General Information
Although 43% of Turkey’s land is under earthquake threat and 51% of the country’s population lives around 1st and 2nd degree seismic zones, until 1999 Kocaeli earthquake, policies towards earthquake risk mitigation, proposals for solutions and projects were not remained on the agenda of central and local authorities, universities, communities, non-governmental organizations and media, except some concerned experts.
August 17, 1999 Kocaeli earthquake has proved once again how our citizens and every institution of our country are so unprepared for such a situation. For the fact that this earthquake, which largely affected country’s economy, has occurred in a region of most important industrial potential and most dense population, it has attract more attention than 1992 Erzincan, 1995 Dinar, 1998 Adana earthquakes, more powerful historical ones. 2011 Van earthquake has demonstrated that this subject is still at issue and that we need expertise on this area. The prediction and warning for a forthcoming strong earthquake that will affect İstanbul and environments has made this subject a piece of daily life.
Kocaeli earthquake has been an important starting point for Housing & Earthquake Non-Thesis Master’s Program, executed by ITU Graduate School of Social Sciences. This program continues since 2001-2002 Academic year.
Purpose of the Program
Taking into consideration of the inadequacy in works on earthquake and housing the lack of know-how, Housing & Earthquake Non-Thesis Master’s Program’s purpose is developed to accumulate knowledge on this area and to educate concerned experts.
Structure of the Program
Housing & Earthquake Non-Thesis Master’s Program is an interdisciplinary graduate program executed by İstanbul Technical University Graduate School of Social Sciences.
Under ITU Graduate School of Social Sciences this program is implemented with the collaboration of ITU Faculty of Architecture Urban Planning Department and the support of ITU Housing Research and Education Center.
Scope of the Program
- Program is consisted of 3 credits compulsory and elective courses and the term project. For the graduation it is a must to complete courses of 36 credits in total and the term project with success.
- Program is consisted of 3 terms. The student choses her/his advisor according her/his expertise area at the end of the first term; s/he conducts the term project under the supervising of this professor and submits.
- The courses are given at ITU Taşkışla Campus by ITU, other Turkish or foreign university members and relevant professionals.
- Study trips can be organized according the courses scope.
- 50% of compulsory courses and at least 30% of all courses taken must be in English.
- ITU Senate decisions are applied for grading courses and projects.
- Attendance is compulsory for courses.
Terms of Application
In addition to ITU Graduate Education Regulations Senate Decisions’ Terms of Application
- To be graduated from a four year higher education institution (Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering or other departments approved by Housing & Earthquake Department)
- To score at Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) 55 (EA) minimum
- To be successful at ITU English Proficiency Exam or at an equivalent test accepted by ITU
- To submit 2 reference letter
- To submit a letter of intent beside a portfolio or file summarizing earlier works of the candidate
- Due to the structure of the program consisted of 30% English and 70% Turkish courses, foreign applicants must speak and spell Turkish language.
The students will be selected by a commission formed by ITU Graduate School of Social Sciences through candidates meeting the application terms.
Course List
Compulsory Courses
1st Term
KDP501 Housing & Earthquake: Conceptual Framework
KDP503E Housing Policy
2nd Term
KDP502E Urban Planning Principles in Seismic Zones and Disaster Areas
KDP504 Housing Design Principles in Seismic Zones
KDP506E Emergency Transportation Planning
3rd Term
KDP515 Comparative Analysis on Settlements and Housing Examples in Seismic Zones
KDP YLT Term Project
Elective Courses
1st Term
KDP505 Sociological Approach to Earthquake
KDP507 Earthquake Resistant Structural System Design Principles
KDP513 Earthquake and Earth Sciences
2nd Term
KDP508 Earthquake Risk Assessment and Mitigation on Existing Settlements
KDP510E Disaster Management
KDP512 Earthquake and Economy
KDP514 Earthquake on 20th Century
3rd Term
KDP517 Legal Sources on Earthquake
KDP519E Protection of Cultural Heritage Against Earthquake
KDP521E Geographical Information Systems in Disaster Management and Planning
Academic Staff
Prof. Dr. Yıldız SEY (Emeritus – ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Ahsen ÖZSOY (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Nuran ZEREN GÜLERSOY (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Feridun ÇILI (Emeritus – ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Gülden ERKUT (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Yurdanur DÜLGEROĞLU YÜKSEL (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Handan TÜRKOĞLU (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Alper ÜNLÜ (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Zeynep AHUNBAY (Emeritus – ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Okan TÜYSÜZ (ITU Faculty of Mines, Geological Engineering)
Prof. Dr. Sinan Mert ŞENER (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Nilgün OKAY (ITU Faculty of Mines)
Prof. Dr. Hilmi Berk ÇELİKOĞLU (ITU Faculty of Civil Engineering)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Reyhan GENLİ YİĞİTER (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seda KUNDAK (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Assist. Prof. Dr. Gülşen TAŞKIN KAYA (ITU Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Management Institute)
Dr. Kerem ARSLANLI (ITU Graduate School of Social Sciences)
Dr. Özge ATALAY ÇELİK (ITU Vocational High School)
Dr. A. Meltem BASLO (ITU Graduate School of Social Sciences)
Dr. Eda BEYAZIT (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Dr. Burak ÇELİK (Galatasaray University)
Executive Board
Prof. Dr. Nuran ZEREN GÜLERSOY (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Ahsen ÖZSOY (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Yurdanur DÜLGEROĞLU YÜKSEL (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
LESKİS Commission Board
Internal Stakeholders
Department Staff
Prof. Dr. Ahsen ÖZSOY (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Nuran ZEREN GÜLERSOY (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Prof. Dr. Yurdanur DÜLGEROĞLU YÜKSEL (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seda KUNDAK (ITU Faculty of Architecture)
External Stakeholders
External to Department
Prof. Dr. Yıldız SEY (Emeritus – ITU Faculty of Architecture)
Dr. Ali Tolga ÖZDEN (METU Faculty of Architecture)
External to University
Alpaslan Hamdi KUZUCUOĞLU (İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Department of Earthquake Risk Management and Urban Development)
Elif TAŞ (Project Development and Management Expert)