Evaluation of emergency gathering areas in Ceyhan district of adana province, from a landscape planning perspective

The density of the urban population today leaves cities vulnerable to natural, technological, and human-induced disasters. Disasters are events that cause losses for individuals and communities, disrupt daily life, and cannot be managed with available resources. The resilience of cities is of vital importance in preventing severe and long-lasting consequences after disasters. Disaster and emergency assembly areas play a critical role in ensuring the safe gathering of the public as accessible and functional urban open spaces. Türkiye's neotectonic and topographic structure indicates exposure to various types of disasters. In particular, the earthquakes centered in Pazarcık and Elbistan on February 6, 2023 caused significant damage and loss of life across eleven provinces, bringing the adequacy of disaster and emergency assembly areas into focus. Ceyhan district of Adana province carries a high risk in terms of both natural disasters (especially earthquakes) and human-induced disasters (industrial accidents). This study evaluates the neighborhoods in Ceyhan district in terms of earthquake risk and examines existing assembly areas within the context of landscape planning to determine their adequacy. According to the analyzed data, the risk levels of the neighborhoods were scored; all 13 disaster and emergency assembly areas designated by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) were examined, and proposals were developed for those located in high-risk neighborhoods. Keywords: Landscape, Disaster, Earthquake, Gathering Areas, Green Spaces