SEISMIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF EXISTING REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDINGS IN SKOPJE

The vulnerability of the built environment to seismic events has been increasingly evident, particularly in the Balkan region, where recent earthquakes have caused significant non-structural damage to both old and new buildings, often leading to restricted use. In North Macedonia, seismic design standards were introduced only after the catastrophic Skopje earthquake in 1963, with the first seismic code implemented in 1964. The construction of reinforced concrete buildings, which began at that time and continues even today, are now regarded as unique monuments of that era. These structures are a significant part of the urban landscape and reflect the evolution of engineering practices in the region. In recent years, there has been a focus on improving building features such as energy efficiency and facade renovations, but seismic evaluation and retrofitting have not been prioritized, as they are not required by national regulations.