Onur MENGİ

Assoc. Prof. Onur Mengi is the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Izmir University of Economics, where he holds an Associate Professorship in Industrial Design. He holds a PhD in City Planning (2015), M.S. in Urban Design (2009), and B.Sc. in City and Regional Planning (2006) from İzmir Institute of Technology and Dokuz Eylül University. His research focuses on creative industries, urban design, placemaking, and systems thinking, with emphasis on knowledge ecosystems and innovation frameworks.

Research Interests: His work explores creative placemaking strategies, urban knowledge ecologies, design management, and sustainable urban development. Notable projects include studies on Izmir’s fashion clusters, Brisbane’s casual creative environments, and crime-prevention design models. He collaborates with Queensland University of Technology’s Design Lab, emphasizing transdisciplinary approaches.

Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters address urban creativity, design thinking, and policy frameworks. Key publications include frameworks for creative place management and analyses of casual creative ecosystems in urban contexts. Recent works examine smart mobility and adaptive reuse strategies in the experience economy.

• Administrative Roles: Vice Dean (2019-present), Head of Design Management Program (2018–2019), Graduate School Coordinator (2015–2017)
• Grants: Led projects on crime-prevention urban design (BAP 2018–2019), Menemen pottery revitalization (BAP 2014–2015), and climate-sensitive urban evaluation (BAP 2009–2010)

Labs/Initiatives: Involved in Izmir’s Knowledge Cities initiatives, disaster management spatial planning, and slow neighborhood transformation projects with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.