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Turkey is known for its rich history and culture, for spectacular heritage buildings and record-breaking structures. Throughout history famous Turkish architects like Sinan (approx. 1490 to 1558) – who clearly had a profound understanding of structural behaviour – have shaped the built environment and left a legacy of structures that have inspired generations and are still in use and part of daily life to this day.
One that has always filled me with admiration is the Hagia Sophia building complex, which has served as basilica, mosque and museum during its long service life. Construction of the current building started during the East Roman Empire in 532 and despite severe damage to the dome due to earthquakes, which resulted in reconstruction of the dome following an earthquake in 558, it remained the world's largest dome for almost 900 years. Hagia Sophia is included as part of UNESCO’s Historic Areas of Istanbul World Heritage Site.
Turkey also has a remarkable tradition of building long-span bridges. From the First Bosphoprus Bridge with a main span of 1074m completed in 1973; the Second Bosphorus Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge) completed in 1988 with a slightly longer main span of 1090m; to the unique hybrid suspension and cable stayed bridge, recipient of IABSE's Outstanding Structure Award Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (main span 1408m) completed in 2016, which was the same year as Osman Gazi Bridge with its main span of 1550m opened to traffic. And now, the new world-record suspension bridge with its main span of 2023m: The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, which opened to traffic in March 2022. This was the first bridge ever to break the 2km free span barrier. The International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Symposium 2023 in Istanbul will very appropriately celebrate long-span bridges.
IABSE is delighted to be invited to Istanbul by the Turkish Group of IABSE. Founded in 1955, the Turkish Group of IABSE was established to promote modern bridge engineering technologies in the country. The Organising Committee, chaired by Mr Alp Caner, and the Scientific Committee, chaired by Mr Polat Gülkan, are preparing a very exciting programme with topics ranging from design and construction practices of long-span bridges, including new and older bridge designs, operation and maintenance, repair and rehabilitation, including seismic retrofitting, and use of digitalisation in bridge engineering.
This is an excellent opportunity for civil and structural engineers, architects, representatives of public agencies, academia, contractors, suppliers, and associated professionals interested in long-span bridges to share knowledge and build international relationships. One of the highlights of the Symposium will be the technical tours that will allow participants to get acquainted with Turkey's remarkable bridges, while at the same time benefitting from the networking opportunities. The visit to the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in the western part of Turkey will be an exceptional experience.
On behalf of the Association, I would like to thank the Turkish Group for organising the Symposium in Istanbul in April 2023. I look forward to reconnecting with our members and to welcoming new participants in Istanbul. A special invitation goes to young engineers born in or after 1989 to sign up and enjoy the Young Engineers Programme, as well as the networking opportunities with experienced members of the profession. Please join us!
Tina Vejrum
President
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