Message from the Organising Committee

Alp Caner                                                                Chair, OC		Mustafa Can Yücel Vice Chair, OC

       

We extend to the world-wide community of all bridge and structural engineers our invitation to the IABSE Symposium 2023 in Istanbul. It's a 3-day event, with the first 2-days set aside for the technical sessions, followed by a technical tour on Friday, 28 April of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, currently the world's longest central span of 2023 m. The symposium will bring together the global bridge engineering fellowship to discuss the latest developments in design, construction, maintenance and health monitoring of long span bridges. More than 100 international speakers are expected to attend the symposium from different parts of the world to exchange opinions and experience represented by long span bridges.

The Turkish National Group of IABSE in collaboration with International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) is the principal host for the Symposium. The Turkish National Group, Turkish Bridge and Structural Engineering has been founded in 1955 to promote high standards for every aspect of modern bridge engineering in the country. Since the beginning of its activities, it has also served as the Turkish Group for IABSE. The Association has provided an elevated professional forum for the national as well as the global community of bridge engineers. By offering a variety of channels for communication, members of the group can exchange professional and scholarly ideas and join international discussions platforms.

Objective and Scope

Design and construction of long span bridges has a long history of more than 200 years. The famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York has been built in early 1900’s and is still serving millions of people who live on either side of East River that it spans. Over the years a succession of record breaking main spans have been built in many parts of the world culminating in the completion of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in western Turkey. Surely its span length record will be broken someday as engineers face greater challenges to build more impressive bridges to meet peoples’ increased needs.

The objective of the symposium is to identify differences in design and construction practices of long-span bridges built over the past 100 years. In this scope, new and older bridge designs, maintenance techniques, inspection methods, repair and rehabilitation techniques, seismic retrofit methods and use of digitalization in bridge engineering will be discussed.

Symposium Format

It's a 3-day event, with the first 2-days set aside for the technical sessions, followed by a technical tour on Friday, 28 April of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge. International structural engineering meeting bringing together students, designers, contractors, owners and experts from around the world to exchange cutting-edge knowledge and networking.

Keynote Speakers will introduce relevant topics to the theme and give a state-of-the-art lectures, followed by presentations in Plenary and Parallel Sessions. The large majority of the presentations will be delivered orally in normal sessions, nevertheless, special sessions will take place as well.

Keynote Sessions will be given by renowned experts of each theme of the Symposium and will address the most innovative findings of their ongoing work. Special Sessions will grant the opportunity to present developments related to a specific topic proposed by highly respected individuals on that field of research or technical practice. Each contribution to these sessions consists of a paper of six to eight pages and an oral presentation followed by an open floor discussion for the audience to participate in.

Who should attend?

Academics, professional engineers, bridge owners and students should attend the many different events to discuss the challenges in long span bridges and meet their peers.

Organising Committee

Alp Caner (Chair)
Mustafa Can Yucel (Vice Chair)
Polat Gülkan
Bruno Briseghella
Stoyan Ivanov

about ISTANBUL  city 

Istanbul, formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the most populous city in Turkiye and the country’s economic, cultural and historic centre. Istanbul is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, straddling the Bosporus strait (which separates Europe and Asia) between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.

The glorious Istanbul continues to fascinate visitors and locals alike with its vibrancy and great variety. May it be in arts & culture, eating & drinking, shopping or sports, there is always something new in Istanbul for everyone and every taste. Touring Istanbul’s ornate houses of worship and palaces could keep history buffs busy for weeks. Most attractions are clustered in the Fatih area, though districts like Beyoglu (where Taksim Square resides) and Besiktas (which features Ortaköy and Dolmabahçe Palace) are no less exciting! The Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum are essential, but simply exploring the street traffic and observing daily life here is equally fascinating. Food is a central part of the culture, so menus should be studied just as seriously as a map! And you should check out the many bazaars around town when looking for souvenirs, but if you only have time for one, be sure to visit the largest and most famous: the Grand Bazaar.

VENUE 

   

  Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy,  Luxury Hotel by the Sea of Marmara

Ataköy 2-5-6. Kısım, Rauf Orbay Caddesi Sahil Yolu No:2/1, Bakırköy, Istanbul, 34158, Turkiye

Experience the convergence of comfort, culture, and convenience during your stay at Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy. Discover Istanbul’s history as you explore sights such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, then return to your spacious guest room, offering contemporary décor and spectacular city and sea views.

Getting around Istanbul is easy with Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy as your home base. The Hotel is close to myriad bus and train stations. Where will a short trip through Istanbul take you? The Old City, Galleria Shopping Mall, CNR Expo, Blue Mosque, and other destinations popular with business travelers and tourists alike.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

The following rates have been arranged at Symposium venue, Hyatt Regency Hotel Atakoy (deluxe) Address: Ataköy 2-5-6. Kısım, Rauf Orbay Caddesi Sahil Yolu No:2/1, Bakırköy, Istanbul, 34158, Turkiye

• Single room (Club rooms) : € 230 per night
• Double room (Club rooms): € 255 per night

Rates are inclusive of Breakfast, VAT and free WIFI. Should taxes change rates will be adjusted accordingly.

These special rates apply during the Symposium dates. Depending on availability, the hotel may extend the given rate during the weekend before and after the Symposium dates.

Reservation Deadline

The Symposium participants are responsible for making their own reservation via the online booking link established at the IABSE Official Symposium web site by April 24 April 2023. You may also contact K2 Conference & Event Management for enquiries.

Hyatt Regency Ataköy Hotel is fully booked; please contact Symposium Secretariat (iabse2023@k2-events.com) for any accommodation requests. Hotel will provide rooms if only any cancellation is received.

Getting to Venue

By bus: The nearest bus station to Hyatt Regency Atakoy

Hotel is Gezi Yolu Bus Station and maps, timetables, fares

and route planning are available in English at the Istanbul Bus

Transport website https://iett.istanbul/en

Useful Websites

İstanbul Airport: www.istairport.com
Currency converter: www.xe.com/ucc
Central bank exchange rateswww.tcmb.gov.tr
Istanbul (information about) and Official Tourist Board https//istanbul.ktb.gov.tr/
Public Transport in Istanbulhttps://iett.istanbul/en
Istanbul Metro Informationhttps://www.metro.istanbul/en/

Social Programme

Welcome Reception 

You are invited to join us for the official Welcome Reception, taking place on 26 April at 19:00 at Vue Lounge on top of Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy.

  Vue Lounge, Hyatt Regency Istanbul

Networking Event Dinner 

The networking event will be a boat cruise dinner around the Bosphorus, with an unique view of the Straits and the three suspension bridges connecting Asia and Europe, the two sides of Istanbul, at night. 

    

    Networking Event Dinner Boat Cruise along the Bosphorus

    27 April 2023, 19:00-23:30

Meeting point: Lobby at the Hyatt Atakoy Hotel

Bus departure: 27 April 2023,19:00

Dress code: Causal smart Please bring warm clothes.

Dinner: Buffet

Price: 105 Euro