Traditional knowledge systems support local production, cultural continuity, environmental adaptation, and community resilience. However, disasters and broader socio-economic transformations increasingly threaten the continuity of these knowledge systems. Building upon the authors’ doctoral research conducted following the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye, this paper examines the vulnerability of traditional knowledge in post-disaster contexts and argues for a shift from reactive recovery toward preventive resilience-building. Drawing on sustainability transitions, Systemic Design, cultural sustainability, and traditional ecological knowledge literature, the paper proposes a framework for the preservation and adaptive development of traditional knowledge. The framework consists of four phases: systemic mapping, adaptive development through participatory design, intergenerational transmission structures, and long-term stewardship. By conceptualizing traditional knowledge as a dynamic socio-ecological system rather than a static cultural artifact, the paper positions knowledge continuity as a strategic concern for resilience and cultural sustainability. The framework contributes a designled approach for supporting long-term socio-ecological transformation.