic elements of how to easily evacuate the people living in the buildings around the stairway street to a safer place in disaster and emergency situations. We made important observations in this regard.”

“SUBSEQUENT ADDITIONS OF BUILDINGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK FOR SAFETY OF LIFE”

Drawing attention to the fact that pedestrianized streets and the stairs leading to these streets are frequently used, Dr. İlke Ciritci, a faculty member of Istanbul GeliSim University, said: “Asmalı Mescit Neighborhood and Cezayir Street in Beyoğlu can be shown as examples. It is important that people living in that area have their escape routes to the streets in a clean and non-dangerous manner in case of a disaster. Subsequent annexes to buildings on these streets and stairs may create the danger of falling on people on the street during an earthquake and increase the risk of outdoor life safety.”

Stressing that they has many observations on this subject, Dr. Ciritci said: “Maybe, restorations can be made by experts on these determinations with the right methods. Thanks to these measures, disaster resistance can be increased and loss of life can be prevented.”