Disaster Risk Management in Urban Areas focusing on Japan and Türkiye’s efforts

Disasters have been affecting urban and rural settlements throughout the human settlement’s history. Despite the high number of human losses in the past, today densely populated and extensive human settlements are more prone to disasters some of which are changing their impact area increasing frequency and intensity due to negative impact of climate change issues. Besides, human settlements have been increasingly vulnerable to several hazards that make human settlements high levels of disaster risks. There are current initiatives on the international agenda like Sendai Framework for Action and Making Cities Resilient 2030. This presentation will talk about ongoing changes about disaster risks affecting urban settlements and international efforts while managing disaster risks. There will be several examples from the cases of Japan and Türkiye while touching upon the disaster risk management efforts.

Meltem ŞENOL BALABAN, PhD., is working as Associate Professor in the City and Regional Planning Department (CRP) at Middle East Technical University (METU). Since August 2018, she holds the position of Director of METU Disaster Management Implementation and Research Center.

Dr. Balaban holds two PhD titles, one is focusing on flood disaster management and the associated risks for society and planning processes in Turkish cities, the other one is aiming at spatial distribution of potential urban spaces used as evacuation and temporary shelter sites in Istanbul via GIS-based model. 

She is very familiar with all relevant national and international DRM methodologies and concepts, and authored a wealth of publications in relevant fields. Main focus of her work is on integrating GIS in planning processes, risk management and mitigation planning, urban flood risk management, GIS-based modelling in mitigation planning. 

« Trait d’urbain » is a seminar series organised by the « Urban matters » research collective for researchers to present and discuss their work in progress.

Free entry.