Osman BALABAN

Osman BALABAN is a Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Urban Policy Planning (UPL) and a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning (CRP) from METU. After completing his postdoctoral fellowship at the United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) in Japan (2009-2012), he returned to METU where he teaches courses such as Urban Politics, Planning Studios, and Environmental Politics and Policy.

His research focuses on urban political analysis, climate-resilient urbanism, low-carbon development, and the interplay between construction sectors and urban sustainability. His work emphasizes equity in climate policy, urban regeneration effectiveness, and governance challenges in implementing environmental co-benefits. Notable projects include analyses of urban regeneration in Japan and climate adaptation strategies in Turkish metropolitan cities.

His publications span peer-reviewed journals like Local Environment and Journal of Cleaner Production, as well as edited volumes on urban biodiversity and green governance. He actively contributes to international discussions on climate justice, sustainable urban development, and the role of local governments in mitigating global environmental challenges.