Geographical analysis of post disaster urban resilience: A case study of Battalgazi district (Malatya), Türkiye

Disasters cause large-scale destruction and social crises in urban areas, fundamentally transforming spatial, economic, and social dynamics. Given Turkey's location on active fault lines and the occurrence of major earthquakes in recent years, the concept of post-disaster resilience has become increasingly significant. In this context, this study, conducted in the Battalgazi district of Malatya, examines post-disaster resilience from a geographical perspective, analyzing spatial and social changes in the region. Within the scope of the research, the geographical, geological, and demographic characteristics of Battalgazi district were examined, with a particular focus on the impacts of the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes in the region. In the first section of the study, the effects of the disaster on population distribution, residential areas, infrastructure systems, and economic activities were explored. During this process, changes in zoning plans, urban transformation practices, and spatial planning processes were analyzed to reveal the fundamental dynamics of the district's postdisaster reconstruction. The second section discusses the conceptual framework of the study through key concepts and theories. The third section evaluates the impact of the February 6 earthquakes on the district in terms of population, settlement, economic structure, and land use parameters. The fourth section focuses on spatial, social, and economic recovery efforts. In the fifth section, a seismic hazard map was produced using the Fuzzy AHP method, highlighting its critical importance for disaster risk management. The study particularly emphasizes the necessity of identifying safe settlement areas and adopting risk-oriented strategies in spatial planning to prepare for potential future earthquakes. In this study, post-disaster resilience is not only considered a spatial phenomenon but also a social and economic process. The importance of psycho-social support mechanisms in strengthening social resilience is highlighted, while employment, income diversification, and disaster risk transfer are evaluated as key factors in ensuring economic sustainability. In conclusion, this study presents an assessment of the post-disaster reconstruction process in Battalgazi and strategies for enhancing resilience, approaching the concept of urban resilience from both a theoretical and applied perspective. Keywords: 6 February Maraş Earthquakes, Post -disaster Resilience, Battalgazi District, Malatya