Ender PEKER

Ender PEKER is an Associate Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Middle East Technical University's Faculty of Architecture in Ankara, Turkey. His academic career spans teaching, research, and practical applications in climate-responsive urban design and planning. With a PhD from the University of Reading (2016), he has established himself as a leading researcher in Turkey's urban climate adaptation field.

His educational background includes a PhD in Real Estate and Planning from the University of Reading (2016), an MSc in Urban Design from Middle East Technical University (2010), and a BSc in City and Regional Planning from the same institution (2007), complemented by a visiting year at the University of Manchester (2005-2006).

PEKER's research focuses on climate-responsive urban design and urbanism, thermal comfort in the built environment, campus design, participatory planning approaches, governance of climate action, and water management. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly examining how urban design can address climate challenges in Turkish cities. His research often employs participatory methods to engage communities in climate adaptation planning.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical implementation of climate adaptation measures, particularly rainwater harvesting systems, thermal comfort solutions, and integrated approaches to climate and disaster risk management. His work increasingly emphasizes the governance challenges of implementing climate action at municipal levels in Turkey.

• Visiting Fellowship, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (2019)
• Mercator-IPC Fellowship (2018)
• Finalist at the "3 Minutes Thesis Competition", University of Reading, UK (2016)
• Çanakkale Green Urban Design Competition, Honourable Mention Award (2013)
• School of Real Estate and Planning PhD Studentship, University of Reading, UK (2012)
• AESOP Excellence in Teaching Award (2012)
• Visiting Fellowship, Oxford Brookes University, UK (2011)

PEKER actively mentors students through thesis supervision and has led numerous research projects addressing climate challenges in Turkish cities. His research portfolio includes significant grants from the UK International Development Program, British Academy, and British Institute at Ankara, focusing on municipal climate adaptation, water management, and sustainable urban development. He has organized multiple international conferences including the Climate Responsive Urbanism Conference series and various symposia through the Urban and Regional Research Network.