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August 15, 2024-GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
The "Search Conference" aimed at "Building Resilient Cities," hosted by Gebze Technical University (GTU) on the 25th anniversary of the 17th August 1999 Earthquake, is successfully and efficiently held. The event provides a significant platform to strengthen cooperation between academia, local governments, and industrialists and to create shared areas of interaction.
The event was attended by GTU Vice-Rectors Prof. Damla Arısan and Prof. Mahmut Durmuş, GTU Secretary-General Nadir Yıldırım, academics, disaster and emergency management divisions from the municipalities of Gebze, Çayırova, Darıca, and Dilovası, representatives from organized industrial zones, chambers of commerce and industry, and members of the press.
The meeting, held at GTU Congress and Cultural Center, began with a moment of silence in memory of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our martyrs, followed by the national anthem. The opening speech was delivered by Prof. Damla Arısan. Emphasizing the importance of working together and sharing ideas, Prof. Arısan stated that such collaborative efforts produce the most effective solutions.
While stressing the importance of becoming resilient against disasters, Prof. Arısan noted that this requires not only preparation, but also cooperation based on shared wisdom. She added, “Kocaeli is an important hub for academia and research. Bringing together local stakeholders such as chambers of commerce and industry at Gebze Technical University, an international university with global collaborations, enhances the value of the work being done.”
Following the opening speech, the documentary "History of Earthquakes," prepared and directed by journalist İsmail Kahraman, was screened. Subsequently, Prof. Bülent Akbaş presented the MARTEST Project, conducted jointly by Japan and GTU. Asst. Prof. Ceren Özer-Sözdinler provided insights on "Tsunamis in Historical Context," Asst. Prof. Ahmet Anıl Dindar discussed "Monitoring the Seismic Activities of the North Anatolian Fault Line with Fiber Optic Cable and DAS System," Prof. Selçuk Toprak spoke on "Urban Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Prevention Awareness," Prof. Arif Çağdaş Aydınoğlu covered "Geographic Information Systems and Smart Cities," Prof. Elif Özlem Aydın presented on "Architecture and Urban Planning for Resilient Cities," and Asst. Prof. Zeynep Deniz Yaman offered information on the "Reconstruction Process After Disasters." They informed participants about the projects they are working on to create resilient cities against disasters.
In the final part of the conference, the efforts made for a resilient Kocaeli were evaluated. Strategies for cooperation on resilient cities were developed by gathering the opinions of representatives from the municipalities of Gebze, Çayırova, Darıca, and Dilovası, as well as representatives from organized industrial zones and chambers of commerce and industry.
The event was an important step towards raising earthquake awareness and building more resilient cities against future disasters. |
