IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

Climate change, rapid urbanization, and increasing disaster risks are transforming not only the physical fabric of cities but also the continuity of place-based identities embedded in the built environment. In high-risk regions, where both everyday architecture and culturally embedded construction practices are vulnerable, there is a growing need to integrate digital technologies into sustainable and resilient urban development. This research investigates how multidisciplinary engineering management, supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Building Information Modelling (BIM), can enhance disaster resilience while informing future urban systems. Drawing on a systematic literature review and comparative case studies, the study examines how predictive risk assessment, structural health monitoring, and digital simulation tools contribute to adaptive infrastructure planning across diverse socio-economic contexts. Positioned within the discourse of digital heritage, the paper highlights how technologically enabled approaches can coexist with local materials, vernacular construction practices, and community-led rebuilding processes, ensuring continuity between cultural pasts and urban futures. The findings identify key barriers to implementation, including financial constraints, fragmented policies, and limited digital infrastructure, particularly in developing regions. The study proposes recommendations on risk-based lifecycle planning, climate-responsive design, and digital innovation to support resilient and context-sensitive urban development. By linking technological advancement with socio-cultural and spatial considerations, the research contributes to emerging debates on how cities can adapt to future uncertainties while maintaining their connection to place and identity.