ERZURUM İLİNDEKİ TOPLANMA ALANLARININ DEPREM SONRASI KULLANIMINA İLİŞKİN BİR DEĞERLENDİRME

Türkiye is among the countries with the highest seismic activity due to its tectonic formation and its location on the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt. Situated in a critical risk zone due to its proximity to the intersection of the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ) and the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ), Erzurum province has faced numerous destructive earthquakes throughout history. In the event of a potential disaster, the effectiveness of disaster and emergency assembly areas is of vital importance for surviving the initial shock and managing the evacuation process effectively. However, beyond their mere quantitative existence, factors such as capacity adequacy, spatial distribution, accessibility, and suitability for climatic conditions are among the fundamental determinants of their operational effectiveness.

This study* aims to evaluate the existing assembly areas in Erzurum province in terms of their utilization potential. Within the scope of the research, data regarding the area size, service population capacity, and spatial distribution of assembly areas located in the central districts of Erzurum were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Furthermore, considering Erzurum's long and harsh winter conditions, the convertibility of these areas into temporary shelters—specifically under winter conditions—was discussed within the framework of existing urban furniture, semi-enclosed structures (e.g., gazebos), and alternative heating possibilities. The results indicate that certain assembly areas possess insufficient capacity relative to population density and exhibit significant deficiencies regarding winter conditions. Consequently, it was determined that earthquake assembly areas in Erzurum require re-evaluation and need to be redesigned to accommodate winter conditions.