Student Resources

Urbanwise provides beneficial tools for Urban planning students to discover valuable insights and resources for enhancing their understanding of upcoming lectures at university.

Inspiration and Social Platforms

Pinterest serves as a dynamic visual discovery engine that not only curates design examples and urban photography from a global community but also enables users to organize and categorize their inspirations through customizable boards. For students of urban planning, this platform offers a unique opportunity to explore a vast and diverse collection of ideas—from innovative building facades and public space interventions to detailed case studies of urban transformation—allowing them to track emerging trends, compare stylistic approaches, and rapidly iterate on design concepts. The immediacy and ease of use foster creative exploration, making it an indispensable tool for visual brainstorming and conceptual development.

Behance

Behance is a leading professional portfolio platform where creative practitioners in architecture, urban design, and graphic design showcase their completed projects and in-depth case studies. This platform goes beyond static images by offering detailed narratives that explain the creative process, design challenges, and innovative solutions behind each project. For students, Behance is invaluable as it provides access to real-world examples of project development and execution, allowing them to study how professionals integrate theory with practice. The platform's community-driven feedback and peer networking opportunities also foster professional growth and inspire students to refine their own design processes.

ArchDaily

ArchDaily is a premier online resource dedicated to architectural projects, urban development, and innovative design practices. It provides comprehensive articles, critical analyses, and project reviews that offer detailed insights into global best practices and contemporary trends in urban planning and architecture. For students, ArchDaily is not only a repository of high-quality, award-winning projects but also a critical reference for understanding the contextual, cultural, and technological factors that influence design decisions. The platform’s in-depth features and scholarly commentary help students appreciate the complexity of urban design and serve as a bridge between academic theory and practical, real-world applications.

Essential Readings and Reference Books

The Death and Life of Great

American Cities

by Jane Jacobs

This seminal work critiques modern urban planning practices and emphasizes the importance of vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods, influencing generations of planners.

The Image of the City

by Kevin Lynch

Lynch introduces key concepts such as legibility and the urban image, providing a framework for understanding how inhabitants perceive and navigate their cities.

City of Quartz

by Mike Davis

Davis offers a critical look at urban development and the socio-political forces that shape cities, challenging conventional planning paradigms.

The Social Life of Small

Urban Space

by William H. Whyte

This book combines observation with analysis to reveal how public spaces function, providing practical insights into creating engaging and livable urban environments.

Cities for People

by Jan Gehl

Gehl’s work emphasizes human-scale design and the importance of creating cities that promote social interaction and well-being.

Triumph of the City

by Edward Glaeser

Glaeser explains the economic and social dynamics that drive urban success, offering data-driven insights into urban growth and prosperity.

The City Shaped: Urban Patterns

and Meanings Through History

by Spiro Kostof

Kostof’s comprehensive historical analysis of urban form provides context on how cities have evolved over time, enriching students’ understanding of spatial development.

Urban Fortunes: The Political Economy of Place

by John R. Logan & Harvey L. Molotch

This book delves into the relationship between economic forces and urban spatial dynamics, offering critical perspectives on how urban spaces are shaped by market processes.

Kentleşme Politikası

by Ruşen Keleş

It is a seminal work that examines urbanization and the formulation of urban policies in Turkey. It critically analyzes the interplay of political, economic, and social factors that drive city growth and transformation.

Software Tools and Digital Programs

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a premier CAD software developed by Autodesk, recognized for its robust capabilities in producing highly accurate 2D and 3D technical drawings. It supports a wide array of drafting and annotation tools, enabling urban planners to create detailed site plans, building layouts, and infrastructure designs with precision. Its extensive layer management, customization options, and compatibility with other design software make it indispensable for ensuring that complex projects meet both technical standards and aesthetic requirements.

ArcGIS

ArcGIS, developed by Esri, is a comprehensive Geographic Information System that excels in spatial analysis, mapping, and data integration. It provides a powerful platform for urban planners to analyze spatial relationships, manage large datasets, and generate detailed, interactive maps. With advanced geoprocessing tools and the ability to overlay multiple data layers, ArcGIS enables informed decision-making by visualizing patterns and trends within the urban fabric, ultimately supporting sustainable and strategic planning efforts.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a leading image editing software that is critical for enhancing visual presentations in urban planning. It allows planners to edit and composite photographs, create high-quality graphics, and produce detailed infographics that clearly communicate complex data. Its powerful tools for retouching, color correction, and layering enable the creation of polished, professional visuals that support both academic research and real-world planning projects.

PTV Visum

PTV Visum is a comprehensive transportation planning software designed to model and forecast travel demand at both regional and urban scales. It supports detailed analysis of traffic flows, modal splits, and route choices, allowing urban planners to evaluate the impacts of infrastructure projects, policy changes, and network modifications on travel behavior. With its robust simulation capabilities and integration of geographic data, PTV VISUM is essential for developing sustainable transportation strategies and optimizing mobility within urban environments.

IBM SPSS

SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is a robust statistical analysis software widely used in social sciences and urban planning research. It provides advanced tools for data management, statistical modeling, and hypothesis testing, enabling planners to analyze survey data, conduct complex multivariate analyses, and derive insights that inform evidence-based decision-making. Its user-friendly interface and extensive range of statistical procedures make it a valuable resource for handling quantitative research in urban studies and related fields.

NetCAD

NetCAD is a versatile drafting and mapping tool widely used in regions where local standards and practices are essential. It offers a comprehensive suite of functions for creating detailed architectural and engineering drawings, while its integration with regional data formats and surveying standards ensures that projects are tailored to specific geographic and regulatory contexts. Its user-friendly interface and robust mapping capabilities facilitate precise planning and documentation for urban development projects.

SketchUp

SketchUp is renowned for its intuitive 3D modeling environment, allowing users to quickly develop and visualize design concepts. Its simplicity in creating detailed 3D representations makes it an excellent tool for conceptualizing urban forms and architectural elements, enabling planners to explore various design scenarios and refine ideas in a visually engaging manner. The software's compatibility with a broad range of plugins and its ability to produce realistic models help bridge the gap between conceptual sketches and practical design solutions.

Lumion

Lumion is a cutting-edge real-time 3D visualization software that excels in creating immersive, photorealistic renderings and animations of urban projects. By converting detailed models from design tools like SketchUp or AutoCAD into vivid visual presentations, Lumion allows planners and designers to effectively communicate their vision. Its advanced lighting, material simulation, and animation capabilities enable the creation of dynamic walkthroughs and presentations that capture the essence of a project and its impact on the urban environment.

PTV Vissim

PTV Vissim is an advanced traffic simulation software that models detailed vehicle and pedestrian interactions in urban traffic networks. It offers a microscopic simulation environment where planners can analyze the dynamic behavior of traffic under various scenarios, assess congestion, and evaluate the performance of traffic management measures. By simulating real-world traffic conditions, PTV Vissim enables planners to test and refine solutions for improving mobility, enhancing road safety, and achieving efficient traffic flow in complex urban settings.

Çevrimiçi Öğrenme ve Eğitimler

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning, yazılım eğitimi, teknik beceriler, liderlik ve yaratıcı konulardan geniş bir yelpazeye yayılan profesyonelce üretilmiş video kursları sunan bir platformdur. LinkedIn ile entegrasyonu sayesinde öğrenciler, edindikleri becerileri profesyonel profillerinde sergileyebilir, kişiselleştirilmiş kurs önerileri alabilir ve sektörel gelişmeleri takip edebilir. Abonelik modeli, sürekli olarak güncellenen içeriklere erişimi sağladığı için, kentsel planlama ve ilgili alanlarda kariyer gelişimi ve yaşam boyu öğrenme için güvenilir bir kaynak sunar.

Coursera

Coursera, dünya çapında önde gelen üniversiteler ve kurumlarla işbirliği yaparak yüksek kaliteli çevrimiçi kurslar, uzmanlık alanları ve tam derece programları sunar. Yapılandırılmış müfredatı, genellikle akran değerlendirmeli ödevler ve etkileşimli forumlarla desteklenerek geleneksel sınıf öğrenimi ile benzer bir akademik ciddiyet sunar. Coursera’nın sertifika ve derece programları, profesyonel yetkinlikleri artırarak kentsel planlama, mekânsal analiz ve politika çalışmaları alanlarında teorik bilgi ve pratik becerilerini derinleştirmek isteyen öğrenciler için değerli bir araçtır.

Udemy

Udemy, bireysel eğitmenlerin çok çeşitli konularda kurslar sunduğu geniş bir çevrimiçi öğrenme pazar yeridir. Platform, başlangıç düzeyinden ileri düzey profesyonel eğitimlere kadar geniş bir içerik yelpazesi sunar ve öğrencilerin öğrenme deneyimlerini kendi ihtiyaçlarına göre şekillendirmelerine olanak tanır. Udemy’nin esnek, talep üzerine formatı ve satın alınan kurslara ömür boyu erişim imkânı, öğrencilerin kendi hızlarında ilerlemelerine yardımcı olur. Bu özellik, kentsel planlama ve tasarıma dair hem temel hem de özel beceriler edinmek için mükemmel bir kaynaktır.

YouTube

YouTube, sektörel profesyoneller ve akademik uzmanlar tarafından sunulan eğitim içeriklerine, derslere ve vaka çalışmalarına ücretsiz erişim sağlar. Video formatı, öğrencilere kentsel planlama kavramlarının, yazılım uygulamalarının ve tasarım tekniklerinin gerçek dünya uygulamalarını görsel ve pratik bir şekilde sunar. Mimari tasarım, CBS, kentsel planlama teorisi ve daha fazlasına adanmış kanallar sayesinde, YouTube, resmi eğitimin tamamlayıcısı olarak çok değerli ve kolay erişilebilir bir kaynaktır.

Profesyonel Organizasyonlar ve Akademik Dergiler

American Planning Association (APA)

APA, planlamacılar, politika yapıcılar ve araştırmacılar için merkezi bir hub işlevi gören önde gelen bir profesyonel organizasyondur. Politika güncellemeleri, araştırma yayınları ve konferanslar gibi kaynaklar sunarak, ağ kurma ve bilgi paylaşımını teşvik eder. APA üyeliği, en iyi uygulamalara erişim, sürekli eğitim fırsatları ve kentsel planlama alanındaki gelişmeleri takip etmek isteyen profesyonellerden oluşan bir toplulukla etkileşim imkânı sağlar. Bu nedenle, öğrencilere sektörün en güncel gelişmeleriyle etkileşimde bulunma fırsatı sunar.