Analysis of Earthquake Park Design Criteria: Cases in Ataşehir and Topkapı Parks, Istanbul

Abstract Earthquake parks are open spaces where sustenance, shelter and security needs required by people to sustain their daily lives after a disaster may be addressed. In this study, the use of Ataşehir and Topkapı earthquake parks as recreation areas before an earthquake and as a post-disaster park were examined from a space design aspect using on-site observations. Standards required for earthquake parks were determined, such as land location and suitability, transportation, size and function, infrastructure systems, structural and vegetative designs, whereas evaluations of these criteria were conducted at two parks. As a result of this study, it was identified that unlike traditional parks, designing earthquake parks according to site location and suitability, transportation, size and function, infrastructure systems, structural and planting design is important for post-disaster use.