Photo for Imge Akcakaya Waite

Imge Akcakaya Waite

Dr. Imge Akcakaya Waite is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Istanbul Turkey. She earned her PhD in the Urban Planning Department of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Luskin School of Public Affairs.
How is your experience with UCLA?
Dr. Imge Akcakaya Waite is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). She earned her PhD in the Urban Planning Department of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Luskin School of Public Affairs., with her dissertation titled “Planning, power, politics: Urban redevelopment in Istanbul.”
why to you pick UCLA for?
During her doctoral studies, Dr. Waite took part in research projects at UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Studies and UCLA International Institute, and edited an annual issue of the Journal of Critical Planning. As a faculty member of ITU where she has been affiliated since 2005, Dr. Waite has participated in UN-HABITAT and EU funded projects including the development plan of Prizren, Kosovo, and MATRA-REGIMA, which focused on institutional capacity building for urban regeneration activities in Istanbul in collaboration with Dutch partners. Her research activities have resulted in numerous publications and dissemination activities.


As a land grant institution, the International Institute at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, Southern Channel Islands).


Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential values of the UCLA International Institute. These professed ideals enable us to provide the kind of broad, global, multicultural educational experience central to the Institute’s academic programs. We welcome faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and want everyone at the Institute to feel respected and valued. We are committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion for our students, staff and faculty in our academic programs and centers, as well as on our campus.

The Institute is proud of its over 60-year legacy in preparing individuals who have gone on to make contributions to the business, nonprofit, government and education sectors. As a gateway to the world for the campus and the greater Los Angeles community, the Institute considers equity, diversity and inclusion essential to its mission of educating global citizens and preparing them for a multicultural world and collaborative problem solving.


© 2025 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Privacy & Terms of Use