Assessment of civil architectural structures in kahramanmaraş before and after the earthquakes of February 6, 2023

This thesis aims to document and analyze the changes in the physical condition of traditional civil architectural structures located within the urban conservation area of Kahramanmaraş, following the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. Within the scope of the study, the morphological and social characteristics of the street and neighborhood fabric that existed in the area prior to the disaster were evaluated; distinctive architectural features such as plan typologies, façade arrangements, construction materials, and building techniques of traditional houses were identified. In the post-earthquake fieldwork, the damage levels of the buildings (total collapse, severe damage, demolition orders, etc.) were classified, and the spatial transformation caused by these damages at both the street and neighborhood scales was thoroughly analyzed. Through satellite imagery, documentation forms, and photographic comparisons, void-solid analyses revealed disruptions in the urban fabric and the loss of spatial continuity. The findings of the study indicate that post-earthquake interventions had significant impacts on the traditional residential fabric; not only was the physical structure destroyed, but social spaces were also lost, leading to the fragmentation of the settlement and widespread abandonment of the area. In this context, the thesis aims to provide an original source for architectural documentation in the aftermath of disaster, while also contributing to sustainable planning approaches for the preservation of cultural heritage.