Our University provided scientific, technical, and institutional information and support to local and regional public authorities in 2025 regarding the monitoring and assessment of climate change-related disasters and risks, the development of early warning capacity, and disaster risk reduction.
The University carries out these activities particularly through the Landslide Application and Research Center, the Earthquake and Structural Health Application and Research Center, and relevant academic units. Scientific assessment, field investigation, monitoring, modelling, early warning, technical consultancy, and capacity-building activities are conducted in relation to floods, inundation, landslides, intense rainfall, drought, forest fires, rockfalls, and other natural hazards. The scientific knowledge generated through these activities is transferred to local and regional public authorities to support their risk management and disaster planning processes.
Our University provided scientific, technical, and institutional information and support to local and regional public authorities in 2025 regarding the monitoring and assessment of climate change-related disasters and risks, the development of early warning capacity, and disaster risk reduction.
Early Warning and Disaster Risk Monitoring with AFAD
In 2025, a “Cooperation Protocol on Natural Hazard Studies and Education” was signed between the University’s Landslide Application and Research Center and the Trabzon Provincial Directorate of Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD). The protocol aims to ensure that research, education, risk reduction, monitoring, and awareness-raising activities related to natural hazards are conducted through inter-institutional cooperation.
The University’s official sustainability platform states that this cooperation specifically includes disaster risk reduction and the development of early warning systems. In this way, the University provides direct scientific and technical support to the local disaster management authority in strengthening its risk monitoring and early warning capacity.
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/surdurulebilirlik/hukumete-bilgi-verilmesi-ve-destek-saglanmasi
Scientific Support for Official Disaster Plans
The University’s cooperation with AFAD goes beyond general academic collaboration. The University’s local projects page states that this cooperation is directly linked to responsibilities assigned to AFAD Trabzon under the Urban Risk Shield Plan, the Türkiye Disaster Response Plan (TAMP), and the Provincial Risk Reduction Plan (Ä°RAP).
Within this framework, joint studies are carried out in the Eastern Black Sea Region on floods, inundation, landslides, earthquakes, rockfalls, avalanches, drought, desertification, erosion, and forest fires. The University’s scientific knowledge, expertise, and technical capacity are therefore incorporated into the formal disaster risk management processes of local and regional public authorities.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/trabzonicinyurutulenprojeler
Local Risk Monitoring with Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality
Our University also conducts joint activities with Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality to monitor and assess natural hazard risks associated with climate change.
In 2025, the University’s Landslide Application and Research Center and Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality carried out joint field investigations and scientific assessments to examine landslides occurring within the municipal boundaries. These activities directly support the local authority in identifying and monitoring landslide risks and in making risk reduction decisions based on scientific evidence.
The institutional cooperation between our University and Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality is also linked to actions assigned to the Municipality under the Urban Risk Shield Plan, Türkiye Disaster Response Plan, and Provincial Risk Reduction Plan. Within this cooperation, scientific studies, information activities, in-service training, and joint exercises are envisaged for floods, inundation, landslides, drought, forest fires, and other types of disasters.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/trabzonicinyurutulenprojeler
Monitoring of the Provincial Risk Reduction Plan
The University’s role in disaster risk management is also reflected in activities related to the Provincial Risk Reduction Plan (Ä°RAP). During inter-institutional evaluations involving the University’s Landslide Application and Research Center, the establishment of a commission was planned to implement and monitor the activities for which the University is responsible under Ä°RAP.
The same evaluations included plans for joint studies on natural hazards, modelling of landslide, flood, and inundation risks, and the development of cooperation with international organisations. This approach demonstrates that the University contributes not only to the assessment of local disaster risks, but also to their ongoing monitoring and to the planning processes of public authorities.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/huam/haber/h74spEWP6J
Joint Assessment of Rockfall Risks with AFAD
A concrete example of the technical support provided by the University to public authorities in 2025 was the joint assessment conducted with AFAD regarding rockfall incidents in Trabzon on 16 October 2025.
The University’s Landslide Application and Research Center and the Trabzon Provincial Directorate of AFAD held an assessment meeting within the scope of mitigation projects addressing rockfall risks. This activity demonstrates that the University technically evaluates disaster and risk events together with public authorities and provides scientific support for related risk reduction measures.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/huam/haber/ktu-heyelan-uygar-ile-trabzon-afad-il-mudurlugu-ortak-calismasi
Continuous Structural Health Monitoring and Early Warning
The University’s support to public institutions in monitoring and early warning is not limited to landslides. Under the Trabzon Atasu Dam Structural Health Monitoring R&D Cooperation Protocol implemented with the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSÄ°), continuous monitoring of the structural condition of dams and the development of early warning systems are targeted.
The project aims to establish scientific cooperation between the University and DSÄ° for the continuous monitoring of dam structural health, the development of early warning systems, and the real-time detection of structural conditions during disasters. This provides strong evidence that the University offers direct technical support to regional public authorities in both monitoring and early warning.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/trabzonicinyurutulenprojeler
In conclusion, our University actively informed and supported local and regional public authorities in 2025 in the monitoring of climate change-related disasters and risks, the development of early warning systems, risk modelling, disaster risk reduction, and the strengthening of regional resilience.
