The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) prepared an Accessible and Inclusive School Design Guide for Earthquake Affected Regions as part of the “Croatia Rebuilds Inclusive Schools Project” with financial support from the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The design guide, which was prepared taking into account the relevant guidelines of the Ministry of National Education, includes essential design principles, benefits, recommendations and strategies for integrating inclusivity and accessibility into school reconstruction or repair efforts in a post-earthquake context. 

Additionally, design examples in the contexts of urban architecture and interior design are examined, providing illustrative models of the essential features required in an inclusive school.

Inclusive school design aims to create a safe and accessible learning environment that responds to the needs of all school users. This design guide is expected to be a basic reference for government authorities, municipalities, urban designers, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, architects, engineers, all relevant stakeholders, as well as school administrators, parents and students. 

The Accessible and Inclusive School Design Guide for Earthquake Affected Provinces will serve as a guideline for the 16-classroom Hayrettin Özkan Secondary School, which was designed in Hatay as part of the Croatia Rebuilding Inclusive Schools Project and is planned to open in the 2025-2026 school year, as well as for the reconstruction or repair of schools in other earthquake-affected provinces.