Nil UZUN

Nil UZUN is a Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara. Her research focuses on gentrification, urban residential transformation, and urban sociology, with a particular emphasis on Turkish cities like Istanbul and Ankara. She holds a PhD from Utrecht University and has authored or co-edited numerous books and articles on urban policy, governance, and spatial transformation.

Education:

• PhD in Urban Studies, Utrecht University
• MSc in Regional Planning, Middle East Technical University
• BCP (Bachelor of City Planning), Middle East Technical University

Research Focus:

Professor UZUN explores how urban renewal policies shape socio-spatial dynamics, particularly through gentrification processes. Her work analyzes the interplay between legal frameworks, housing policies, and grassroots urban transformations. Key themes include the social impacts of urban regeneration, the role of social capital in economic adaptation, and the evolution of informal settlements into formal urban fabrics.

Publications Trends:

Her recent work addresses 21st-century urban transformation policies, state-led gentrification mechanisms, and housing crises in Turkey. Earlier studies highlight Istanbul’s historical gentrification patterns and Ankara’s squatter settlement regeneration projects. She frequently critiques legal reforms affecting urban development and advocates for equitable urban planning frameworks.

Awards and Grants:

No awards explicitly listed, though her sustained academic contributions indicate potential recognition in urban studies fields.

Teaching and Advising:

Teaches core courses on urban sociology, urbanization processes, and planning studios. Has advised multiple graduate projects on urban transformation, though specific student names are not listed in available texts.

Labs/Teams:

Active in METU’s urban research initiatives but specific lab affiliations not detailed in provided materials.