Prof. Dr. Faris Karahan | Landscape Planning | Best Researcher Award
Professor | Ataturk University | Turkey
Prof. Dr. Faris Karahan is a distinguished academic in the field of landscape architecture, known for his contributions to sustainable landscape planning, cultural heritage management, and ecological design. After completing his undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies at Atatürk University, he quickly advanced in academia, achieving the rank of full professor. His career includes international experience as a visiting scholar in the United Kingdom and leadership roles in academic, cultural, and environmental organizations. With decades of research, teaching, and project involvement, Prof. Dr. Faris Karahan has become a respected figure shaping both academic knowledge and practical applications in landscape architecture.
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Education
Prof. Dr. Faris Karahan academic journey began at Atatürk University, where he completed his undergraduate studies in landscape architecture, followed by a master’s degree and a doctorate focusing on ecological landscape planning and plant use in alpine regions. His doctoral research explored the Erzurum–Rize highway corridor as a scenic route with landscape potential. Later, he pursued postdoctoral research at Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom, expanding his expertise in tourism, events, and hospitality management. Alongside formal degrees, he undertook extensive training in ecological planning, GIS, project management, and eco-tourism under programs funded by international institutions and national scientific organizations.
Experience
Prof. Dr. Faris Karahan has built a remarkable academic career at Atatürk University, where he progressed from research assistant to professor, eventually serving as head of the Department of Landscape Architecture. His experience includes leading departmental boards, coordinating Erasmus programs, and lecturing in vocational schools. Internationally, he enriched his expertise as a visiting scholar in the UK. Beyond academia, he has directed large-scale projects supported by the EU, UNDP, TÜBİTAK, and governmental ministries, covering environmental design, eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and sustainable rural development. His leadership of the Çağlayan Science, Culture, and Art Association further reflects his commitment to community-focused initiatives.
Research Interests
Prof. Dr. Faris Karahan research interests span across landscape architecture, ecological planning, cultural heritage management, and sustainable tourism. His work often bridges natural sciences and social development, integrating ecological approaches with cultural and recreational needs. He has explored alpine vegetation in landscape use, sustainable rural tourism in protected areas, and the management of agricultural terraces in mountainous regions. Additionally, his studies emphasize cultural heritage preservation, vernacular architecture, geoparks, and eco-tourism as strategies for sustainable development. By combining academic research with applied projects, his scholarship advances both theoretical understanding and real-world practices in sustainable land management and heritage conservation.
Awards
Prof. Dr. Faris Karahan has been recognized with significant honors for his academic and professional contributions. His project “The Dream of Environmental Design: Landcad Education” received a European Union-supported regional success award, standing out among hundreds of submissions. Later, his “Erzurum Garden” project at EXPO Antalya earned a Special Jury Award for its innovative design and cultural emphasis. His achievements reflect his capacity to combine creativity, ecological sensitivity, and cultural values into impactful projects. These awards not only highlight his academic excellence but also his ability to transform ideas into practical solutions that enhance environmental sustainability and regional cultural identity.
Top Noted Publications
Title: Evaluation of the ecotourism potential of Uzundere district and its immediate surroundings
Year: 2010
Cited by: 55
Title: Determination of bioclimatic comfort in the Erzurum–Rize expressway corridor using GIS
Year: 2010
Cited by: 51
Title: Use of geopark resource values for sustainable tourism: a case study from Turkey (Cittaslow Uzundere)
Year: 2021
Cited by: 50
Title: Evaluation of vernacular architecture of Uzundere District (architectural typology and physical form of building) in relation to ecological sustainable development
Year: 2020
Cited by: 48
Title: Water-based opportunities for rural recreation planning in the Uzundere Valley of the Çoruh Basin
Year: 2009
Cited by: 48
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