Spatial and functional suitability analysis of disaster assembly areas: Tekirdağ şarköy district

Turkey is a country that faces various natural disasters due to its geographical location. Among these disasters, earthquakes are among the most destructive in terms of loss of life and property. A large part of Turkey is located in the first-degree earthquake zone. The district of Şarköy, which is part of the province of Tekirdağ, is located on the North Anatolian Fault Line and is in the first-degree earthquake zone. In this region, which has historically experienced significant destruction, the number, location, and functionality of disaster gathering areas are of critical importance. In this study, a suitability analysis was conducted for disaster assembly areas within the boundaries of Şarköy district in Tekirdağ province, and an additional assessment was made for eight neighbourhoods with high population density. The study was conducted using a two-pronged analysis consisting of spatial suitability analysis and functional suitability analysis in order to strike a balance between theory and actual conditions. In the first analysis, a suitability map was created using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method through Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It was determined that 18.54% of the district's surface area was "suitable", 49.77% was "moderately suitable", and 31.18% was "less suitable". It was determined that the existing gathering areas are largely located in suitable regions. In the second analysis, field observations were conducted to analyse the functional suitability of existing disaster assembly areas with a determined level of spatial suitability, and these were evaluated using the AHS method. It was determined that there were disaster assembly areas in the district that varied in capacity, could not meet basic needs in terms of functionality, and were not suitable for use in emergencies, particularly in terms of infrastructure. The integration of spatial and functional analyses enables a multi-criteria and comprehensive assessment in determining disaster assembly areas. This approach allows for the consideration of not only physical risks but also usage-oriented criteria such as accessibility, infrastructure, and capacity. The findings provide decision-makers with data-driven, actionable, and sustainable planning recommendations for the disaster management process.