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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Focusing on Goal #11
The mission of Eastern Mediterranean University's Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) is to improve understanding of and deliver innovative responses to urban challenges by providing a forum of contributions to the quality of urban environment to promote sustainable urban settlements. Read More
For the 2026 academic year, the Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) at Eastern Mediterranean University adopts “Public Space and Social Resilience” as its overarching theme. This focus reflects URDC’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsive urban environments. Building on its established work in public space, urban design, and sustainability, the theme responds to the evolving spatial, social, and environmental challenges shaping Northern Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region
On Friday, October 2, 2026, Giulia Bertolucci and Rodolfo Collodi from the Italian firm Studio AxS – Architettura x Sostenibilità conducted a seminar at our university titled "Sustainability Applied at Every Scale." Hosted and organized by the EMU Urban Research and Development Center (URDC), the seminar featured the two Studio AxS partners sharing their experiences and ecological architectural approaches—which integrate sustainability into the design process across various scales—with our students and faculty members.
Giulia Bertolucci and Rodolfo Collodi, the partners of Studio AxS, introduced the ecological approach to architecture that integrates sustainability into their design process across different scales.
Throughout the seminar, particular attention was given to the design of healthy, safe, and energy-efficient buildings, as well as to sustainable strategies for the renovation and improvement of existing building stock. The speakers discussed ecological approaches to new construction, environmentally responsible renovation, and energy requalification, highlighting methods for reducing energy consumption while improving indoor comfort and overall building performance. To support the discussion with practical examples, they also presented real-life buildings and completed projects developed by their office, allowing students and instructors to see how these sustainability principles are applied in actual architectural practice.
The presentation also addressed the importance of responsible material use, energy efficiency, and long-term resilient approaches to the design and transformation of the built environment.
Following the seminar, students and instructors participated in an engaging discussion by raising a number of relevant and thought-provoking questions related to sustainable design, renovation strategies, energy efficiency, and architectural practice. Giulia Bertolucci and Rodolfo Collodi responded to the questions and shared further insights from their professional experience, creating a valuable exchange between architectural education and professional practice.
The seminar provided students and instructors with an opportunity to gain further insight into the practical application of sustainability in architecture and to reflect on the role and responsibility of architects and interior architects in contributing to healthier, more environmentally responsive, and energy-efficient built environments.
The Fourth Issue of Our Newsletter Is Online Now!
We are pleased to announce the publication of the fourth summer issue of our Newsletter, which covers all activities and projects completed in the 2025-2026 Academic Year Spring Semester.
To see the full issue please press 
4. Issue
On World Environment Day, EMU URDC, in collaboration with the EMU-SDGs Club, highlights the importance of environmental stewardship and collective action in creating a more sustainable future.
This PSA was prepared by our student and EMU-SDGs Club member, ZAKIRA NASER KHAN, as part of the course Arch320 - The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, in the Department of Architecture undergraduate program. It emphasizes the responsibility we all share in protecting natural resources, reducing environmental impacts, and promoting sustainable practices in our daily lives. Environmental sustainability is a collective commitment that supports healthier communities, resilient ecosystems, and a better future for generations to come.
To watch our PSA press YouTube
On 3 June 2026, a documentary screening and panel discussion titled “There Is No Other Cyprus" was held at the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Activity Center to mark World Environment Day (5 June). The event was organized jointly by EMU's Urban Research and Development Center (URDC/KENT-AG), Social Sensitivity Center (TDM), the Famagusta Women's Center Association (MAKAMER), and the Yeniboğaziçi Women's Association (YEKAD).
The event focused on the rapid environmental degradation in northern Cyprus resulting from uncontrolled urbanisation, overdevelopment, pollution, and climate change. Following the screening of the documentary, experts from different disciplines discussed environmental challenges and sustainable solutions. Read more
The event will be in Turkish language
As the Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center, we are pleased to invite all our university members and the public to the “2026 World Environment Day Event,” which we are among the organisers of.
At this event, held under the theme “A Global Call for Climate Action,” we will collectively discuss topics such as environmental awareness, the climate crisis, and sustainable living.
Following a screening of the documentary There Is No Other Cyprus (Başka Kıbrıs Yok), we will deepen our awareness through a panel discussion featuring our distinguished guests.
We would be honoured to have you join us as we come together to reaffirm our shared responsibility toward our natural environment, our future, and our children.
Documentary Screening: There Is No Other Cyprus
Panellists: Mete Hatay, Feriha Tel, Mertkan Hamit
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Naciye Doratlı
Special Guest: Ms. Nilden Bektaş Erhürman (Environmental Engineer, Wife of the President of TRNC)
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 11:30 – 13:30
Venue: Eastern Mediterranean University Activity Center
We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our beginner-friendly D5 Workshop, hosted by the Urban Research and Development Center (URDC), on Friday, May 22, at the Faculty of Engineering.
A special thank you to Sajida Siddig, D5 Campus Ambassador, for leading the workshop and introducing students to the possibilities of architectural visualization through D5 Render.
During the session, students were introduced to the program and guided through the basics of the interface, main tools, and workflow. After the introduction, participants worked on a small practice project, allowing them to apply what they learned and explore the software through hands-on practice.
Thank you to all students who joined and actively participated in the workshop.
You can find the the top 3 winners' projects from our workshop by pressing D5 Workshop Winners
We are delighted to announce the successful completion of the 3rd International School on Urban Morphology (ISUM) in Famagusta!
Organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) in collaboration with ISUF – International Seminar on Urban Form and CyNUM – Cyprus Network of Urban Morphology, this year’s School brought together an inspiring international community of scholars, researchers, and emerging urbanists.
Over the course of the program, we had the pleasure of welcoming 35 participants from 22 countries — including 8 African, 6 Asian, 6 European, and 2 American countries — to engage deeply with the urban landscape, history, and future potentials of Famagusta. Through lectures, fieldwork, discussions, and design-oriented explorations, participants examined the city’s complex urban morphology and developed thoughtful ideas for its future transformation.
We are proud to have hosted such a vibrant and diverse group in Famagusta and grateful to all participants, tutors, collaborators, and supporting institutions who contributed to making this international learning experience so meaningful.
Famagusta once again became a living laboratory for urban morphology, critical inquiry, and shared urban imagination.
On 22nd of April, Earth Day, EMU URDC, The department of Architecture and EMU_SDG Club highlight the power of individual and collective action in protecting our environment and shaping a more sustainable future.
This PSA was prepared by our student IRIZA TREASURE NKUBANA as part of the course Arch320 - The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, in the Department of Architecture undergraduate program. It emphasizes that everyday actions—such as recycling, water conservation, tree-planting, and the use of clean energy—play a vital role in safeguarding our planet. These grassroots efforts demonstrate that meaningful environmental change is both achievable and necessary, reinforcing the importance of SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 15.
To watch the full PSA please press YouTube
On ICOMOS International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), celebrated each year on 18 April, focuses on “Living Heritage” and “Emergency Response” in the conservation of heritage affected by disasters and conflicts, in 2026. Let’s all think how we can respond and what kind of actions we can take for the future of cultural heritage!
On 7 April, World Health Day, EMU URDC, in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and EMU-SDGs Club, highlights the interconnected nature of health, well-being, and equitable access to resources in shaping sustainable communities.
This PSA was prepared by our student/graduate Mehmetali Dizman, as part of the course Arch320 - The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, in the Department of Architecture undergraduate program. It reflects the links between nutrition, clean water, health services, and social equity, emphasizing the importance of SDGs 2, 3, 6, and 10. Promoting health is not only a medical concern but also a social, environmental, and spatial commitment—for people, planet, and future generations.
Ro watch the full PSA please press YouTube
Small actions lead to big impact. From reducing waste to rethinking our daily habits, every step counts toward a more sustainable future.
On 30 March, International Day of Zero Waste, EMU URDC in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and EMU-SDGs Club emphasize the importance of everyday actions in reducing waste, promoting recycling, and encouraging more responsible consumption patterns.
This PSA was prepared by our B.Arch student Mohammad Marwan, as part of the course Arch320, The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, in the Department of Architecture undergraduate program. It reflects how simple daily habits as reduce, reuse, and recycle can collectively contribute to environmental protection and resource efficiency. Advancing zero waste is not only an environmental responsibility but also a social and spatial commitment.
For people, planet, and future generations, let us reduce, reuse and recycle!
To watch the video, please click YouTube
Water is not just a resource; it’s the foundation of life, cities, and communities.
On 22 March, World Water Day, EMU URDC, in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and EMUSDG Club, highlights the critical importance of water in sustaining life, shaping resilient environments, and supporting equitable communities.
This PSA was prepared by our student Aseel Hussein as part of the course Arch320, The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, in the Department of Architecture undergraduate program. It reflects the significance of responsible water use, conservation, and the role of design in addressing global water challenges. Water sustainability is not only an environmental concern but also a social and spatial one for people, planet, and future generations.
To watch the video, please click YouTube
On 21 March, International Day of Forests, EMU URDC, in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and EMUSDG Club, highlights the vital role of forests in supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, and enhancing the quality of life within urban and rural environments.
This PSA was prepared by our student (and recent graduate) Rümeysa Nur Güven as part of the course Arch320, The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, in the Department of Architecture undergraduate program. It reflects the importance of protecting forest ecosystems, promoting sustainable land use, and integrating nature into design and planning practices.
To watch the video, please click YouTube
On 8 March, International Women’s Day, EMU URDC in collaboration with Department of Architecture and EMU-SDGs Club celebrate gender equality, empowerment, and the vital role of women in shaping inclusive and resilient cities and communities.
This PSA was prepared by our student, Nafuna Simba, as part of the course Arch320, The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, in the Department of Architecture undergraduate program. It reflects the importance of equal opportunities, safety, and representation in public and professional spaces. Gender equality is not only a social imperative but a spatial and cultural one—for people, planet, and future generations.
To watch the video, please click YouTube
Safe Spaces for Women, Better Cities for All
Cities should enable everyone to move freely, confidently, and safely. Creating safer public spaces for women benefits entire communities. When urban environments incorporate good lighting, active streets, visible public areas, and inclusive design, they foster greater participation, accessibility, and social vitality.
On 8 March, International Women’s Day, we are pleased to share the initial findings from our research on women students’ experiences of safety, in public open spaces in Famagusta. This work highlights the importance of designing inclusive urban environments where women can access, use, and enjoy public spaces without fear or restriction.
We are pleased to announce the publication of the third winter issue of our Newsletter, which covers all activities and projects completed in the 2025-2026 Academic Year Fall Semester.
To see the full issue please press 3. Issue
On 26 January, the International Day of Clean Energy, URDC, SDG Club, and Department of Architecture of Eastern Mediterranean University highlight clean energy as a cornerstone of sustainability, climate action, and an equitable future.
This PSA was prepared by our student Ahmet Can Dursun as part of the course Arch320; The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet in the Department of Architecture program. It reflects the vital role of renewable and clean energy systems in building resilient communities and responsible environmental practices. Clean energy is not only a technological shift but a social and spatial imperative. For people, planet, and future generations.
To watch the PSA please press YouTube
On 24 January, URDC , SDG Club, and Department of Architecture of Eastern Mediterranean University celebrate education as a fundamental human right.
This PSA was prepared by Mark Morobane as part of the course Arch320; The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet in the department of architecture program It reflects how powerful education is when it comes to sustainable, inclusive, and equitable scocieties. For people, progress, and the future.
To watch the PSA please press YouTube
Proudly presented by EMU URDC & EMU SDGs Club- Every city, every campus, every public space should be designed for everyone.
Our new PSA reminds us that accessibility is not a favor—it is a right, a design principle, and a commitment to equity.
At Eastern Mediterranean University, we continue to advocate for:
- Inclusive and barrier-free environments
- Equal participation in social and academic life
- SDG 10 & SDG 11: Reducing inequalities and building inclusive communities
Let’s work together to create spaces where everyone belongs, moves, learns, and thrives.
To watch the PSA please press: YouTube
On World Town Planning Day, Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara shared her insights on how planning and urban design can guide our collective future. Click below to read the full article (Turkish).
This year, our recent alumnus, Abdel Rahman Abu-Zannad, from the EMU Department of Architecture, prepared a powerful Public Service Announcement (PSA) video, as a part of the course Arch320-The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, highlighting the vital role of urban planning in creating better futures for our communities.
Let’s rethink how we design, plan, and live together for people, planet, and progress.
To watch the video on YouTube please press YouTube
In World Cities Day 2025, a moment to reflect on how our cities shape who we are and how we live together.
This year’s theme, “People-centered Smart Cities,” calls for urban environments where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
Our beloved student, Aziz Hasan Gül, prepared this PSA video as a part of the course ‘Arch 320 The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet’ at the EMU Department of Architecture, while supporting the efforts of EMU URDC and EMU SDGs Club for achieving SDGs on the EMU Campus.
Let’s continue building cities that value community, equity, and sustainability. Cities that are smart but also compassionate, inclusive, and human-centered.
To watch the video on YouTube please press YouTube
On the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2025, we pause to recognize the importance of preparedness, resilience, and community action in the face of natural and human-made disasters.
This year’s global theme, “Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future,” reminds us that reducing disaster risk begins with inclusive planning and empowering every member of society.
The EMU Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) proudly joined this global call for awareness and action.
Let’s build together a future where resilience is shared, equity is prioritized, and no one is left behind.
A future where preparedness today saves lives tomorrow.
To watch the video on YouTube please press YOUTUBE
On the occasion of World Architecture Day 2025, we are proud to share a special Public Service Announcement (PSA) video prepared by our recent graduate, Sıla Haciarif, from the Department of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU).
Sıla prepared this PSA video as a part of the course ‘Arch 320 The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet’, while supporting the efforts of EMU URDC and EMU SDGs Club for achieving SDGs on the EMU Campus.
The video celebrates the power of architecture to shape a better future—one that is sustainable, inclusive, and deeply connected to our shared humanity.Join us in honoring architects, educators, and students worldwide who continue to design for a resilient and equitable world and to design for strength 💫Let’s imagine, design, and build for a sustainable and inclusive future together! 💚
🎥 Watch. Reflect. Share. YOUTUBE
We are delighted to announce the launch of our Research Center's Newsletter, a new publication that will be shared online once every semester. The Newsletter is designed to serve as a platform for highlighting our center's activities, research projects, publications, collaborations, and community engagement initiatives.
Each issue will feature updates on our ongoing work, reflections on current debates in architecture, urban design, and sustainability, as well as insights from our faculty, students, and partners. We also aim to provide space for sharing upcoming events, achievements, and opportunities that contribute to our mission of advancing knowledge, fostering dialogue, and creating impact within and beyond the university.
By publishing this Newsletter regularly, we hope to strengthen our connections with colleagues, professionals, policymakers, students, and the wider community. We invite you to follow our updates, engage with our stories, and join us in shaping more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient futures.
Please click the first two joint issues!
URDC Newsletter_Issue 1-2.pdf
URDC is happy to present the Students Map Stories Class Introduction and Educators’ Seminar
Why your class should make Chat Maps:If you walk down your street, you can see all the buildings and the monuments. But if you do not know the story behind this building or that monument, you can not understand the meaning of those things to the people who live there. Chat Maps are created to uncover and share the stories behind the neighborhood, helping people understand its significance to the local community.
Who uses Chat Maps?Community support groups may organize story tours for children and newcomers to help them understand the values and perspectives of local residents.An entrepreneur plans to launch a new business in your neighborhood and aims to make it relevant to the existing community by incorporating local stories into their business plan and building design.A local political representative seeks to understand how to make a decision that impacts your neighborhood. To do this, they draw on local stories to tailor their proposal to the community's needs and values.
Neighbors can identify and document recurring needs in the community, share their stories, and advocate for change with their elected representatives.
If you missed the online seminar, you can watch it through the link below:
Wildfires that are becoming more frequent, larger, and harder to control across the world are not just natural disasters; they are devastating consequences of climate change. Each fire threatens not only trees but also biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human life.
In recent weeks, wildfires in İzmir and its surroundings inflicted severe ecological and social damage on the region.
🌳 Thousands of hectares of forested land were destroyed.
🐾 Wildlife suffered greatly; many animals lost their habitats.
🏡 Some settlements were evacuated, and agricultural lands were damaged.
🚒 Firefighting efforts lasted for days, with hundreds of personnel and dozens of air and ground vehicles mobilized.
Afterwards, a wildfire in Eskişehir spread rapidly with strong winds, turning a vast area into ashes.
🔥 Approximately 1,500 hectares were damaged.
🏠 Some homes, barns, and farmlands were completely burned; many livestock perished.
💔 Lives were lost.
And finally, the largest fire disaster in Cyprus’s history reduced the Limassol mountains to ashes.
🌲 12,000 hectares — equivalent to about 16,800 football fields — of forested land were destroyed.
💔 Two people lost their lives, 26 were injured, two of them critically.
But what was lost was not only the trees:
🌿 Pines, olives, carobs, and maquis burned down.
🦊 Wild animals perished in the flames.
🌱 Endemic plant species disappeared.
🐦 Migratory birds lost their routes.
All these disasters once again reveal the destructive effects of climate change, drought, and human negligence on nature. Experts warn that the ecological damage will last for 120 years, perhaps even longer.
As our forests burn, we are losing not only trees but also our future. The time has come — and is running out — to take collective and determined action for nature. Beyond intervention, preventive and sustainable policies are essential.
🔥 Without fighting the climate crisis, we cannot stop forest fires.
🌍 To protect nature is to protect the future.
Stay strong, Türkiye!
Stay strong, Cyprus!
We are pleased to share that we have translated the Cairo Call to Action, published after the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), held in Cairo, Egypt, from November 4 to 8, 2024, into Turkish.
The document highlights the transformative impact of local action in creating sustainable cities and communities, offering specific policy recommendations on key issues such as the right to adequate housing, climate action, multilevel governance, cultural heritage, and inclusive urban planning.
We are honored to contribute to the dissemination of this critical document by making it accessible in Turkish.
Cairo Call to Action_08.11.24_Turkish.pdf
A special panel is being organized at the Yeniboğaziçi Cultural Center in observance of World Environment Day on June 5, through a collaboration between the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) and the Community Involvement Center, in partnership with two civil society organizations: the Yeniboğaziçi Women’s Association (YEKAD) and the Famagusta Women’s Center Association (MAKAMER).
The panel will take place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 17:00 to 19:00, and will address the 2025 World Environment Day theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
Moderated by EMU URDC Executive Board Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Pınar Uluçay, the panel will feature the following speakers:
Dr. Özge Cumaoğulları Eker, Faculty Member at EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Faculty of MedicineAssoc. Prof. Dr. Nevter Zafer Cömert, EMU URDC Executive Board MemberLawyer Nazenin Taşçıoğlu Şahali, President of YEKADMuhammed Ali Türkkal, representing Inyle Plastic LTD.Biologist Pelin Üretici, Environmental Education and Management Expert and Board Member of MAKAMERWorld Environment Day has been celebrated annually on June 5 since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. The day aims to raise global awareness and encourage action for the protection of the environment.
This World Environment Day, we're raising our voices to say: it's time to End Plastic Pollution! Watch our student-led PSA video and join us in rethinking, reducing, and refusing plastic in our everyday lives. Every action counts—let's build a cleaner, greener future together.
Here is our PSA video created by a Civil Engineering program student of the course 'Arch 320 The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet' at the EMU Department of Architecture - MWASIMBA SIMBA, to raise awareness about the issue and support the SDGs initiatives on the EMU Campus.
To strengthen awareness and support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within our university, the Urban Research and Development Center , in collaboration with the SDGs Student Club, has launched an exciting new social media campaign!This initiative aims not only to promote sustainability across our campus but also to enhance EMU’s visibility and performance in global university rankings related to sustainability.We kindly invite you to follow our social media accounts and don’t forget to like, share, and comment to help spread the word. We will share posts every Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday.Together, let’s be a voice for a more sustainable future! 🌍💙Links to Social media accounts:
You can access our Sunday article (in Turkish), in which we evaluate research centers in general and the 26-year work of our Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center in particular, in the context of university-society relations, from the link below.
https://www.yeniduzen.com/universite-toplum-iliskisi-baglaminda-arastirma-merkezleri-ve-daude-yirmialti-yillik-23575yy.htm?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7_zHnjP9IS6p0AfZ2AindHl5jH4H9MF5LlnDgEwGfXesSBmMalmZsmiwGiFA_aem_wIkaXuOce-GyOSErxHbSfA
Biodiversity is the heart of sustainable development — from food security and clean water to climate resilience and human health.
Here is a PSA video created by a Mechanical Engineering program student of the course 'Arch 320 The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet' at the EMU Department of Architecture to raise awareness about the issue and support the SDGs initiatives on the EMU Campus.
Let's work together to restore harmony and protect the web of life on Earth.
Every species matters. Every ecosystem counts.
Joint Event by MAKEMÜD, EMU KENT-AG, GMTMK, and NKLThe Memory of a City: Youth Tell the Story of FamagustaMay 18 has been declared International Museums Day by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to promote the preservation of world cultural heritage and the advancement of museology.
Since 1977, May 18 has been celebrated as a global event highlighting the transformative role of museums in society. In 2025, International Museums Day will address the theme “Museums in a Rapidly Changing Society”, focusing on how museums can navigate a world undergoing profound social, technological, and environmental changes and how they can contribute to this transformation.Museums are not only spaces of preservation but also institutions that actively shape sustainable and inclusive societies. This year’s theme aligns with three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 8: By creating employment opportunities and offering educational programs that empower communities, museums support local economies.SDG 9: By fostering creativity and embracing technological developments, museums promote innovation and enhance accessibility.SDG 11: As cultural hubs that encourage inclusivity, resilience, and the preservation of cultural heritage, museums contribute to sustainable urban development.On May 18, 2025, International Museums Day, we asked the youth!The answers come from high school students of Famagusta… To hear the students please watch:
International Day for Biological Diversity – May 22 Nature is not a resource
it's a partner in our survival. This year’s theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” reminds us that true progress means living in balance with the ecosystems that sustain us.
Biodiversity is the heart of sustainable development — from food security and clean water to climate resilience and human health.
Here is a PSA video created by a Mechanical Engineering program student of the course ‘Arch 320 The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet’ at the EMU Department of Architecture to raise awareness about the issue and support the SDGs initiatives on the EMU Campus.
Let’s work together to restore harmony and protect the web of life on Earth.
Every species matters. Every ecosystem counts.
22 April - World Mother Earth Day is a global call to raise awareness and drive action against environmental degradation and climate change. It emphasizes the need to protect the planet's ecosystems, reduce emissions, and build climate resilience, which are at the core of SDG 13. Earth Day's 2025 theme is Our Power Our Planet, calling for everyone to unite around renewable energy so we can triple clean electricity by 2030. Rami Akkawi, a Department of Mechatronics Engineering student at EMU, prepared the video for his university elective course "ARCH320 The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet" at the EMU Department of Architecture. |
Safeguarding Heritage, Shaping the Future!
In celebration of International Day for Monuments and Sites (18 April), the Urban Research and Development Center of EMU is proud to present a PSA video produced by Muharrem Ezel, a student in the EMU Department of Architecture.
This video, created within Şebnem Önal Hoşkara's elective course, “The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet," reflects on the importance of cultural heritage in achieving SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Our monuments and historic sites are symbols of the past and foundations for sustainable development, cultural identity, and resilience.
Watch this inspiring student voice and join us in rethinking how we protect and integrate heritage into our urban futures.
As the Urban Research and Development Center of Eastern Mediterranean University, we would like to invite you to the seminar we are organizing this year for April 18 – ICOMOS International Day for Monuments and Sites, which we have been celebrating since 2011 through various events to raise public awareness, contribute scientifically to conservation and restoration efforts in the country, and provide additional support to the education of undergraduate and graduate students studying in architecture and urban design.
As part of the event, which will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 11:30 AM, esteemed Conservation Architect Ümit Erdim, who has been involved in various conservation and restoration projects in Istanbul, will deliver a presentation titled “Restoration and Re-use: Examples of Projects and Applications.” He will share his experiences, particularly focusing on his work on Vaniköy Mosque and Library, Selimiye Bathhouse, and a residential building in Beyoğlu.
For our highly anticipated second session, we’re bringing you an enriching LIVE Seminar on ‘Architecture & Innovation!’Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Almula Köksal Işıkkaya and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğçe Ercan from Yıldız Technical University as they explore cutting-edge trends shaping the future of architecture and innovation.
Get ready for a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion that will expand your perspective!
📅 Date: Monday, 14th April 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM (Cyprus)
📍 Hosted by DAUSEN & Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center (URDC).
Kickstarting our first session, we bring you an insightful LIVE Webinar on the European Green Deal and UN Sustainability Goals Overview & Framework! Join Prof. Dr. Hatice Camgöz Akdağ from Istanbul Technical University as we explore strategies for a more sustainable future.
📅 Date: Tuesday, 25th March 2025
⏰ Time:🇨🇾 9:00 AM (Cyprus)
🇹🇷 10:00 AM (Turkey)
🇪🇺 8:00 AM (CET)
📍 Hosted by Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center (URDC)🔗 Scan the QR code to join!
We support women in public space!
In honour of International Women’s Day, we will host an Open Discussion Event with the contribution of the Association for Historical Dialogue & Research (AHDR), who will present their project and book: ‘A Space of Our Own: A Handbook on Gender and Monuments in Intersectional Public Spaces’The EMU-URDC (Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center), DAU-SEN (eastern Mediterranean University Academic Personnel Trade Union), and (Cyprus Turkish Teachers Trade Union) KTOS co-organised the event to emphasise SDG 11.7: “Provide access to safe and inclusive green and public spaces. By 2030, ensure universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces, particularly for women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.” You can reach the details of the handbook through: https://www.ahdr.info/project/a-space-of-our-own-2/
The event, which will be conducted jointly and in English, will take place on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 16:30 to 17:30 at DAÜ-SEN Local. Faculty members and students are expected to attend the event.
During the event, we discussed the global goals as a framework for a sustainable and resilient future with the students who are the future of our planet and communities. Youth is hope!
Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (KENT-AG), Ufuk Planning, Kyrenia Municipality (GB), the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB), the Chamber of City Planners (KTMMOB-CP), and the Chamber of Architects (KTMMOB-A) are collaborating to organize the "City Forest Life Workshop: Multidisciplinary Spatial Planning Training".
This workshop has been initiated by urban planner Dr. Nejla Kılınç, the founder of Ufuk Planning, and is the second event of its kind, following the inaugural event in Ankara.The event, held from February 18 to 22, 2025, at Kyrenia Municipality, aims to bring together students and academics from various disciplines to develop future urban planning solutions.
In this event, Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara, Head of DAÜ KENT-AG Center, Faculty Member of the Faculty of Architecture at EMU, and Coordinator of Campus Services at EMU, along with the Board of Directors of DAÜ KENT-AG Center and Faculty Members of the Faculty of Architecture at EMU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevter Zafer Cömert, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge Rıza, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Pınar Uluçay will be one of the speakers, in addition to other colleagues from Ankara.Students and expert trainers will meet in the training. Sixteen students from the Department of Architecture at EMU, as well as selected students from the Departments of City and Regional Planning, Forestry Engineering, and Landscape Architecture at universities in Turkey, will participate alongside expert trainers.
Eastern Mediterranean University and the EMU SDG Club support the United Nations 16 Days of Activism campaign to End Violence against Women under the slogan "No Excuse”. You can follow and participate in our digital awareness campaign through the EMU Sustainable Development Goals Club’s social media account:
Instagram
To celebrate World Habitat Day and World Architecture Day on 7th October 2024, EMU URDC has prepared and shared social media posts and Prof.Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara, the Director of EMU URDC, has made a public statement in a local newspaper emphasising the role of the young generation, participation, and urban design for the future of cities and environments.
https://ozgurgazetekibris.com/kibris/153694-dunya-habitat-ve-dunya-mimarlik-gunu.html
The EMU Urban Research and Development Center organized an end-of-semester event in DAUSEN LOCAL on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024. It was an 'urban sketching workshop' and exhibition performed by Miss Jeiran Olyanasab, a PhD candidate in the EMU Faculty of Communications. After Miss Olyanasab's brief seminar, EMU students participated in the workshop and experienced 'sketching' as a means of visual expression. The event was hosted by DAUSEN, the Academic Trade Union of EMU-LOCAL, and the exhibition was open between June 4th - 8th, 2024.
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World Environment Day 2024 Concept Note (Turkish)
April 22 is Earth Day, first organized in the United States (USA) 1970 as an awareness day. It was suggested by activist John McConnell and organized by environmentalist Denis Hayes, who is known for his efforts to popularize the use of solar energy.
Due to increasing global environmental problems and natural disasters, Earth Day, which has transcended the USA and turned into an internationally celebrated day in more than 200 countries since 1990, is organized by the Washington-based Earth Day Network. Read More
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Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center (EMU URDC) willbe organizing a 'Series of Events for the Development of National / International ResearchProjects' in the short and medium term in 2024, in collaboration with different non-governmental organizations and institutions within and/or outside the university; and/ordifferent academic units within our university.
The first event, organised in the form of a round-table discussion, in collaboration with theAcademic Trade Union of EMU - DAUSEN, will be on February 7, 2024, at 11.00 am in DAUSENLocal. During the event, Prof. Dr. İpek Akpınar, an experienced academic and researcher fromthe Faculty of Architecture of the Izmir High Technology Institute, will share her experienceswith us on EU and TÜBİTAK projects, focusing on sustainability.
Let us unite in action - through inclusive and accessible design in city spaces - to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with, and by persons with disabilities!
Every year, the 8th of November is celebrated as World Town Planning Day. It was Carlos María della Paolera, an Argentinian professor, who initiated World Town Planning Day in Buenos Aires in 1949.
On 8th November, every year, planners, urban designers, and communities worldwide celebrate how good planning improves people's lives and benefits society at large, creating places to live, work, and play together.
This year's theme is Learn Globally, Apply Locally, and it will focus on the value of learning from planning and planning cultures globally, fostering innovative, sustainable, and equitable solutions to address global challenges.
You are invited to join our special online webinar, endorsed by ISOCARP - the International Society of City and Regional Planners, on 8th November 2023.
World Cities Day brings Urban October to an end on 31 October each year and was first celebrated in 2014. As with World Habitat Day, a global observance is held in a different city each year and focuses on a specific theme.On 31 October 2023, the Global Observance of World Cities Day, under the theme 'Financing a Sustainable Urban Future for All', will explore how we can unlock transformative investment in urban planning and achieve adequate fiscal decentralization.
You may reach the concept note of World Cities Day 2023 through the link below:
Concept Note of World Cities Day 2023
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We must educate and empower girls! We must stand up against harassment! We must advocate and work for breaking inequalities and create just environments for all!
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The Director of the Center for Urban Research and Development (DAU KENT-AG) at the Eastern Mediterranean University, Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara, issued a message on the World Habitat Day 2023. In her message, Prof. Dr. Hoşkara said: Read More
Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center (EMU-URDC) Executive Board Member and EMU Faculty of Architecture academic staff member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ege Uluca Tümer released a statement on the rehabilitation of Kyrenia Harbour Street. The statement reads as follows: Read More
On 1 June World Children's Day, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, in collaboration with EMU Academic Trade Union (DAUSEN), EMU Faculty of Tourism, and EMU Urban Research and Development Center (URDC), prepared a social responsibility project in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Read More
The beach cleaning activity proposed and developed by the students within the scope of the elective course titled ARCH 320, The UN Sustainable Development Goals: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Future of Our Planet, carried out in the Department of Architecture, was held on the morning of June 8, 2023, as part of 5 June World Environment Day. Read More
Held every year on 21 May, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates the richness of the world's cultures and the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development.A day not to be missed!
21st of May has been celebrated as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development since 2001. On this occasion, we join UNESCO to celebrate one of the most invaluable aspects of human life, that is, human cultural diversity, and the invaluable intellectual, social, cultural, and economic opportunities of development that it offers to humanity.
Through the ongoing process of globalization, the world's people have become increasingly interconnected with each other. Technological advancements have made it possible for world cultures to interact with each other more than ever before and they can do that in increasingly more cooperative and constructive ways. Increased opportunities for intercultural interaction and dialogue make it possible for cultures to learn from each other and challenge each other to be more tolerant, flexible, creative, and open to development. Read More
The EarthDay is a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our common home and making peace With Nature. Let us conserve energey, let us plant trees, let us reduce, reuse, recyle. Let us start today!“Let us all do our part to protect our common home for the sake of people and planet right now, and for the generations to come." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) Executive Board Vice Director and EMU Architecture Faculty, Department of Architecture academic staff member Assist. Prof. Dr. Pınar Uluçay Righelato made a statement on the occasion of Earth Day 2023. The statement reads as follows: Read More
The Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) has been celebrating the 18th April ICOMOS International Day for Monuments and Sites every year since 2011 through various awareness activities and collaborationsOn the International Day of Monuments and Sites, being held in 2023 under the theme 'Heritage Changes', an online panel was held in collaboration with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG) between 17:00-19:00 on Tuesday, 18 April 2023. The panel hosted the following speakers: ICOMOS Nigeria National Committee member Dr. Tokie Laotan-Brown; Istanbul Technical University, Department of Architecture academic staff member and ICOMOS Turkish National Committee Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Eres, a Cardiff-Welsh School of Architecture researcher and Chair of the ICOMOS Jordan SDGWG Ms. Bayan El Faouri and URDC Central Executive Board Member and academic staff member of EMU Architecture Department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ege Uluca Tümer.Organized under the title of “Heritage Changes: Vernacular Settlements and Climate Action", and under the moderation of EMU URDC Director Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara, answers were sought to the question "How can traditional knowledge inform innovative and transformative climate action?". The panelists delivered presentations evaluating the relationship between cultural heritage and climate through traditional and rural architecture examples from Jordan, Africa, Turkey, and Cyprus. Read More
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We have organized a panel discussion and an exhibition on 22 March 2023 to celebrate International Women's Day where 5 women architects' accomplishments were commemorated and honored in a panel discussion to raise awareness about gender disparities in the architectural profession. After the panel, an exhibition to celebrate the works of another 5 women designers was opened. The event was organized by KENT-AG and KEDAM, hosted by the Faculty of Architecture and was in Turkish. Read More
The 'Nicosia Turkish Municipality Terminal Area - Urban Renewal, Improvement, and Design Project' prepared by the Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center (EMU URDC) in line with the demand from the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, Read More
Within the scope of 3 December, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (EMU URDC) presented the “Barrier-Free Access Award" to business corporations located at Famagusta İsmet İnönü Boulevard, which are “accessible without the help of a second person" for individuals with special needs. Read More
World Children's Day is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide and improve children's welfare. The day devoted to children was established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day. Read More
Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (EMU URDC) released a statement on the occasion of 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The statement reads as follows: Read More
Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) organized an awareness event on social media to draw attention to the problems in cities as part of the 8 November World Town Planning Day organizations. The event, which was held in collaboration with EMU TV, covers a news bulletin sketch shot with EMU graduate Aygün Kencer. Read More
World Cities Day is the last day of Urban October on the 31st October each year and was first celebrated in 2014. Aglobal observance is held in a different city each year, and the day focuses on a specific theme, just like World Habitat Day.Read More
Every October, UN-Habitat (UN-HABITAT) and its partners organize a month of events and discussions on urban sustainability. The events, which start with World Habitat (Human Settlements) Day on the first Monday of October every year, and end with World Cities Day on October 31, are called Urban October. Read More
With the contributions of the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Rector's Office and EMU Urban Research and Development Center (URDC), the “Art and Culture Tour" for youngsters who live in the countryside was organized within the scope of Famagusta Ravelin Lions Club's 1st Ravelin Youth Event. Read More
On International Museum Day, May 18th, 2022, we celebrate "public space" concentrating on the power of museums for sustainable development goals and public spaces. We would like to explore the potential of museums to enrich public space through art and education and to achieve sustainability by adding a positive change in their communities."Museums have the power to transform the world around us. As incomparable places of discovery, they teach us about our past and open our minds to new ideas — two essential steps in building a better future." (ICOM, 2022). Read More
Eastern Mediterranean University Urban Research and Development Center (EMU URDC) in collaboration with EMU Faculty of Architecture, organised an awareness event under the title “CALL FOR ACTION: We are SDGs!". Read More
Urban Research and Development Center
99628, Famagusta, North Cyprus
via Mersin 10, Turkiye
