Halden University · Faculty of Architecture and Planning
Urban Studies
We study how cities are made, shared and repaired — on the streets of Istanbul and in fourteen partner cities. 34 staff, 410 students, three research groups.
Admissions 2027–28
Three degrees, one studio culture
| Programme | Length | Language | Places | Apply by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA Urban StudiesPlanning history, urban economics and two studios a year, with a summer semester in a partner city. | 4 years | English (30% Turkish) | 62 | 24 July 2027 |
| MA Urban Design and PolicyFor architects, planners and policy graduates; thesis or a live project with a municipality. | 2 years | English | 24 | 15 April 2027 |
| PhD Urban StudiesFunded places in three research groups; teaching assistantship from year two. | 4–5 years | English or Turkish | 6 | 1 March 2027 |
Research
Three groups, each with a project you can join
01
Housing and Land
Who builds, who owns and who can afford to stay.
Now working on
Rent after the metro: 12 stations, 2014–2026
Led by Prof. Daniel Okafor
02
Climate and the Street
Design and policy for hotter, wetter cities.
Now working on
Shade Atlas: 2,400 streets measured at 15:00
Led by Dr. Selin Karaca
03
Public Space and Memory
Squares, monuments and the everyday life around them.
Now working on
Fifty squares, fifty years: an open archive
Led by Prof. Leyla Aksoy
Events
Wednesday seminars
Open to everyone, no registration. Tea from 16:30 outside B-204.
Seminar
Who owns the shoreline? Coastal law and practice since 1990
Dr. Hande Polat (guest)
B-204 · 17:00
Seminar
Measuring shade: first results from the Shade Atlas
Dr. Selin Karaca, Erik Lindqvist
B-204 · 17:00
Public review
Studio III mid-term review: the Halic tram corridor
Assoc. Prof. Giulia Marchetti
Studio 4 · 14:00
Lecture
Annual lecture: Repairing, not replacing, the city
Prof. Leyla Aksoy
Aula · 18:30
Faculty
Who teaches here
Office hours are listed in the directory; no appointment needed.
Prof. Leyla Aksoy
Professor of Urban Theory
Prof. Daniel Okafor
Professor of Urban Economics
Assoc. Prof. Kerem Yalın
Associate Professor of Planning History
Assoc. Prof. Giulia Marchetti
Associate Professor of Urban Design
