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Glossary for gem taxonomy

Authors: Luke Allen, Andrew Charleson, Svetlana Brzev, and Charles Scawthorn

This online Glossary explains around 400 terms contained in the GEM Building Taxonomy v 2.0 and nearly 700 images.

The terms have been listed in alphabetical and numerical order. Text description of each term is accompanied by illustrations (photos and/or drawings) where possible.

We welcome contributions in the form of photographs or images, illustrating glossary terms. If you have any questions you can also contact us at buildingtaxonomy@globalquakemodel.org


A building, usually located on a street corner, with adjoining or attached buildings on two sides. This includes mid-terrace buildings, buildings which are a part of the row of at least three buildings, or corner buildings with adjoining buildings on two perpendicular sides.

BP2_diagram_2

Example 1: the building shown in black in this plan is located within a block and it has adjoining buildings on two sides.

BPC_diagram_1

Example 2: the building shown in black in this plan view is located on a corner and has adjoining buildings on two perpendicular sides.

BP2_Canada_Brzev_1

An example of a building within a block with adjoining buildings on two sides, Vancouver, Canada (left photo: S. Brzev, right: Map data ©2013 Google, Province of British Columbia, DigitalGlobe)

BPC_NewZealand_Allen_1

A corner building with adjoining buildings on two perpendicular sides, New Zealand (L. Allen).

BPC_TalcaChile_Brzev_1

A corner building with adjoining buildings on two perpendicular sides, Talca, Chile (S. Brzev).

BP2_NewZealand_Allen_3

Terrace housing with adjoining houses on two sides, New Zealand (L. Allen)

BP2_ SantiagoChile_Brzev_1

A midrise building in Santiago, Chile with adjoining low-rise buildings on two sides (S. Brzev)

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