Zeynep Enlil

Zeynep Enlil is a retired faculty member of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Yıldız Technical University (YTU). She holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle East Technical University, a master’s degree from Cleveland State University, and a PhD from Washington University.

Her research and teaching have focused on urban development policies, neoliberal urbanization, the history and theories of urban planning, urban regeneration, the role of cultural and creative sectors in urban and regional development, as well as urban conservation and tourism. She co-led the research group on cultural industries, cultural heritage, and tourism as part of the 2006 Istanbul Metropolitan Area Environmental Master Plan. She also co-directed the Istanbul Cultural Heritage and Cultural Economy Inventory Project, supported by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, and contributed to the Istanbul Tourism Master Plan for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Enlil has served as a group leader in international research consortia funded by the Horizon2020 ERA-NET Cofund program and currently serves on the Management Committee of the COST Action titled Global Network on Cultural Heritage Conservation Under Climate Change.

Enlil has played active roles in various national and international organizations. She served as Vice President responsible for the Young Planning Professionals Program at ISOCARP (International Society of City and Regional Planners) from 2005 to 2011, a member of the ICOMOS Turkey National Committee (2021–2024), Vice President of EUROPA NOSTRA Turkey (2016–2024), President of GPEAN (Global Planning Education Associations Network) from 2022 to 2024, and as YTU’s representative on the Council of AESOP (Association of European Schools of Planning) from 2011 to 2025. Through these roles, Enlil has made significant contributions at both the national and international levels in the fields of urban planning, cultural heritage, and sustainable urban development.