Within the scope of the 100th anniversary of the founding of our Republic, Uşak University Faculty of Architecture and Design and Earthquake Application and Research Center (UDAM) organized a workshop titled "Uşak Discusses Disaster" with the contributions of Uşak Governorship, Uşak Municipality, Provincial Directorate of AFAD, Uşak Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Chamber of Civil Engineers Uşak Branch, Chamber of Architects Uşak Provincial Representative and Chamber of Geological Engineers Uşak Branch.

Deputy Governor Muammer Balcı, Uşak Mayor Mehmet Çakın, Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş, provincial protocol, academicians and students attended the workshop held at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Congress and Culture Center.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Uşak University Earthquake Application and Research Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Gönen stated that he believes that the workshop will increase the awareness of Uşak, our region and our country on disasters. Stating that it is possible to reduce the damages of disasters, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gönen pointed out that it is very important to determine the potentials before disasters occur and to discuss and implement the measures.

Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Prof. Dr. İncilay Yurdakul thanked the Governorship of Uşak, Uşak Municipality, all non-governmental organizations and academicians for their contributions. Prof. Dr. Yurdakul underlined that we should know the geography we are in well and said, "We should analyze the lands we live on well. We should carry out studies in this direction, bring solutions to problems and develop awareness. I believe that our workshop will have great contributions on measures to be taken and solution suggestions for the disasters. I would like to thank all the participants."

In his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş said that 55 of Turkey's 81 provinces are located in the 1st degree earthquake zones and said, "These recent earthquakes have shown that we have to learn to live with the earthquake reality in our country. Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a disaster risk management system covering the whole of Türkiye has been put into practice and urban transformation projects are an important issue in this context."

Savaş said, "The aim of the workshop is not to forget the earthquake reality, to reveal what needs to be done to be prepared as if it will happen at any moment and to spread this awareness."

Prof. Dr. Savaş stated that every disaster we experience reminds us of the precautions we need to take for the future. "We already had an experience from 1999 regarding the severe consequences of the earthquake. The earthquakes of February 6, the disaster of the century, took place in the form of a small apocalypse in the words of those who lived with the magnitude of its impact and destruction area. I felt it in my bones during my visit to Hatay Kırıkhan. But we, as a nation, joined hands and started to heal our wounds as soon as possible and became stronger than before. As Uşak University, we have fulfilled and continue to fulfill all kinds of duties for the physical and mental needs of our earthquake victims, especially their shelter needs, from the first day. You can be sure that as long as we are united and together, there is no difficulty or hardship that we cannot overcome. This strong sense of solidarity in our society gives us hope for a happy future. Our aim in this workshop is not to forget the earthquake reality, to reveal what needs to be done to be prepared as if it will happen at any moment and to spread this awareness. We are here to talk about what needs to be done for our city and to make our academic contribution as Uşak University. I would like to thank the contributions of our academicians who are experts in earthquakes and you, who are experienced in this field, both on behalf of our province and on behalf of Uşak University. On February 6, 2023, I once again wish God's mercy to my brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the earthquake disasters centered in Kahramanmaraş and affecting 11 provinces, and my condolences to their relatives."

After his speech, Rector Savaş presented a plaque of appreciation to OKTAŞ for their contribution to the workshop.

Mayor Mehmet Çakın and Deputy Governor Muammer Balcı also made a speech and pointed out the importance of the workshop aiming to increase the level of awareness and consciousness about disasters and thanked all workshop participants, especially Uşak University, which organized the event.

After the opening speeches, 3 sessions were held. The first session was moderated by Faculty of Communication faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre Vadi Balcı, with the following speakers: Chamber of Geological Engineers Uşak Provincial Representative Nihat Erkan Gürsel with the presentation titled "Uşak Geology and Seismicity of the Region", Chamber of Civil Engineers Uşak Branch President Ümit Alp with the presentation titled "Pre-Disaster Preparation of Technical Infrastructure and Post-Disaster Importance", Uşak University Faculty of Engineering Civil Engineering Department faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hayri Baytan Özmen with the presentation titled "Factors Affecting the Behavior of Structures Under Earthquake Load", Çağlar Samancı, Uşak Provincial Representative of Chamber of Architects and Celal Onur Şahal from Uşak Branch of Chamber of Civil Engineers  with the presentation titled "Urban Transformation in Uşak" and Zuhal Özçetin, Assistant Professor at Uşak University Faculty of Architecture and Design, Department of Architecture  with the presentation titled "Post-Disaster Sheltering Processes, The Case of February 6, 2023 Earthquakes".

In the second session held in the afternoon; Uşak Disaster and Emergency Director Burak Edin presented " Türkiye Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) and Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes", Muhammet Akif Aslan, Deputy Director of Risk Reduction and Improvement Branch, presented "Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (IRAP) Information", Uşak Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism Y. Archaeologist Muradiye Küçükcan from Uşak Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism presented "Our Cultural Heritage in Uşak" and UDAM Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Gönen from Uşak University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering presented "Disaster Awareness and Disaster Preparedness Survey of Uşak Province".

After the two main sessions, round table discussions were held in the third session and the participants exchanged ideas. "Uşak Discusses Disaster" event ended after the presentation of the workshop report and presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participants.