Urban Literacy from Experiential Learning Perspective: Reconstructing the Right to the City
Room 2
Paper Presentations
Physical
12:00
20 March 2025
The study explores the transformative potential of experiential learning in fostering urban literacy, particularly in addressing spatial inequalities and enhancing individuals’ ability to claim their “right to the city.” It examines how urban environments, as spaces of constant interaction, often passively shape individuals’ daily experiences while perpetuating social and spatial inequalities. Drawing on Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, Henri Lefebvre’s concept of the right to the city, and Kolb’s experiential learning model, the study proposes a framework for individuals to critically engage with their urban surroundings. This interdisciplinary theoretical investigation synthesizes insights from urban sociology and the sociology of space to develop a comprehensive urban literacy model. The research anticipates that experiential learning will enhance individuals’ critical awareness of spatial and social inequalities, fostering inclusive, equitable, and participatory urban spaces while encouraging grassroots democratic discourse.
Ömer Temizkan
Burak Delican
Ömer Temizkan
Ömer Temizkan commenced his academic career as a research assistant at Cumhuriyet University in 2009 and is currently a doctoral faculty member at the same institution in the Department of Social Studies Education. He pursued his master's and doctoral studies in the field of sociology, completing his doctoral thesis, titled "The Effect of Social Memory in the Representation of Urban Spaces: The Case of Sivas," in which he examined the role of urban spaces in the formation of social memory and identity.
Temizkan's international experience includes a position as a visiting researcher at the Chair of Social Communication at the University of Tartu from 2011 to 2013. His academic specializations include experiential learning, sociology of education, urban sociology, social memory, and spatial studies.
Since 2006, Temizkan has worked as a trainer with numerous organizations in youth work, particularly the Turkish National Agency. He has been a part of this network as an Experiential Learning trainer since 2020.
In addition, he continues to work as a coordinator and trainer from the field of civil society in Erasmus+ projects and other international collaborations, both academically and practically.
Burak Delican
Burak Delican is a faculty member at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, specializing in early literacy education, literacy instruction, and Turkish language education. His research focuses on new literacy theories, phonological awareness, fluent reading, and reading comprehension.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Hacettepe University and earned his master’s (2013) and Ph.D. (2018) at Gazi University. His career began in 2010 as a teacher, followed by a research assistant position at Sivas Cumhuriyet University (2011–2020). Since 2020, he has been working as an Associate Professor at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, where he teaches early literacy and Turkish education.
Delican actively engages in international academic collaborations through Erasmus programs, delivering lectures at Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Vilnius University, Addis Ababa University, and Universidad de Antioquia. His research and publications contribute to literacy development and teacher education.
