Developing a novel Climate change Risk Assessment Framework for cultural heritage in Turkey (CRAFT)

Lead Research Organisation: Durham University
Department Name: Engineering

Abstract

Turkey is one of the most archaeologically and culturally rich places in the World with 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and an additional 78 locations in the tentative list. Flooding and landslides are one of the most destructive types of natural disaster in Turkey. Flood impacts in Turkey are felt severely in major cities of the country. Istanbul (the largest city of Turkey with 15 million inhabitants) and its UNESCO World Heritage historical areas have recently suffered from frequent floods as a result of intense rainfalls under a changing climate. The severe floods of August-September 2009 in the Marmara region of Turkey were categorised as an event greater than the 500-year return period. These floods caused 31 human losses, affected 35,000 people, and led to significant damages in major urban cities, particularly in Istanbul, with an economic loss more than $100 million. Many parts of the old city centre (Historic Peninsula) of Istanbul were flooded. The Historic peninsula had also suffered from several major floods in December 2010, July 2017, February 2018 and August 2019. Heavy rains cause flooding events more frequently in recent years than in the past. The deadly 2019 floods, rainfall-triggered landslides, and the subsequent moisture problems have resulted in significant structural damages to cultural heritage; in particular Small HagiaSofia and Ahi Çelebi Mosque (which was at that time in a restoration process).

Our proposed research will involve susceptibility mapping of cultural heritage to climate-change driven hazards, with a particular focus on the floods and landslides hazards on Istanbul's world heritage sites. The mapping, based on a risk assessment framework, will then be used to develop a response policy. In developing risk assessment frameworks, it is the normal presumption that "heritage assets are irreplaceable and that heritage is a 'non-renewable resource' ". However, the risk assessment framework to be developed within this project will need to recognise the inevitability and potential of loss. We will recognise the inevitability of loss, where the impacts of climate and environmental change may lead to the conclusion that conservation and perpetuation of some monuments are unsustainable. The potential of loss could imply that, where monuments have been damaged by landslides and floods, in addition to the option of reconstructing the heritage to its pre-disaster condition, we should consider a new form of the heritage, where the history of disaster is reflected in the modified monument.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description The task of identifying and potentially providing effective measures to mitigate the hazards posed by landslides and flash flooding is complicated and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In this project, site investigation, quantification of soil-water retention behaviour and identification of soil properties and topographical analysis in the Istanbul historical area was carried out. Existing literature and field reports provided by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality were used. A series of climate scenarios representing current and future rainfall and precipitation patterns have been explored. Susceptibility maps for climate-change-driven hazards to cultural heritage were produced. We have identified monuments and sites where the impacts of climate and environmental change may lead to the conclusion that the conservation and perpetuation of some monuments are unsustainable. In order to make these assessments, the heritage inventory has been classified based on its characteristics, and these characteristics will be correlated with exposed hazards. A vulnerability assessment concept has been developed for the cultural and historical assets of Istanbul. The model is built upon a vulnerability index, giving insight into the potential loss that heritage assets can face. This model was developed in a fashion that can be replicated or adapted for other cultural heritage sites in Turkey. CRAFT project has identified 150 cultural heritage places in the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul which could be endangered by hazards of floods and landslides. An index for damage assessment has been developed. We will recognise the inevitability of loss, where the impacts of climate and environmental change may lead to the conclusion that the conservation and perpetuation of some monuments are unsustainable.

CRAFT project found that there is evidence of the change in rainfall patterns and climatic events. However, there is a disproportional increase in flood events and flood-related damage in Istanbul's cultural heritage sites due to several human-related activities:
(1) Continuous re-paving of the pavements and the roads resulted in making several cultural heritage sites fall below the level of the surrounding roads
(2) Increasing impervious made-made surfaces surrounding historical sites, Ageing, poorly maintained drainage systems and lack of green infrastructure.
(3) There are deficiencies in city planning and enforcement laws related to construction activities in historical sites.
Exploitation Route The risk map can be useful for government agencies in planning risk management and conservation policies.
Sectors Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

 
Description A vulnerability assessment concept has been developed for Istanbul's cultural and historical assets. The model is built upon a vulnerability index, giving insight into the potential loss that heritage assets can face. CRAFT project has identified 150 cultural heritage places in the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul which hazards of floods and landslides could endanger. An index for damage assessment has been developed. Thus, CRAFT project has provided input to allow the preparation of policy documents on cultural heritage which recognise the concept of the potential loss. Early signs of influencing current policies can be evident from: • Engagement with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Heritage Division Cooperation, an authority that is responsible for the management and maintenance of the historical heritage of Istanbul in discussing ways to transfer the research findings into policies and practices. • Invitation to participate in national cultural heritage policymaking discussion in Turkey. As an example, the Metropolitan Municipality of the City of Bursa and UNESCO Bursa Site Management Unit held a panel entitled "Cultural Heritage, Climate Change and Sustainability Panel" on 15 June 2022. Out of the four speakers on the panel, three were from the CRAFT project team. The project produced a risk map for cultural heritage in Istanbul. This map will be used by AFAD, the Disaster Management Agency and the Istanbul Municipality in Urban planning and emergency response plan. The project trained young researchers on cultural heritage risk assessment. Two postdoctoral researchers in Durham and three researchers in Turkey were involved in the project and received training, which will form a basis for their independent professional work in the future and enable them to train the next generation of researchers and practitioners. CRAFT has also successfully delivered a number of knowledge transfer events, including: 1. An online short training course on "Disaster management and natural hazards for cultural heritage was delivered on 22 February 2022 with a total of 132 participants from the UK, Turkey, India, Germany, Japan, Algeria, Taiwan, Italy and Azerbaijan. 2. An international online workshop on climate risk assessment for cultural heritage was held on 23 February 2022, attended by 113 participants. Both events have attracted participants from universities, research institutes, government agencies, cultural heritage protection agencies, municipalities, members from other related international projects (PROCULTHER and PRAXIS) and NGOs. Discussion sessions were held to share experiences and encourage the rapid exploitation of the concepts developed in the study. CRAFT findings were presented at COP27 to encourage the rapid exploitation of the concepts developed in CRAFT as part of the side event entitled "Collaboration in research and development: Centre for Law and Policy in Sustainable development, in the Education Hub.
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
 
Description TRAINING COURSE ON DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT / NATURAL HAZARDS FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact The majority of the training attendees reported a change of knowledge and gaining new skills to tackle the impact of climate change.
 
Description Developing a novel Climate change Risk Assessment Framework for cultural heritage in Turkey (CRAFT)- Phase II
Amount £87,354 (GBP)
Funding ID AH/X006816/1 
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2023 
End 01/2024
 
Description European partnership on cultural heritage 
Organisation Autonomous University of Madrid
Country Spain 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and sharing of CRAFT project findings
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and share of knowledge and findings from research projects led by the partners
Impact The partners form a consortium and developed a bid for Horizon 2020 grant.
Start Year 2022
 
Description European partnership on cultural heritage 
Organisation Institute of Studies on Mediterranean Societies
Country Italy 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and sharing of CRAFT project findings
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and share of knowledge and findings from research projects led by the partners
Impact The partners form a consortium and developed a bid for Horizon 2020 grant.
Start Year 2022
 
Description European partnership on cultural heritage 
Organisation Middle East Technical University
Country Turkey 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and sharing of CRAFT project findings
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and share of knowledge and findings from research projects led by the partners
Impact The partners form a consortium and developed a bid for Horizon 2020 grant.
Start Year 2022
 
Description European partnership on cultural heritage 
Organisation Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Country Spain 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and sharing of CRAFT project findings
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and share of knowledge and findings from research projects led by the partners
Impact The partners form a consortium and developed a bid for Horizon 2020 grant.
Start Year 2022
 
Description European partnership on cultural heritage 
Organisation University of Coimbra
Country Portugal 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and sharing of CRAFT project findings
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and share of knowledge and findings from research projects led by the partners
Impact The partners form a consortium and developed a bid for Horizon 2020 grant.
Start Year 2022
 
Description European partnership on cultural heritage 
Organisation University of Montenegro
Country Montenegro 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and sharing of CRAFT project findings
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and share of knowledge and findings from research projects led by the partners
Impact The partners form a consortium and developed a bid for Horizon 2020 grant.
Start Year 2022
 
Description European partnership on cultural heritage 
Organisation University of Sousse
Country Tunisia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Knowledge exchange and sharing of CRAFT project findings
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge exchange and share of knowledge and findings from research projects led by the partners
Impact The partners form a consortium and developed a bid for Horizon 2020 grant.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Partnership on cultural heritage with policymakers in Turkey 
Organisation Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency
Country Turkey 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The CRAF team share knowledge and research results with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Collaborator Contribution The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality share data and exchange knowledge on current policies and practices. The partners provide the project team with the necessary permissions to carry out their research.
Impact Speakers from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality have contributed to the training course and the workshop organised by the project.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Partnership on cultural heritage with policymakers in Turkey 
Organisation Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Country Turkey 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The CRAF team share knowledge and research results with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Collaborator Contribution The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality share data and exchange knowledge on current policies and practices. The partners provide the project team with the necessary permissions to carry out their research.
Impact Speakers from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality have contributed to the training course and the workshop organised by the project.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Cultural Heritage, Climate Change and Sustainability Panel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The Metropolitan Municipality of the City of Bursa and UNESCO Bursa Site Management Unit held a panel entitled "Cultural Heritage, Climate Change and Sustainability Panel" on 15 June 2022 to discuss cultural heritage policies in Turkey. Out of the four speakers on the panel, three were from the CRAFT project team. Attendees showed interest in the project findings. Invitations for collaboration were received from serval agencies and stakeholder
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Engagement with Istanbul Municipality 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Several meetings were held with Istanbul Municipality to discuss current policies and share knowledge on the conservation of historical sites and monuments. A strong collaboration was established between the two parties and further collaboration is discussed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Workshop on CLIMATE CHANGE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact On 23 February 2022 an online international workshop was held on climate risk assessment for cultural heritage. The program and the list of speakers can be seen 118 people attended the workshop. Participants were from universities, research institutes, government agencies, cultural heritage protection agencies, municipalities, members from other related international projects (PROCULTHER and PRAXIS) and NGO's. Question-Answer and Discussion sessions were held to develop interaction and communication among the participants and the speakers and share experiences.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022