Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Architecture academic staff member Prof. Dr. Kağan Günçe and Faculty of Business and Economics academic staff member Prof. Dr. Deniz İşçioğlu, represented EMU at the 4th International Rural Areas and Ecology Congress Within the Framework of Sustainable Development held at The Olive Tree Hotel under the coordination of the Institute of Economic Development and Social Research (IKSAD).
The congress was characterized by its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature, bringing together scholars from various professional disciplines to discuss rural areas from different perspectives. The congress was chaired by Prof. Dr. Öner Demirel from Kırıkkale University, with Prof. Dr. Kağan Günçe, Prof. Dr. Atila Gül, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ertan Düzgüneş serving as vice-chairs.
Following the opening speeches, the congress continued with a panel titled "Ecology, Economics, Conservation, and Art in the Perspective of Sustainable Rural Development." In this panel, the invited speakers Prof. Dr. İşçioğlu delivered a presentation titled "The Effects of Rural-to-Urban Migration," and Prof. Dr. Günçe presented on "Conservation and Development of Traditional Built Environments in Rural Areas through Tourism."
The congress featured 43 paper presentations from scholars in Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and other countries. In addition to the face-to-face presentations, 158 paper presentations were made online via internet access.
During the congress, presentations were made on research related to Architecture Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Ecology Sciences, primarily focusing on Rural Area Ecosystems. The event facilitated the exchange of knowledge and contributed to the international collaborative efforts aimed at addressing solutions to common issues. The congress gathered both national and international experts in the field to assess the studies on the sustainable development of economic, ecological, and social mobility of humans and other living beings in the delicate ecosystems of rural areas. Further information about the congress can be found at www.iensci.org/rudesu