Research Information System
Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Yildiz Technical University, Graduate School Of Natural And Applied Sciences, Applied Urban Science and Urban Innovation, Turkey
Approval Date: 2025
Thesis Language: English
Student: Eda GÖRÜN
Supervisor: Erhan Kurtarır
Abstract:
In an era defined by multiple crises ranging from climate change, environmental degradation to socio-economic inequality, cities are increasingly compelled to adopt data-driven and innovative approaches. Nonetheless, conventional planning practices often fall short in addressing these dynamic and complex issues revealing the urgent need for data-driven approaches. This thesis argues that effective urban planning and management relies on a robust, data-driven approach, positioning value-based urban data as the cornerstone for developing innovative solutions.
The real impact of urban policies is directly tied to how urban data is defined, its quality, and how it is managed. This study suggests a new way of looking at urban data emphasizing transparency, contextual relevance and public value. Within this framework, the urban observatory model is presented as a comprehensive approach that integrates data governance, public engagement and policy relevance.
Through a comprehensive literature review, it traces the historical evolution of urban data use, explores global standards, initiatives and apply a critical lens to data-centric paradigms such as the smart city model. The research proceeds with a comparative case study of five urban observatories recognized by UN-Habitat. Using a comparative matrix, the institutional models, thematic focus, digital infrastructure, participatory features and contribution to urban policy of these observatories are analyzed to uncover best practices, common success factors and challenges.
The findings illustrate how urban observatories can foster sustainable urban data ecosystems when designed with robust governance mechanisms. The study ultimately offers guiding principles for urban practitioners, particularly in Türkiye, where urban data initiatives remain emergent. It advocates for the adoption of urban observatory models tailored to local conditions, promoting ethical and participatory urban data governance. This research contributes both conceptually and empirically to the growing discourse on data-driven urbanism and lays the groundwork for future studies on urban observatories and holistic urban data ecosystems.
Keywords: Urban observatories, value-based urban data, data-driven urban planning, urban innovation.