Yücel Can SEVERCAN

Yücel Can SEVERCAN is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. He holds a PhD in Design and Planning from the University of Colorado at Denver. His research focuses on urban design, participatory planning, and child-centered urban development. He has taught courses at METU since 2014, including core studios and research methods, and previously at the University of Colorado system.

Education:

• PhD in Design and Planning, University of Colorado at Denver (2012)
• MSc in Urban Design, METU (2006)
• BCP in City and Regional Planning, METU (2003)

Research interests emphasize sustainable urban regeneration, industrial heritage conservation, and the intersection of environmental psychology with urban form. He leads projects funded by TÜBİTAK and EU, such as studies on mass housing satisfaction and participatory design simulations. His work bridges academic research with community engagement, particularly involving children and marginalized groups in urban planning processes.

Notable grants include "The Link Between Urban Form, Air Quality and Childhood Asthma" (TÜBİTAK, 2020–present) and "Child-Friendly Istanbul" (EU, 2010), which pioneered youth participation in city planning. He has organized structured dialogues and policy initiatives through Erasmus+ programs, emphasizing equitable urban development.

His publications span peer-reviewed journals like Urban Studies and International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, addressing topics from children’s place attachment to industrial heritage management. He actively contributes to international conferences and serves on editorial boards, advancing participatory methodologies in planning education.