On 4th July, 2024, Zsolt László Márkus from HUN-REN SZTAKI presented the B-prepared project at the annual meeting of the Hungarian Hydrological Society. This event highlighted the project’s progress since its official start in October 2023. The presentation was accompanied by an essay, prepared with assistance from the VR development team, SFC, which provided a solid foundation for the discussion.

The presentation covered the project’s goals, methods and expected outcomes. Attendees learned about how the project uses modern technology and expert knowledge to reduce the impact of natural disasters such as flooding. Collaboration among external experts, VR developers and scientists is a key factor in the project’s development.

A highlight of the presentation was the “Flood Memories in Budapest” initiative, part of the INFO@HAND B-prepared smartphone application, which is supported by sector experts. This initiative uses historical data, an interactive map, and modern technology to create an immersive experience that educates the public about past flood events in Budapest. It encourages citizens to visit all commemorative plaques from the 1838 flood. By involving the community, the project aims to raise awareness and promote resilience. The mobile app component serves as both an educational tool and a reminder that natural disasters can occur at any time. Future updates to the application will include scenarios such as forest fires and landslides in various countries.

The application is available in both Hungarian and English and can already be downloaded. By making historical information accessible to a broad audience, the app supports the project’s goal of enhancing community resilience. The annual meeting of the Hungarian Hydrological Society provided an excellent opportunity to showcase these advancements and underscore the importance of innovative solutions in preparing citizens for future challenges.

 The full presentation (in Hungarian) is available on the project’s YouTube channel: