Eskişehir Technical University (ESTU) has achieved a significant milestone with the approval of the “Ecological Planning and Design for Disaster Management – EPD-Net” project under the Erasmus+ “Alliances for Innovation” call. Coordinated by Prof. Dr. Alper Çabuk, the project brings together faculty from ESTU’s International Relations Office, Institute of Earth and Space Sciences, Faculty of Architecture and Design, and Faculty of Engineering, alongside 19 partners from eight countries.
With a €1.5 million budget and a duration of 36 months, EPD-Net will be implemented in collaboration with higher education institutions, businesses, public bodies, and NGOs across Europe.
Building Resilient and Sustainable Cities
EPD-Net aims to address the growing impacts of natural disasters by integrating ecological planning and design into disaster management education and practice. The project seeks to create sustainable and resilient cities, particularly in light of major disasters such as the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Its goals include raising awareness, reducing losses, and enhancing the capacity to meet critical needs during crises.
Key outputs include an AI-powered training module and a collaborative network expected to contribute significantly to disaster preparedness and response processes.
Advancing Sustainability, Digitalization, and Green Skills
As part of the “Alliances for Innovation” call under Erasmus+, EPD-Net aligns with priorities such as green transformation, digitalization, and social inclusivity. The project focuses on fostering green skills, advancing sustainable practices, and strengthening digital tools in disaster management, reinforcing the alignment between education and labor market needs.
This groundbreaking initiative will not only contribute to ESTU’s internationalization goals but also provide innovative solutions for disaster management across Europe.
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