EMU-URDC AND MASDER ORGANIZES HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS EVENT

Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Center (EMU-URDC) and Famagusta Walled City Association (MASDER) organized a historic environment awareness event series including a photo-shoot, exhibition and a talk with “Looking our Home/City from Outside: Eyesore Scenes in Famagusta Walled City" theme on the occasion of 18 April International Day for Monuments and Sites.

The statement released by EMU-URDC and MASDER on the matter said: “The 2021 year theme of the annually celebrated 18 April International Day for Monuments and Sites organized with the leadership of International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) organization and with the intention of raising awareness on preservation of cultural properties and creating/increasing public awareness is set to be “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures" on the condition of referencing the United Nations' 2030 New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)".

Exhibition Opening and Talk Event took place on 17 April 

With this event organized with the collaborations of EMU-URDC and MASDER; it was aimed to emphasize the values of living in a historic city like Famagusta and raise awareness on the importance of preserving such values. The event also aimed to make Famagusta Walled City a more sustainable historical city and to reside in a sustainable community within the scope of the UN's “Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11)" Goal. Therefore, identifying, bringing forward and discussing the problems encountered in the city was in the agenda of the event.

A selection of photographs taken by the participants of the event were shared with the public on social media as well as the garden of the MASDER building on Saturday, 17 April 2021 at 10:00.

A talk took place on same day at 11:00 with an opening speech of MASDER Director Rifat Yalınç. Famagusta Mayor İsmail Arter delivered a speech during the talk and mentioned the current and future plans' of the Famagusta Municipality regarding Famagusta Walled City. At 12:00, EMUURDC Executive Board member and EMU Architecture Department academic staff members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ege Uluca Tümer commented on existing problems in Famagusta Walled City and its historic structure through the exhibited photographs. Photograph artists and MASDER members participated during the talk. The event that took place outside the MASDER building in Famagusta Walled City according to all COVID-19 measures got the attention of public.