The potential of GIS-based story maps to support public interpretation of seismic risk -A pilot study on linking social and geological data of three Istanbul neighbourhoods

Istanbul has one of the highest seismic vulnerabilities in the world. However, in most cases, citizens perceive earthquake risk as spatially and temporally remote and there is a significant lack of citizens’ seismic preparedness. Risk information is usually very technical, difficult to access, at times scientifically inaccurate, and does only insufficiently incorporate a sociocultural dimension of risk, or important local parameters relevant for inhabitants to take appropriate preparedness actions in their neighbourhood. In addition, risk maps published by the Istanbul municipality are often seen as an instrument for urban planning and prone to be manipulated because of economic or political interests. Hazard scientists, thus, are faced with the situation that communicating seismic risk is a complex, politicised, synergistic and interdisciplinary task, complicating their ability to effectively communicate to the public. The key motivation for this study is to convey scientific information in an engaging and stimulating way to others who do not have the background to grasp the significance of the reliable risk data that is available. As is often the common underpinning of risk preparedness, it makes sense to use maps as a common platform upon which to post further relevant information. In addition, to embed spatially referenced results in a fuller context allows correcting reports and resultant misconceptions often popularised in through the dominant media coverage. Therefore, the medium for this study will be an ArcGIS story map on the Istanbul earthquake risk that has the strength to combine science and storytelling, scientific and social data. Hazard and risk information will be interwoven with short documentary films from Istanbul citizens and geoscientists that describe their individual perspective on the topic of earthquake risk. By combining (local) storytelling and data visualisation, different layers and dimensions to inquiry and literacy become accessible, highlighting the plurality of different forms of knowledge on seismic risk. The hypothesis is that such a story map provides an opportunity for social learning between scientists and citizens and a processing of seismic risk data, leading to increased engagement, more local responsibility, and improved learning outcomes.