Cities of the Future Discussed at IGU: A Visionary Gathering at an Interdisciplinary Summit

The “Cities of the Future Summit”, organized by Istanbul Gelisim University Architecture and Design Club, brought together academics, industry professionals, and students around the themes of sustainability, artificial intelligence, and innovative design. The summit examined the concepts of city, architecture, and space from a multidimensional perspective, offering participants a rich experience both in theory and in practice.

Dean Prof. Bayram Ünal Emphasizes Activity-Supported Visionary Education

IGU Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Prof. Bayram Ünal, speaking at the event, expressed the university's commitment to initiatives of this kind with the following words:
“At IGU, we have always supported activities like these. Bringing students together with experienced professionals from the industry is one of the most important components of a visionary education. Standing out, rather than simply fitting in, is made possible through participation in events like this. Our students, by engaging with the industry, will be better equipped to approach the future with a stronger and more distinctive perspective.”

Interdisciplinary Interaction and Knowledge Sharing at the Fore

The summit was organized under the leadership of IGU Architecture and Design Student Club Supervisor and Director of the Center for Environment, Urbanization and Earth Sciences (CSYBUAM) Director Asst. Prof. Hilay Atalay, with contributions from Architecture and Design Student Club President Ada Alpaslan, Vice President İrem Yarım, and board members Zahraa Taha, Azra Solar, Feride Akıncı, Gülçin Ataş, Baran Sefa Demir, Hilal Caba, Açelya Kılıç, Mervenur Acat, Nisa Ersungur, Sümeyye Usta, and Çağla Dağ.

In the panels and discussions held throughout the summit, participants had the opportunity to hear about current developments from expert speakers, while developing their critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative perspectives. The event also helped students expand their professional networks.

Cities and Architecture of the Future Examined from Different Perspectives

The summit comprised six sessions. In the opening session, AI Specialist İlker Ulubey’s presentation titled “The Transformation of Artificial Intelligence” explored the transformative role of AI in urban planning and architectural processes, drawing attention to how data-driven decision-making is shaping the cities of the future.

Architectural Designer Seren Eker, in her talk titled “AI Applications in Facade Design”, illustrated the impact of artificial intelligence on facade designs that bring together aesthetics and functionality through concrete examples.

Interior Architect Melike Ekşi and Architect Gonca Çetinkaya, in their joint presentation titled “Building the Future”, explained how sustainable and innovative spaces can be conceived through a user-centered design approach.

Architect Abdulkadir Tekin, in his talk titled “Livable and Resilient Cities”, emphasized the importance of cities that are disaster-resilient, environmentally friendly, and human-centered.

Later in the summit, Senior Architect Ece Doğan's presentation titled “Kinetic Architecture and Spatial Belonging in the Cities of the Future” addressed flexible architectural approaches that adapt to changing life dynamics.

Architect Ayberk Aydın, in his talk titled “Cities of the Future”, shared his insights into the architectural vision of cities undergoing transformation alongside technological developments. At the close of each session, plaques were presented to the speakers by Istanbul Gelisim University.

In addition to the informative sessions, a prize Kahoot quiz was held during the summit, giving participants the chance to test their knowledge and compete for surprise prizes in an enjoyable and spirited atmosphere.

Doors Opening to the Future at IGU

The Cities of the Future Summit once again demonstrated Istanbul Gelisim University’s commitment to applied education and its close ties with the industry. Continuing to inspire the professionals of the future through events of this kind, IGU aims to equip its students not only with academic knowledge, but also with vision, experience, and a distinctive perspective.