Throughout history, housing has been a central problem in the lives of human beings. Housing, which includes shelter for family and functional volumes that meet social needs, used to be built specifically for the family. The concept of “Mass Housing” entered the field of architecture as a result of the industrial revolution, when lavish Renaissance housing gradually turned into housing for workers. Today, the demand for housing cannot keep up with fast-growing populations. Besides the quantitative problems of housing production, there is the ever- growing problem of quality, the solution to which lies with designer architects. On this issue of quality, Post Occupation Evaluation (POE) studies, conducted to provide data for upcoming designs, and certificate evaluations like LEED and BREEAM, aimed at measuring energy performance effectiveness of new buildings, mostly involve measurements of usage of the building envelope, environmental relations, facilities and usage of natural resources. None prioritize the form and function issues of spatial usage in architectural designs. This study proposes a method that enables spatial and functional measurement and assessment at the project stage. The suggested spatial performance measurement–assessment system has three stages. In the first stage, the standards and usage criteria to be used as reference in the assessment are defined. The second stage suggests using the SAR analysis approach, and the third stage is about conducting “Spatial Performance Assessment”. Here, the common denominator of “User System” and “Building System”, which shares characteristic design criteria “Form, Function,Construction” is established and by this way, testing and assessing the subject of study becomes possible. With these assessments, by providing digitalization of spatial performance with proportional values, it is believed that a database for the provision of statistical information may be established.

Internationalization has been on the agenda of construction firms as a strategic option in global competition. Due to globalization every sector including the construction industry has faced with high levels of competitiveness, uncertainty, and risk. International construction involves common risks to domestic construction, as well as risks that are related to the host country. These risks have serious effects on the performance of international projects. Since the sustainable competitiveness of international contractors depends largely on the effective management of these risks, their assessment becomes vital for the success of international contractors. The main aim of this study is to analyse the risks for international construction projects that are related to the host country. Meta-analysis technique is used in order to determine these risks. This paper, therefore, reviews the literature that has been published in four most respected construction and management journals, these being; Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Journal of Management in Engineering, Construction Management and Economics, and International Journal of Project Management for the period of 2000-2010. International construction risk assessment models are also reviewed within the context of this study, since host country related risk factors were found to have serious effects on the profitability of international contractors due to literature review. As a result; political stability, law and regulations, exchange rate risk, cultural differences, inflation, expropriation, tax discrimination, language barrier, bribery and corruption, force majeure, and societal conflicts in the host country are found to be the most important risk factors in international construction. Findings of this study can be used in risk assessment models for international construction projects.

Süleymaniye Mosque, the central structure of one of the largest mosque complexes of the Ottoman Empire, has been and remains an inspirational edifice for many fields, including architectural acoustics and material science. Comprehensive studies are needed to assess the acoustic conditions of Süleymaniye Mosque in relation to its architectural elements, interior finish materials, and any changes which have occurred in acoustic comfort levels as a result of large-scale repairs the structure has been subjected to in its life time. In-situ acoustic tests were undertaken in 2013, immediately following final restoration work done between 2007-2011. These recent data were then compared to previously-published in-situ measurement data showing acoustic conditions in the Mosque after 1969 and 1980 restorations. Acoustic simulations were performed to represent and discuss activity patterns in the structure when full to capacity. As a result of architectural form-geometry and interior material factors, the acoustic field of the Mosque exhibited the presence of very high reverberation times in all field tests, especially at low frequencies. The Mosque was found to suffer from high background noise levels emanating from the mechanical systems introduced during the 2007-2011 restoration. This study also highlights the necessity for further investigations of the acoustic characteristics of burnt-clay pots and historical lime-based plasters. Both should be investigated further in order to scientifically prove their contribution to the acoustics of the Mosque and help to restore the structure’s original acoustic comfort conditions.

Istanbul and its immediate surroundings have witnessed many earthquakes from the 16th century to the present, the most severe of which were as follows: 10th September, 1509; 25th May, 1719; 22nd May, 1766; 10th July, 1894 and 17th August, 1999, the last of which is also known as the Marmara Earthquake. Chosen as the focus of this study were those earthquakes which, in light of their limitation of place, amplitude (magnitude) and time, led to the constitution of new post-earthquake housing practices. As a first step, general information about the 1509, 1719, 1766, 1894, 1999 earthquakes was appraised. Then, with the aim of providing holistic data for different disciplines that research this issue, the study examines the housing units constructed during the emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction stages in the the aftermath of the earthquakes. For the five earthquakes, the resulting data of post-earthquake housing practices are set out in such a way as to explain the historical process of the practices involved.

Turkey has been engaging in cross-border cooperation projects for over a decade, and these accelerated following the granting of EU candidacy status to Turkey. The major cross-border cooperation activities take place on the western border regions of Turkey, namely on Edirne and Kırklareli, two provinces which border EU member country Bulgaria. Here, under the auspices of the IPA-CBC programme, several projects have been realized targeting various sectors, from infrastructure development to joint festival preparations. In addition, various actors from public institutions related to central government, municipalities, business organizations and NGOs have been involved in the process of generating a diverse institutional structure. Based on a field study conducted in the summer of 2013, this study aims to explore the established institutional structure of cross-border cooperation in Edirne-Kırklareli Border Region, by analyzing the projects realized, and questioning central-local relations and perceptions of cross border cooperation projects among the local actors through in-depth interviews.