On May 8th, 2025, the PARATUS project held its most attended local-level workshop to date in Küçükçekmece, a district of Istanbul, gathering over 160 participants from a broad range of institutions. The high-level stakeholder event was hosted by the Küçükçekmece Municipality, marking a major milestone in the Istanbul Application Case Study.

A Collaborative Approach to Local Risk Understanding

The workshop aimed to foster multi-stakeholder dialogue and enhance understanding of district-level risks through a combination of participatory mapping and scenario-based discussions. Stakeholders from local government, academia, emergency services, civil society, and other institutions worked together to identify local hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and explore cascading risks across multiple earthquake scenarios.

The interactive discussions not only increased awareness of complex disaster dynamics but also generated practical insights that will directly feed into the development of more integrated systemic risk assessments at the metropolitan scale.

Recognition by Local Authorities

A memorable highlight of the day was the formal recognition of the PARATUS project by Mr. Kemal Çebi, Mayor of Küçükçekmece. In a gesture of appreciation, the Mayor presented a plaque to the PARATUS team, expressing gratitude for their support of local disaster risk reduction efforts. The plaque reads:

“To The PARATUS Project Team: As Küçükçekmece Municipality, we would like to thank you for your participation in the ‘Multiple Scenario Based Disaster Risk Management Workshop’.
Kemal Çebi, Mayor of Küçükçekmece”

Looking Ahead

The outcomes of the Istanbul workshop underscore the importance of inclusive and place-based disaster risk governance. By engaging local actors in scenario development and participatory tools, PARATUS supports efforts to co-create more resilient urban systems and enhance community-level preparedness.

The Istanbul case study will continue to serve as a model for how collaborative approaches can inform policy, planning, and practice in multi-hazard urban contexts.