KENT 601 Research Methods and Ethics in City and Region Studies
The course aims to examine social research methods in the context of urban and regional studies. The course focuses on quantitative and qualitative research techniques. The course covers research methods, research design, data collection, sampling techniques and data analysis. Students are expected to submit reports at various stages in a study that includes a small field research and/or literature review on a specific topic.
KENT 602 Urban planning and theory
The evolution of the planning theory in the systematic of thought and the approaches that form the basis of the planning theory. Fundamentals, content and criticism of physical planning. Fundamentals, content and criticism of comprehensive rational planning. Strategic planning approaches, foundations, content and criticism. Instrumental rationality and communicative rationality. Public interest, consensus, negotiation and participation in the changing structure of the basic concepts of planning. The legitimacy of planning, the ethics of planning, power and conflict in planning, the changing role of the planner
KENT 690 Seminar
The course involves independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor, focusing on: • Identifying a research topic • Conducting a comprehensive literature review • Preparing a seminar report • Delivering a seminar presentation • Evaluating feedback and finalizing the report
KENT 696 Proficiency exam
This course involves independent study under the guidance of a faculty Supervisor, focusing on preparing for the doctoral proficiency examination. The content includes: • Comprehensive review of core and specialized subjects within the discipline • Critical analysis of current literature and research methodologies • Development of research questions and hypotheses • Preparation for the written and oral examination components • Evaluation of ethical considerations in research
KENT 699 Doctoral thesis
The aim of this course is to enable students to conduct an original and independent scientific research project under the supervision of an academic Supervisor. The course guides students through identifying a research problem, designing a methodological framework, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting findings, and reporting results in the form of a doctoral dissertation.
KENT 634 Changing cities, society and design practices
This course examines the impact of global changes, social transformations and technological developments on cities and their reflections on design practices. Changes in the spatial structures and social dynamics of cities from the industrial revolution to the digital age are discussed. The course aims to examine current design approaches and practices that respond to changing needs and demands, both theoretically and practically. Students gain the ability to develop new design strategies by analyzing urban change processes through examples from different periods.
KENT 635 Cultural Heritage and Conservation Policies
This course aims to provide an in-depth examination of the conservation of cultural heritage and the planning approaches employed in this process. Starting with the definition of cultural heritage, the course will address the theoretical foundations of heritage conservation and management, internationally recognized methods, and practical examples. Conservation planning will be evaluated not only in terms of the physical fabric and structures but also in the context of sustaining the cultural identities, social bonds, and local values of communities.
KENT 637 Urban Risks and Mitigation
Based on natural disasters and their effects on settlements, the course aims to establish the relationship between disaster management and planning. For this, giving general information about disasters and their types, the risks produced by modern industrial society and the relationship between disasters and economic development, how disaster management approaches have evolved, the components and processes of disaster risk management, the effects of disasters, and the situations that create urban fragility are discussed. These discussions are based on the concepts of sustainability, risk society, resilience and avoidance. Theoretical information on disaster management is supported by examining world examples, especially Turkish cities. The main learning outcome of the course is to provide awareness, knowledge and experience in integrating disaster risk management issues and avoidance objectives into urban planning studies.
KENT 638 Development Planning
Within the scope of the course, the concept of development and the relationship between urban and regional planning will be examined from a theoretical and empirical perspective. In this context, the course will examine concepts such as development, regional development, unequal development, underdevelopment, sustainability, quality of life, and then focus on their relationship with planning. Within the scope of the course, development theories will also be emphasized.
KENT 639 Analysis and Methods in Regional Science and Planning
Industrial location, regional economic impact, regional specialization, environmental impact, and spatial social and economic analyses are central to regional science and planning. This course will focus on the fundamental analytical methods within regional science and planning. The assumptions, structure, and applications of these methods will be covered. In this context, the course will explain localization measures, location selection, the economic base model, shift-share analysis, input-output tables, and potential and spatial interaction models.
KENT 641 Sustainable Urban Regeneration
This course aims to evaluate urban regeneration approaches within the framework of sustainability principles. It explores urban transformation areas in terms of physical, social, economic, and environmental dimensions, emphasizing the preservation of existing building stock, social equity, and ecological sensitivity through an integrated approach.
KENT 642 Migration, Adaptation and Urban Space in Turkey
This course aims to examine the migration phenomenon in a historical and theoretical framework and to examine the migration dynamics in Turkey together with their spatial effects. Different types of migration, from rural to urban migration to international migration; from forced migration to brain drain, will be discussed and the effects of these processes on urbanization, spatial adaptation and social integration will be evaluated. Within the scope of the course, the reflections of migration on urban space production processes, housing, labor market and public services will also be addressed with an interdisciplinary perspective.
KENT 646 Housing Economics, Policies and Transformation of Residential Areas
In this course, basic concepts related to housing economics, main approaches to housing policies and evaluation methods of new housing investments and transformation projects of housing areas will be covered.
KENT 647 Big Data and Urban Planning in the Digital Age
This course is designed to explore the utilization of big data derived from various sources, including social media and the Internet of Things (IOT), within the context of urban planning discipline. Its primary objective is to provide a critical examination of the role of big data in deciphering the complex structures of urban systems, as well as its significance in urban analysis, a fundamental component of the planning process. Furthermore, the course will also address the different forms that big data can take, as well as the legal and ethical dimensions of the subject.
KENT 648 Spatial Data Analytics with Python
This course aims to develop the ability to perform spatial data analysis using the Python programming language. The course will cover Python data types, algorithmic coding, data manipulation, data visualization, exploratory data analysis, and basic techniques for spatial data analysis. Students will learn to read and process data formats such as CSV, shapefile, and GeoJSON, and conduct spatial analysis and mapping through libraries such as GeoPandas and Folium. By the end of the semester, students will develop a data-driven spatial analysis project addressing an urban or regional problem of their own choice.