Developing a novel Climate change Risk Assessment Framework for cultural heritage in Turkey (CRAFT)- Phase II
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
There are clear indications of shifts in climatic patterns all around the world and climate change is considered the greatest threat facing humanity and its cultural heritage. UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 aims to "take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact" where the first target is stated as "Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries". Furthermore, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is an integral part of social and economic development and is essential if development is to be sustainable for the future. The 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises and reaffirms the urgent need to reduce the risk of disasters.
Flooding and landslides are one of the most destructive types of natural disasters in Turkey. Flood impacts in Turkey are felt severely in major cities of the country. Istanbul (the largest city in 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. Many parts of the old city centre (Historic Peninsula) of Istanbul were flooded. The Historic peninsula 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
The first phase of CRAFT addressed the urgent need for flooding and landslide susceptibility mapping of cultural heritage in Istanbul. We have 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 have recognised 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. We have identified two issues that need to be addressed in order to develop an effective framework for assessing climate impact on cultural heritage in Istanbul: (1) efficient communication and interaction between the different stakeholders and government agencies (2) human activities magnify the risks of floods in Istanbul and there is a need to raise public awareness on cultural heritage and the associated risks.
Therefore, in the second stage of the project, we focus on two strands of activities: (1) raising public awareness and (2) creating "Istanbul Heritage Forum", a platform for the protection of the heritage aiming at extending the results of the project beyond the project timeline. The IHF will be formed by representatives of the local community, and institutions.
Flooding and landslides are one of the most destructive types of natural disasters in Turkey. Flood impacts in Turkey are felt severely in major cities of the country. Istanbul (the largest city in 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. Many parts of the old city centre (Historic Peninsula) of Istanbul were flooded. The Historic peninsula 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
The first phase of CRAFT addressed the urgent need for flooding and landslide susceptibility mapping of cultural heritage in Istanbul. We have 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 have recognised 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. We have identified two issues that need to be addressed in order to develop an effective framework for assessing climate impact on cultural heritage in Istanbul: (1) efficient communication and interaction between the different stakeholders and government agencies (2) human activities magnify the risks of floods in Istanbul and there is a need to raise public awareness on cultural heritage and the associated risks.
Therefore, in the second stage of the project, we focus on two strands of activities: (1) raising public awareness and (2) creating "Istanbul Heritage Forum", a platform for the protection of the heritage aiming at extending the results of the project beyond the project timeline. The IHF will be formed by representatives of the local community, and institutions.
Organisations
- Durham University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (Collaboration)
- University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Collaboration)
- Middle East Technical University (Collaboration)
- Autonomous University of Madrid (Collaboration)
| Title | CRAFT Project Istanbul Documentary |
| Description | A short video on climate impacts on Istanbul's cultural heritage |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | The video on climate impacts on Istanbul's cultural heritage highlights several notable impacts resulting from its creation. The video raises awareness about the vulnerability of Istanbul's cultural heritage to climate change, educating viewers on the specific risks and challenges historical sites face. This is reflected in the several queries received and correspondence from the general audience. The video encourages community involvement and engagement in heritage conservation, fostering a sense of shared responsibility among locals and global audiences. The video advocates for more vigorous preservation efforts and climate adaptation strategies to protect these invaluable sites by showcasing the threats to cultural heritage. The video is also a showcase and efficient tool to communicate with government agencies and policymakers. |
| URL | https://youtu.be/cUjAv_tOFvo?si=F-A0Ear43Yb_5T_p |
| Title | CRAFT Projesi Istanbul Belgeseli |
| Description | A short video in Turkish showing the impact of climate change on istanbul cultural heritage. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | The video on climate impacts on Istanbul's cultural heritage highlights several notable impacts resulting from its creation. The video raises awareness about the vulnerability of Istanbul's cultural heritage to climate change, educating viewers on the specific risks and challenges historical sites face. This is reflected in the several queries received and correspondence from the general audience. The video encourages community involvement and engagement in heritage conservation, fostering a sense of shared responsibility among locals and global audiences. The video advocates for more vigorous preservation efforts and climate adaptation strategies to protect these invaluable sites by showcasing the threats to cultural heritage. The video is also a showcase and efficient tool to communicate with government agencies and policymakers. |
| URL | https://youtu.be/F26wYlCZyJg?si=V-FFJRwq5g2J-XNv |
| Description | 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. CRAFT project has identified a number of issues that need to be addressed in order to develop an effective framework for assessing climate impact on cultural heritage in Istanbul: • There is a difficulty in data collection as government agencies and local authorities have poor data collection and archiving systems. • There is an urgent need to improve communications and interaction between the different stakeholders and government agencies (particularly between National Disaster risk managers and Cultural Heritage managers). • As explained above, human activities magnify the risks of floods in Istanbul and there is a need to raise public awareness on cultural heritage and the associated risks. CRAFT has created a platform, "Istanbul Heritage forum", that involves local actors (communities, NGOs, institutions, cultural and education agencies) to tackle participatory conservation decision-making process, to collectively re-define values of heritage, to develop resilience measures against climate change, and to plan communication awareness-raising actions so as to extend the results of the project beyond the end date of the project. Partners in this forum includes Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Heritage Division Cooperation and the Turkish Disaster Management Presidency (AFAD). |
| Exploitation Route | 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. CRAFT project has identified a number of issues that need to be addressed in order to develop an effective framework for assessing climate impact on cultural heritage in Istanbul: • There is a difficulty in data collection as government agencies and local authorities have poor data collection and archiving systems. • There is an urgent need to improve communications and interaction between the different stakeholders and government agencies (particularly between National Disaster risk managers and Cultural Heritage managers). • As explained above, human activities magnify the risks of floods in Istanbul and there is a need to raise public awareness on cultural heritage and the associated risks. CRAFT has created a platform, "Istanbul Heritage forum", that involves local actors (communities, NGOs, institutions, cultural and education agencies) to tackle participatory conservation decision-making process, to collectively re-define values of heritage, to develop resilience measures against climate change, and to plan communication awareness-raising actions so as to extend the results of the project beyond the end date of the project. Partners in this forum include the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Heritage Division Cooperation and the Turkish Disaster Management Presidency (AFAD). |
| Sectors | Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| Description | A vulnerability assessment framework has been devised for Istanbul's cultural and historical assets. This model is founded on a vulnerability index, shedding light on the potential risks faced by heritage assets. The CRAFT project has meticulously identified 150 cultural heritage sites within the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul that are susceptible to hazards like floods and landslides. Additionally, an index for damage assessment has been meticulously crafted. Consequently, the CRAFT project has contributed valuable insights, enabling the formulation of policy documents that acknowledge the concept of potential loss. In collaboration with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Heritage Division and AFAD- the Turkish National Disaster Presidency, CRAFT project has established the "Istanbul Heritage Forum", that involves local actors (communities, NGOs, institutions, cultural and education agencies) to tackle participatory conservation decision-making process, to collectively re-define values of heritage, to develop resilience measures against climate change, and to plan communication awareness-raising actions so as to extend the results of the project beyond the end date of the project. CRAFT has organised an influenced training for early career researchers and professionals on assessment of cultural heritage under flood and landslide risk due to climate change. The training has attracted 66 participants from 31 countries across the world (we have participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and North America). Among the participants, there are 25 PhD students. A survey was conducted, and the majority of the attendees reported a change in concepts and awareness of the impact of climate change on cultural heritage. CRAFT has organised a knowledge transfer workshop in Istanbul, which has attracted a wide range of participants from academia, government agencies and NGOs. This workshop has detailed plans for open-source data sharing is crucial for addressing the impact of climate changes on cultural heritage. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Description | CRAFT II online training course |
| 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. |
| URL | https://yildiz-edu-tr.zoom.us/rec/play/uyR_GdlBhMktb2mMLjnmKsQWXXuahVU4XV8i5jNTzd6vzf5hbLGeEBAbDdPAQ... |
| Description | Management Committee of CHARM project |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The implementation of disaster risk reduction (DRR) practices in a pilot cultural heritage site is expected to influence policy, practice, and public awareness by integrating risk management into heritage conservation. Policymakers may strengthen legal frameworks to mandate risk assessments and mitigation measures, aligning national regulations with international best practices. Conservation professionals will adopt scenario-based strategies to enhance disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, ensuring the protection of historical structures. These strategies may serve as a model for other heritage sites, promoting broader adoption of DRR practices. Increased public awareness and community engagement will encourage local participation in safeguarding cultural heritage, while improved safety measures will benefit visitors and residents. Additionally, the documentation of completed risk reduction studies will support knowledge sharing and capacity building among stakeholders. Evidence of these changes can be seen in the AFAD's policy adoption. |
| Description | RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES IN CULTURAL HERITAGE |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Dr. Nejan Huvaj's presentations at the training event organised by Dr Yasemin Didem Aktas at UCL on October 15, 2024, played a significant role in advancing awareness and knowledge on ground and foundation-related damages affecting cultural heritage sites in Türkiye. Attended by members of the Turkish Disaster Agency (AFAD) and UK researchers, the event led to important discussions on risk assessment and mitigation strategies, particularly for flood and landslide risks in Istanbul's historical areas. The insights shared have triggered AFAD to reassess its risk models and work toward integrating updated geotechnical data into disaster management policies. Additionally, the presentation on ground improvement techniques introduced valuable practical solutions that are now being considered for application in heritage preservation projects. The exchange of expertise has also fostered strong interest in collaborative research between Turkish and UK institutions, with active discussions on joint studies and funding opportunities. These developments mark a meaningful step forward in improving disaster preparedness and the protection of Türkiye's cultural heritage. |
| URL | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/epicentre/news/2024/oct/training-activity-risk-reduction-strategies-cultural-h... |
| Description | Whispers of Time: Heritage as Narratives Of Climate-Change |
| Amount | £165,991 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/Z000076/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2024 |
| End | 06/2027 |
| Description | Heritage as Narratives of Climate-Change |
| 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 formed a consortium that won about 0.9M Euros from Belmont Forum- Climate and Cultural Heritage scheme |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Heritage as Narratives of Climate-Change |
| 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 formed a consortium that won about 0.9M Euros from Belmont Forum- Climate and Cultural Heritage scheme |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Heritage as Narratives of Climate-Change |
| Organisation | University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" |
| Country | Italy |
| 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 formed a consortium that won about 0.9M Euros from Belmont Forum- Climate and Cultural Heritage scheme |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Istanbul Heritage Forum partners |
| Organisation | Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency |
| Country | Turkey |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The CRAF team share knowledge and research results with the partners of the Istanbul Heritage Forum. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators share data and exchange knowledge on current policies and practices. The partners also give the project team 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 | 2023 |
| Description | Istanbul Heritage Forum partners |
| Organisation | Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality |
| Country | Turkey |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The CRAF team share knowledge and research results with the partners of the Istanbul Heritage Forum. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators share data and exchange knowledge on current policies and practices. The partners also give the project team 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 | 2023 |
| Description | CLIMATE CHANGE & CULTURAL HERITAGE WORKSHOP |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | CRAFT project has organised a workshop on 3 February 2024 at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul. The workshop attracted 52 Participants from government agencies, academia, NGOs, and sectors related to cultural heritage. Question-answer and Discussion sessions were held to develop interaction and communication among the participants and the speakers and to share experiences. The workshop launched the Istanbul Heritage Forum as a platform for data sharing and knowledge transfer on policies and practices of cultural heritage and climate change in Turkey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | CRAFT: Istanbul Heritage Platform |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | This online platform aimed to raise awareness on the impact of landslides and flash floods on selected cultural heritage sites in Istanbul under future climate scenarios. The platform aimed to provides resouces and information related to impact of climate change. Several requests for engagement and more information about the project were recieved. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://craft-ce.metu.edu.tr |
| Description | The Role of Cultural Heritage in Confronting the Climate Crisis and Environmental Disasters |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We have participated in the People's Palace Projects online webinars. These online conversations explored the subject "The Role of Cultural Heritage in Confronting the Climate Crisis and Environmental Disasters". The webinar series was an opportunity to share research methodologies on climate and cultural heritage from different parts of the world. Our webinar (23 May 2023) has attracted 127 participants, mostly from Brazil and South America. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0EcXeKgihA&ab_channel=People%27sPalaceProjects |
| Description | Workshop at the Academy of Sciences-Vienna |
| 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 | Knowledge and experience of the CRAFT project were shared at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna from 15th-16th December 2023 at an archaeological workshop on "Early Medieval Irrigation Systems in the Kathmandu Valley: Evaluating the Past for the Future". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.oeaw.ac.at/fileadmin/Institute/IKGA/PDF/events/Irrigation_systems_Kathmandu_-_workshop_p... |
| Description | Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | At the workshop "Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies" organized by CHARM Project team on 3-4 July 2024 in Ankara, Turkiye, Dr. Banu Gokmen Erdogan and Dr. Meltem Senol Balaban gave presentations, and Dr. Nejan Huvaj was also among the participants at the event. The event was attended mainly by government agencies and Turkish Disaster Agency (AFAD) staff, total of about 70 people. - Dr. Banu Gokmen Erdogan's presentation "Preparation of Risk Reduction Guide" - Dr. Meltem Senol Balaban's presentation "Developing a Novel Climate Change Risk Assessment Framework for Cultural Heritage in Turkey" The presentations sparked discussions and interest to further collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |