Growing environmental and natural challenges define our era and remind us of the necessity of long-term planning for cities that are both adaptive and fortified against such threats. As recently reminded by the February 6 earthquakes, the imperative to talk about resilient cities is even more urgent in Turkey. Add to that the increasing number of heatwaves and wildfires, heavy rainfalls and floods, and prolonged droughts our cities face with the intensifying impacts of the climate crisis.
Columbia Global Centers | Istanbul, in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General Istanbul, is organizing a public panel to investigate the twin threats of climate change and earthquakes. Titled "Urban Futurity: Navigating Climate and Seismic Resilience," this event will provide a platform for insightful discussions on strategies to enhance resilience and risk mitigation, with a primary focus on cultivating sustainable urban landscapes.
By addressing the particular impacts of climate change and seismic activities, the panel aims to shed light on innovative planning, engineering, and policy interventions that can bolster urban infrastructure's ability to withstand shocks and stresses. Through engaging conversations, participants will gain insights into integrated urban planning, embracing green technologies, disaster preparedness strategies, and community engagement techniques. Furthermore, the panel will underscore the significance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders – from city planners and architects to researchers and community leaders – in crafting holistic solutions that harmonize long-term economic planning, environmental stewardship, and social equity. By unpacking the complexities of climate change and seismic vulnerabilities, the event strives to illuminate a path toward cities that are resilient and inclusive.
Join us for this compelling dialogue on September 26 at Columbia Global Centers | Istanbul's office to engage with our expert panelists and audience.
For any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Ata Turkoglu ([email protected]).
Address: Cihangir Mah., Sıraselviler Cd., No: 49, Floor: 2, Apartment: 5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
About the Speakers:
Illya Azaroff is an internationally recognized leader in disaster mitigation, resilient planning, and design strategies. He is an associate professor at New York City of Technology (CUNY) and serves as a technical expert for the New York Climate Impact Assessment appointed by Governor Hochul. As AIA New York state disaster coordinator, he founded the AIA Unified Task Force City and State addressing impacts of COVID19. Illya is advising HUD, the federal government, as part of the Resilient Housing Task force. His office is advancing culturally significant community resilience hubs and regenerative cluster housing in several communities across the world.
Ezgi Orhan is a faculty member at Çankaya University. She graduated from the City and Regional Planning Department of Middle East Technical University (METU) in 2007 and received her Ph.D. in 2012. Funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, her Ph.D. thesis is on the post-disaster recovery processes and location choices of businesses. She has been working as an associate professor in city planning since 2018. She worked in academic positions at METU, Pamukkale University, and Çankaya University and conducted international and national research projects as a consultant, manager, and researcher. She is affiliated as a resilience fellow at the 4TU Centre for Resilience Engineering, Netherlands. She has been publishing articles on disaster management, business geography, and risk reduction policies in internationally recognized journals.
