Dr Ayse Ozbil Torun

Associate Professor

School: Architecture and Built Environment

Ayse Ozbil Torun Senior Lecturer Dr. Ayşe Özbil Torun received her B.Sc. (2000) and M.Arch (2002) degrees in Architecture from Yıldız Technical University and Middle East Technical University respectively. She obtained her Ph.D. (2010) degree in Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology with dissertation titled “Walking to the Station: The Effects of Street Connectivity on Walkability and Access to Transit”. During her Ph.D. studies she taught architectural design studio for 4 consecutive years at Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture. Before joining Northumbria University as a Senior Lecturer, Dr. Özbil Torun worked at Okan University Department of Architecture as an assistant professor and at Özyeğin University as an Associate Professor between 2010 and 2013 and between 2013 and 2017 respectively. She currently teaches at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, including Architectural History & Theory, Design studio, and PhD and MSc supervision.

Dr. Ozbil Torun`s research interests mainly lie in the fields of spatial modeling and urban form analysis using space syntax techniques. Her work is directed towards pedestrian-friendly neighborhood and street design strategies enhancing active transportation in cities. Her recent studies have focused on walkability and obesity, transit-oriented planning, and design of sustainable cities. Dr. Özbil Torun has been a member of the editorial board of Urban Design International since 2012, and her work has been published nationally and internationally.

Campus Address

Ellison Building C202
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

Email Ayse

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Associations of children's mental wellbeing and the urban form characteristics of their everyday places, Severcan, Y., Ozbil Torun, A., Defeyter, M., Bingol, H., Akın, I. 1 May 2025, In: Cities
Mapping the Habitation Patterns and Socio-ecological Dynamics of Kittiwakes along the River Tyne, Jin, J., Ozbil Torun, A., Zhai, B. 17 Jun 2025, Urban Morphology in the age Artificial Intelligence, Turin, Italy, Politecnico di Torino
Measuring Walkability in the Digital Age: Data-led Analysis and Spatial Modelling, Wiles, J., Alvanides, S., Ozbil Torun, A. 29 Apr 2025, Sustainable Communities through Digital Transformation, London, Routledge
Towards child-friendly and walkable cities: Children’s insights on neighbourhood design, Michail, N., Ozbil Torun, A., Parnell, R. 9 May 2025, In: Cities & Health
Building Active Journeys: Creating Spaces to Support Children’s Mobility, Censoro, J., Ozbil Torun, A. Oct 2024
Can urban design be a science for health studies?, Koohsari, M., Kaczynski, A., Ozbil Torun, A., Oka, K. 3 Jul 2024, In: Urban Design International
Children’s Perspectives of Neighbourhood Spaces: Gender-Based Insights From Participatory Mapping and GIS Analysis, Ozbil Torun, A., Akın, I., Bingol, H., Defeyter, M., Severcan, Y. 13 Nov 2024, In: Urban Planning
Multiple accessibility analyses of neighborhoods in Sydney, Ozbil Torun, A., Gocer, O., Alvanides, S. 18 Apr 2024, SOAC 2023, Melbourne, Australia, Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)
Urban design, planning and high-street revitalisation, Clarke, W., Ozbil Torun, A. 16 Oct 2024, 8th Healthy City Design International Congress
Walking to School: What Streets Do Children Prefer?, Michail, N., Ozbil Torun, A. 30 Sep 2024, In: Urban Planning

Current and Recent Projects

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
'Navigating Urban Ecologies: Mapping the Habitation Patterns and Socio-ecological Dynamics of Kittiwakes along the River Tyne, Jin, J. (Principal Investigator), Ozbil Torun, A. (Co Investigator), Arts & Humanities Research Council, 01/02/25 - 31/01/26, £102,445.00

Professional Activity

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Consultancy: Exploring the Use of Virtual Reality in Spatial Perception and Architectural Design Processes 2024
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: Architecture Media Politics and Society: Global Health Conference – Environments by Design: Health, Wellbeing, and Place 2021
Publication Peer-review: Environment & Planning B (Journal) 2018
Publication Peer-review: Heliyon (Journal) 2018
Publication Peer-review: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (Journal) 2018
Publication Peer-review: Journal of Transport and Health (Journal) 2018
Publication Peer-review: METU Journal of the Faculty of Architecture (Journal) 2016
Editorial work: Urban Design International (Journal) 2012
Oral presentation: Mathematics as Means of Design Process: Compositional Principles in the Organization of the ‘Turkish House’ and Sedad Hakki Eldem’s Works 2004
Organising a conference, workshop, ...: International Gazimagusa Symposium 2004

PGR Supervision

Xinyuan Zhang Towards Sustainable Urban Living: The 15-Minute City Initiative in Gateshead OR Re-Configuring the sustainable city: an evidence-based framework for an inclusive and healthy community Start Date: 01/10/2025
Aslihan Çevik Start Date: 20/01/2025