About
Funda Atun is an Associate Professor holding dual appointments in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Geo-Information Management and the Digital Society Institute. Her work focuses on disaster risk management, urban resilience, and the socio-mental impacts of environmental hazards. She holds a PhD in Spatial Planning and Urban Development from Politecnico di Milano (2013), a Master's in Urban Planning and Policy Design from the same institution (2009), and a Bachelor's in City and Regional Planning from Middle East Technical University (2006).
Her research explores flood impacts on vulnerable populations, nature-based solutions for urban challenges, and systemic risk assessment. She has co-authored over 50 publications and contributed to datasets on disaster resilience, including studies on Nigerian urban landscapes and post-flood mental health in Germany. Notable projects include the PARATUS initiative, which develops multi-hazard impact models, and the Coolschools project, assessing green infrastructure in educational environments.
In 2024, she received the Aniello Amendola Distinguished Service Award for contributions to disaster risk management. Her work bridges academia and policy, emphasizing community engagement and interdisciplinary approaches to urban sustainability.
