Dr Derya Oktay (BArch, MSc, PgDipUD, PhD) is both an architect and a licensed urban designer (CNAA, UK) and Professor at Maltepe University Faculty of Architecture and Design. She was a researcher and visiting professor/researcher in various institutions in the UK, USA and Italy. Her research interests are urban design, sustainable urbanism/housing and architecture, social-spatial aspects of public urban spaces, architectural education for sustainability, identity and quality of life in cities.