Associate Prof, Izmir Democracy University, Turkey📜
Dr. Sevim Pelin Öztürk (Özkan) is an esteemed Associate Professor in City and Regional Planning at İzmir Democracy University, Turkey. With a strong academic background in urban planning, GIS-based spatial analysis, and sustainability, she has significantly contributed to research on spatial equity, urban resilience, and environmental planning. Her expertise extends to international and domestic research projects focusing on urban development, public space accessibility, and food systems transformation. Dr. Öztürk has numerous scholarly publications, serving as a valuable resource for academia and policy-making in urban studies.
Profile
Orcid
Education 🎓
Dr. Öztürk earned her Bachelor’s (2010), Master’s (2013), and Ph.D. (2019) degrees from the İzmir Institute of Technology in City and Regional Planning. Her doctoral dissertation, “GIS-based Spatial Equity Mapping and Park Provision at Neighborhood Scale: İzmir Case,” explored spatial justice in urban spaces. In 2022, she was appointed as an Associate Professor in Architecture, Planning, and Design at İzmir Democracy University.
Professional Experience 🏛️
Currently, Dr. Öztürk serves as a full-time Associate Professor at İzmir Democracy University (2020–present). She previously worked as a Doctor Lecturer at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (2019–2020) and as a Research Assistant at İzmir Institute of Technology (2011–2019). Her expertise in urban planning, GIS applications, and spatial analysis has greatly contributed to urban studies and development policies.
Research Interests 🔬
Dr. Öztürk’s research focuses on urban planning, spatial equity, GIS-based analysis, sustainable cities, public space accessibility, and food system transformations. Her work emphasizes spatial justice, resilience strategies in shrinking cities, and sustainable urban development, with a multidisciplinary approach integrating technology and policy-making.
Awards & Grants 🏆
She has received significant research funding, including TÜBİTAK 1001 projects on urban accessibility and spatial equity and participation in international projects like Horizon 2020 FUSILLI, which promotes urban food system transformation. Her research contributions have been instrumental in urban sustainability and resilience studies.
Publications 📚
Karakaya Ayalp, E., Öztürk, S. P., & Geçer Sargın, F. (2025) – The Alternative Food Geography in Europe: An Elaboration Through the Socio-Metabolic Approach. Sustainability, 17(4), 1603. 🔗 Link (SSCI)
Fernández-Casal, L., Karakaya Ayalp, E., Öztürk, S. P., et al. (2025) – The Quality Turn of Food Deserts into Food Oases in European Cities. Agriculture, 15(3), 229. 🔗 Link (SSCI)
Şenol, F., Öztürk, S.P., & Atay Kaya, İ. (2023) – An urban plan evaluation for park accessibility: A case in Izmir (Türkiye). Urban Design International. 🔗 Link (SSCI)
Öztürk, S. P., & Ayalp, E. K. (2022) – Permanent residency under temporary protection: Syrian refugees’ (steady) agglomeration pattern in Turkey. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 49(8), 2287–2289. 🔗 Link (SSCI)
Öztürk, S.P. (2021) – The era of digital transformation: Visualizing the geography of e-commerce usage in Turkey. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 53(6), 1241-1243. 🔗 Link (SSCI)
Conclusion
Dr. Sevim Pelin Öztürk demonstrates strong credentials as a researcher with substantial contributions to city and regional planning, spatial equity, and environmental sustainability. Her publication record, funded projects, and interdisciplinary research make her a competitive candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Strengthening global collaborations and assuming leadership roles in international projects would further solidify her standing in the field. 🚀