Prof. Dr. Dogan Dursun | Social Sciences | Ataturk University | Turkey
Prof. Dr. Doğan Dursun is a distinguished academic in the field of City and Regional Planning at Ataturk University, where he has served since 2012. With a B.S. from Gazi University and a PhD from METU, his career has been marked by cutting-edge work in climate-sensitive urban planning. His expertise encompasses urban adaptation, spatial mapping, and digital simulation, with a special focus on the intersection of urban design and climate change. Prof. Dursun has been an expert consultant for the UNDP since 2019 and has led major EU- and TÜBİTAK-funded projects. His ongoing research explores mental health impacts of climate change, the blue economy, and regional entrepreneurship. He actively integrates sustainable design with policy-based approaches, significantly influencing both academic research and applied planning practices across Türkiye and beyond. With a forward-thinking and systems-based methodology, Prof. Dursun continues to shape the discourse in climate-adaptive urban strategies globally.
Author Profiles
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Education
Prof. Dr. Doğan Dursun began his academic journey at Gazi University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in City and Regional Planning. Motivated by a passion for sustainable development, he pursued doctoral studies at the Middle East Technical University (METU), one of Türkiye’s leading institutions, where he completed his PhD in Urban Planning. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for his specialization in climate-sensitive design and adaptive urban strategies. During his studies, he cultivated expertise in spatial data analysis, ecological urban design, and environmental policy. He also participated in several academic workshops and research symposiums focusing on regional development and urban resilience. Throughout his educational path, he emphasized a multidisciplinary approach, integrating technology, sociology, and environmental science into planning frameworks. His solid academic foundation has not only shaped his teaching and mentoring style but also positioned him as a thought leader in adaptive and sustainable urban systems.
Experience
Since joining Ataturk University in 2012 as a faculty member in City and Regional Planning, Prof. Dr. Doğan Dursun has contributed immensely to academic instruction, research, and applied planning projects. He has led numerous national and international research initiatives, including TÜBİTAK- and EU-funded programs on urban adaptation, mental health, microclimates, and the blue economy. His consulting roles for UNDP and private sector organizations like HTCD Consulting and Özok Planning have positioned him at the nexus of policy, academia, and industry. Beyond his research and consultancy, Prof. Dursun plays a key role in curriculum development, graduate supervision, and interdisciplinary collaborations. His involvement in projects such as the EU Partnership for Local Climate Action in Türkiye and the Erzurum Climate Action Plan demonstrates his commitment to integrating global sustainability goals into regional planning strategies. He is recognized as a strategic thinker with a practical orientation, driving real-world urban solutions.
Awards and Honors
Prof. Dr. Doğan Dursun has received wide recognition for his impactful contributions to sustainable urban development and adaptive planning. Among his honors is his long-term consultancy with UNDP, a testament to his expertise and credibility in climate-sensitive urban planning. His leadership in securing and executing high-profile EU and TÜBİTAK research grants such as the EU IPA Project on Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation Action has also earned him accolades from institutional and governmental bodies. His work was instrumental in the Erzurum Sustainable Campus Master Plan, which received praise for its environmental innovation. Additionally, he has represented Ataturk University at global venues such as EXPO 2016, highlighting ecological urban design strategies. His international collaborations under the COST Action framework and contributions to the CliMent mental health project further emphasize his role as a global change agent. His honors reflect both academic excellence and policy impact in the social sciences.
Research Focus
Prof. Dr. Doğan Dursun’s research lies at the intersection of urban planning, environmental sustainability, and social resilience. He focuses on climate-sensitive urban design, using digital simulation and spatial analysis to model adaptation strategies for cities affected by climate change. His projects explore urban microclimates, ecological corridors, and mental health impacts of environmental stressors. With a sharp lens on policy and implementation, he investigates how public measures, creative-class migration, and architectural identity shape resilient urban futures. Prof. Dursun is also pioneering research on the blue economy, analyzing socio-ecological dynamics in port cities and coastal communities. His work is heavily interdisciplinary, drawing from urban sociology, environmental psychology, and GIS-based modeling. Through collaborations with the EU, TÜBİTAK, and UNDP, he advances applied frameworks that link urban theory to climate action. His research agenda contributes to policy innovation, academic discourse, and community-level transformations in urban resilience.
Publication Titles
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To What Extent Are Public Policies and Measures Effective in Determining Regional Entrepreneurship?
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Climate Change Impacts on Mental Health in Europe (CliMent): Adaptive Strategies for Affected Groups
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EU Partnership for Local Climate Action in Türkiye
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Rethinking the Blue Economy: Socio-Ecological Impacts and Climate Change (WG5)
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Rethinking the Blue Economy: Port Cities and Coastal Communities (WG3)
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Strategies for Identity-Oriented Urban Design in Erzurum
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Stay-or-Leave Preferences of the Creative Class in a Shrinking City: Erzurum
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Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation Action in Türkiye
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Modeling Ecological Corridors on Microclimate and Pollution in Erzurum
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Closed Stream Beds and Urban Microclimates: Adaptation Perspectives
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Ecological Urban Design Modeling for Erzurum
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International (Bio)Climate Change Symposium
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Preparing Erzurum’s Climate Action Plan
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Scenario-Based Provincial Development Strategies
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Sustainable Campus Master Plan for Ataturk University
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Ataturk University at EXPO 2016
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Ecological Corridor Scenarios for Air Pollution: Erzurum
Conclusion
Prof. Dr. Doğan Dursun exemplifies scholarly leadership and actionable innovation in the field of social sciences, particularly in climate-sensitive urban planning. His cross-disciplinary research, impactful consultancy roles, and global collaborations demonstrate his unwavering commitment to sustainable development. With a growing portfolio of high-impact projects and a forward-looking approach, Prof. Dursun is an ideal candidate for recognition through prestigious research awards.