The project titled “In the Footsteps of Cultural Heritage: Erzurum”, led by Dr. İmran
Kavaz Altun, Head of the Department of Interior Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering
and Architecture at Erzurum Technical University (ETU), has been awarded support within
the scope of the 19th call of the TÜBİTAK 4004 Nature Education and Science Schools
Support Program.
The project aims to teach children aged 10–12 about the architectural heritage of their historic
city through hands-on experiences. Participants will explore the tangible cultural assets of
their city in a historical context—walking through, touching, playing, and learning—in order
to develop awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage.
The project team includes Dr. Esma Eroğlu and Research Assistant Kübra Yaşar from ETU’s
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Architecture, and Prof. Dr. Zeynep
Kuban Tokgöz from Istanbul Technical University’s Faculty of Architecture as experts. In
addition, the educators for the project include Research Assistant Ayşe Merve Çilingir from
Istanbul Technical University, KOOP Architecture founder and Dezeen award-winning
architect Yusuf Burak Dolu, and Dr. Zehra Saadet Fırat from Atatürk University, Faculty of
Education, Department of Primary Education.
Dr. İmran Kavaz, commenting on the project, emphasized the importance of children learning
about their city not just visually but through experience:
"Through the activities we will conduct in July, children will have the opportunity to recognize
Erzurum’s architectural heritage on-site. It is crucial for children to connect with their
surroundings, get to know their city, and internalize this heritage. With this project, we aim
for them to learn about tangible cultural assets through experience, form a strong mental
image of the city, and take ownership of this heritage."
Corporate Communication and Promotion Directorate, 03 April,2026