SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF PART OF HISTORIC CENTER OF SKOPJE

Urban historic centers, consisting mostly of vulnerable unreinforced stone and brick masonry structures constructed without seismic design considerations, experience significant earthquake damage. This paper uses a vulnerability index method to obtain and discuss a pre-earthquake vulnerability assessment of a representative part of Skopje's Old Bazaar. This method calculates a score for each building based on a weighted sum of key parameters related to its seismic response, categorizing them into different vulnerability classes. The vulnerability index has been previously adapted and calibrated to reflect the unique features of Skopje's urban historic center. The research aims to create a seismic vulnerability map for the Bazaar, ultimately safeguarding the urban historic center of Skopje and protecting lives through timely structural assessments and the identification of the most at-risk buildings. The research draws on recent advancements in the field, utilizing calibrated methodologies based on data from past earthquakes and extensive knowledge of the historic buildings in the Old Bazaar. Consequently, the results are sustainable and can be effectively applied to the entire historic center of Skopje, as well as modified for other hazard events in the future.