Ph.D. Dissertation
A Computer Assisted Universal Design (CAUD) Plug-in Tool for Architectural Design Process, September/2008, Prof. Dr. Halime Demirkan (Adviser), Bilkent University, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design.
Master Dissertation
Exploring the Potential of Mat-building for the Creation of Universally Designed Environments, June/2004, Doc. Dr. Emel Akozer (Adviser), Prof. Dr. Halime Demirkan (Co-adviser), Middle East Technical University, Department of Architecture.
Books
Y. Afacan, and J. A. Olsson (Eds.) CityLab: Nurturing knowledge and learning for urban-rural sustainability, xx. pp, Lund: Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC) of Lund Universitet Press, 2022; ISBN Digital : 978-91-987132-1-3; ISBN Printed: 978-91-987132-2-0.
Chapters in Books
I. Caglayan, Y. Afacan, G. Aydıngun, “Developing a Motivation-driven Framework to Understand Energy-related Occupant Behavior in Office Buildings”, Howlett, R.J., Jain, L. (Eds.), The Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, Singapore: Springer, 2023. In Press.
G. Aydıngun, Y. Afacan, I. Caglayan, “Identifying the Importance Level: Green Retfrofit Features in Existing University Science Laboratories”, Howlett, R.J., Jain, L. (Eds.), The Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, Singapore: Springer, 2023. In Press.
Y. Afacan, “Impact of Climate Zone and Orientation Angle on the Recurring Massing School Typologies in Turkey”, in Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, Howlett, R.J., Jain, L. (Eds.), Singapore: Springer, 2022. In Press, pp.11-27.
Y. Afacan, and A. Ranjbar, “Impact of Building Massing on Energy Efficient School Buildings” in Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, Kaparaju, P., Howlett, R.J., Littlewood, J., Ekanyake, C., Vlacic, L. (Eds.) vol. 163, Singapore: Springer, 2020.
Y. Afacan, “The Relationship Between Housing Accessibility and Healthy Aging: The Case of Turkish Elderly Women” in Transforming Our World Through Design, Diversity and Education, G. Craddock, C. Doran, L. McNutt and D. Rice (Eds.) pp.345-356, Amsterdam: IOS Press, 2018.
K. Hadjri, Y. Afacan and T. Gadakari, “Inclusive Design”, in ZEMCH: Toward the Delivery of Zero Energy Mass Custom Homes, Noguchi M. (Ed.), pp. 151-175, Switzerland: Springer, 2016.
Afacan, “Ageing Engagement: Improving the Elderly Experience in Kitchen” in Designing around People. (Edited by P. Langdon, P. J. Clarkson, P. Robinson, J. Lazar and A. Heylighen). London: Springer, 2016. In press.
Afacan, “Achieving Inclusion in Public Spaces: A Shopping Mall Case Study” in Designing Inclusive Systems. (Edited by P. Langdon, P. J. Clarkson, P. Robinson, J. Lazar and A. Heylighen). London: Springer, 2012. 241-252. A
Afacan, “Designing for an Aging Population: Residential Preferences of the Turkish Elderly to Age in Place” in Designing Inclusive Futures. (Edited by P. Langdon, P. J. Clarkson and P. Robinson). London: Springer, 2008. 241-252.
Articles in Refereed Journals Listed by ISI Citation Indices (SCI, SSCI, A&HCI)
D.S.O. Turan, Y. Afacan, E. Sürer, “Effects of biophilic design on sustainable behaviors: introducing the use of serious game as a measure of sustainable behavior”, Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, In Press, (A&HCI). https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-07-2024-0287
Y. Afacan, “Exploring The Facilitators of The Gerotranscendence Theory: Correlations among Sustainable Behaviors, Biophilic Design, and Nature Connectedness”, HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 2024, In Press. (SSCI) https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867241271433
Y. Afacan, B. Barshan, “Exploring the Importance and Performance Priorities of Older Adults With a User-Centred Approach to Create a Fall-Free Bathroom”, International Journal of older People Nursing, 2024, 19 (4). (SCIE) https://doi.org/10.1111/opn.12623
Y. Afacan, “Experimental Assessment of Impact of Different Ventilation Modes on Cognitive and Academic Performance: A Study Based on Classrooms in Türkiye”. Journal of Building Engineering, 2024, 86, 108849. (SCI). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108849
B. Gündoğdu, A.S. Nouri, Y. Afacan, A. Matzarakis, “Investigating the impacts of shaded outdoor spaces on thermal adaptation and cognitive performance of university students in classroom environments”. International Journal of Biometeorology, 2023 Sep 15. https://doi:10.1007/s00484-023-02552-x. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37710026.
A. Santos Nouri1, I. Charalampopoulos, Y. Afacan, A. Matzarakis, “Detection and quantification of seasonal human heat and cold stress frequencies in representative existing and future urban canyons: The case of Ankara” Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 2023. (SCI). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-023-04482-5
Y. Afacan, “Impacts of Urban Living Lab (ULL) on Learning to Design Inclusive, Sustainable, and Climate-resilient Urban Environments” Land Use Policy, 2023, Volume 124, 106443. (SSCI). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2022.106443
Y. Afacan, “Impacts of Biophilic Design on the Development of Gerotranscendence and the Profile of Mood States during the COVID-19 Pandemic” Ageing and Society, 2022, (SSCI). DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X21001860
İ. Caglayan, Y. Afacan, “Simulation-based Service Walkthrough (SBSW) to Assess Airport Environment Performance” Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 15 (3), 2021, 905-924 (A&HCI). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-12-2020-0300
P. Mahmoudzadeh, Y. Afacan, M.N.Adi, “Analyzing Occupants’ Control over Lighting Systems in Office Settings Using Immersive Virtual Environments”, Building and Environment, 196, June 2021, 107823. (SCI). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107823
S.M.Taşoz, Y. Afacan, “Simulated Physical Ageing: A Prioritized Persona-Based Model for Accessible Interiors In Senior Housing Environments”, Indoor and Built Environment, 2020, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X20952817 (SCIE)
A. Santos Nouri, Y. Afacan, O. Çalışkan, Tzu-Ping Lin, A. Matzarakis, “Approaching Environmental Human Thermophysiological Thresholds for The Case of Ankara, Turkey”, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 143, 533–555, 2021. (SCI). DOI: 10.1007/s00704-020-03436-5
D.S. Özgen, Y. Afacan, E. Sürer, “Usability of Virtual Reality for Basic Design Education: A Comparative Study with Paper-Based Design”, International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 31(2), 357-377, 2021. (SSCI). DOI: 10.1007/s10798-019-09554-0
Y. Afacan, “Extending Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) Approach to Turkish Older People’s Self-Rated Home Accessibility”, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 2019, 34, 619-642 (SSCI). DOI: 10.1007/s10901-019-09645-3
E. Seles and Y. Afacan, “Exploring Relationship between Health and Walkability”, Open House International, 2019, 44, 1, 44-53 (A&HCI). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-01-2019-B0006
H. Demirkan, Y. Afacan, “Setting The Key Issues and A Prioritization Strategy For Designing Sustainable Interior Environments,” METU Journal Faculty of Architecture, 2018, 35, 1, 201-219. (A&HCI). DOI: 10.4305/METU.JFA.2018.1.11
Y. Afacan, “Student Experiences of Blended Learning in Interior Architecture”, Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 2018, 17, 399-422. (ESCI). DOI: 10.28945/4122
C.G.G. Gunday, Y. Afacan, “Analyzing the Effects of Critique Techniques on the Success of Interior Architecture Students”, International Journal of Art and Design Education, 2018, 37, 469-479 (SSCI), (A&HCI). DOI: 10.1111/jade.12145
S.M. Kaya, Y. Afacan, “Effects of Daylight Design Features on Visitors’ Satisfaction of Museums”, Indoor and Built Environment, 2018, 27, 1341-1356. DOI: 10.1177/1420326X17704028
Y. Afacan. “Sustainable Library Buildings: Green Design Needs and Interior Architecture Students’ Ideas for Special Collection Rooms”, Journal of Academic Librarianship, 2017,43, 375-383. DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2017.07.002
Y. Afacan and H. Demirkan, “The Influence of Sustainable Design Features on Indoor Environmental Quality Satisfaction in Turkish Dwellings”, Architectural Science Review, 2016, 59 (3), 229-238. (A&HCI). DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2015.1056768
Y. Afacan, “Exploring Effectiveness of Blended Learning in Interior Design Education”, Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 2016, 53 (5), 508-518. (SSCI). DOI: 10.1080/14703297.2015.1015595
Y. Afacan, “Resident Satisfaction for Sustainable Urban Regeneration”, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Municipal Engineer, 2015, 168 (4). 220-234. (SCI). DOI: 10.1680/muen.14.00046
Y. Afacan, “Older Workers and a Sustainable Office Environment”, The Design Journal, March 2015, 18 (1), 57-82. (A&HCI). DOI: 10.2752/175630615X14135446523260
Y. Afacan, and M.O. Gurel, “Public Toilets: An Exploratory Study on the Demands, Needs and Expectations in Turkey”, Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, April 2015, 42 (2), 242-262. (SSCI). DOI: 10.1068/b130020p
Y. Afacan “Introducing Sustainability to Interior Design Students Through Industry Collaboration”, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 2014, 15(1), 84-97. (SSCI). DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-01-2013-0002
Y. Afacan “Elderly-friendly Inclusive Urban Environments: Learning from Ankara”, Open House International, 2013, 38(1), 52-62. (A&HCI). https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-01-2013-B0006
H. Demirkan, Y. Afacan “Assessing Creativity in Design Education: Analysis of Creativity Factors in The First-Year Design Studio”, Design Studies, 2012, 33(3), 262-278. (SCI-Expanded). DOI: 10.1016/j.destud.2011.11.005
Y. Afacan and H. Demirkan “An Ontology-based Universal Design Knowledge Support System”. Knowledge-Based Systems, 2011, 24 (4), 530-541. (SCI). DOI: 10.1016/j.knosys.2011.01.002
Y. Afacan and H. Demirkan, “A Priority-Based Approach for Satisfying The Diverse Users’ Needs, Capabilities and Expectations: A Universal Kitchen Design Case”. Journal of Engineering Design, 2010, 21 (2–3), pp. 315-343. (SCI-Expanded). DOI: 10.1080/09544820903303423
Y. Afacan and C. Erbug, “An Interdiciplinary Heuristic Evaluation Method for Universal Building Design”. Applied Ergonomics, 2009, 40 (4), pp. 731-744. (SCI,SCI-Expanded, SSCI). DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2008.07.002
Refereed Conference Proceedings
B. Çonka, A.B. Ürgen and Y. Afacan. “Multifaceted Analysis of Older Adults’ and Caretakers’ Attitudes Toward Social Robots.” 5th IFAC Workshop on Cyber-Physical Human Systems, 12-13 December 2024, Antalya, Türkiye.
Y. Afacan. and B. Barshan “Attitudes of Older Turkish Adults toward Incorporating Radar Technologies into Geriatric Bathroom Design”. 14th World Conference of Gerontechnology: Sustainability and Crises – Challenges and Innovation for Gerontechnology, 2-4 September, 2024, Frankfurt, Germany. Gerontechnology, 23 (2), 1-1 https://doi.org/10/4017/gt.2024.23.s.855.opp
B. Çonka, A.B. Ürgen and Y. Afacan. “Multifaceted Analysis of Older Adults’ and Caretakers’ Attitudes Toward Social Robots.” 10th International Symposium on Brain and Cognitive Science – ISBCS 2024, 1 June 2024, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Türkiye.
Durmaz, V., Özkul, P., and Y. Afacan, “Mobile Service Robots for Older Adults’ Mobility: Investigation of Their Attitude for Daily Assistance in Residential Environments”, Senex VI. Congress of Aging Studies for Graduate Students. 3-4th November, 2023, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
B. Conka, A.B.Ürgen and Y. Afacan. “Preliminary study on older adults’ and caretakers’ perception of and response to social robots”. 9th International Symposium on Brain and Cognitive Science – ISBC 2023, 7 May 2023, Özyeğin University, İstanbul, Türkiye.
R. Balcı, Y. Afacan and A.B.Ürgen. “The Effect of Correlated Color Temperatures of Lighting in Coffee Shops on Attention Load”. 9th International Symposium on Brain and Cognitive Science – ISBC 2023, 7 May 2023, Özyeğin University, İstanbul, Türkiye.
A.N. Koç, A.B. Ürgen, and Y. Afacan. “Perception of Built Environments and its Neural Modulation by the Behavioral Goals of the Perceiver”. 9th International Symposium on Brain and Cognitive Science – ISBC 2023, 7 May 2023, Özyeğin University, İstanbul, Türkiye.
Fotovvat, H., Y. Afacan, “Walking in the neighborhood: Walking preference and motivation of older adults”, Senex VI. Congress of Aging Studies for Graduate Students. 4-5th November, 2022, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
A. Santos Nouri, Y. Afacan, A. Matzarakis. “Addressing augmenting human biometeorological risk factors associated to thermal comfort thresholds in Ankara, Turkey”. Proceedings in 14th Ecocity World Summit 2021 (Ecocity 2021 Online), 29th – 30th September 2021, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
B. Gundogdu, A. Santos Nouri, Y. Afacan. “Investigating the impacts of shaded outdoor spaces on thermal adaptation and cognitive performance of children in classroom”, Proceedings in the 2021 Annual Meeting of the European Meteorological Society – European Conference for Applied Meteorology and Climatology (EMS 2021 Online) 3rd – 10th September.
Y. Afacan. “Analyzing the barriers of technology acceptance model of older adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. 12th World Conference of Gerontechnology, 6-9 November, 2020, Trondheim Norway. Gerontechnology, 19(0), 1-1, https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2020.19.s.70128
D. S. Özgen, Y. Afacan, and E. Surer. “Save the Planets: A Multipurpose Serious Game to Raise Environmental Awareness and to Initiate Change”. In Proceedings of the 6th EAI International Conference on Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good (GoodTechs ’20). Antwerp Belgium, 2020, 14-16 September, Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 132–137. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1145/3411170.3411253.
Y. Afacan, and E. Surer. “Modeling a User-Oriented Ontology on Accessible Homes for Supporting Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in Healthy Aging”. In Proceedings of the 5th EAI International Conference on Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good (GoodTechs ’19). 23th-25th September 2019, Politecnia de Universitat Valencia, Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 67–71. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1145/3342428.3342662
I. Yumusak, Y. Afacan, “Age Effect on Spatial Orientation”, Senex II. Congress of Aging Studies for Graduate Students. 1st -2nd November, 2018, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Y. Afacan, J. Onyango, “Video Games and Virtual Reality: Using Virtual Reality to Promote Positive Feelings of Elderly”, 7-11 May 2018, 11th World Conference of International Society of Gerontechnology (ISG), St. Petersburg, USA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2018.17.s.142.00
Y. Afacan, “Elderly Housing Needs in Different Housing Typologies” , 3. National Construction Congress: Design, Safety, Accessibility, Ankara, Turkey, 25-26 November 2016.
Y. Afacan, “Blended learning for non-studio courses: Interior architecture student experiences”. 5th World Conference on Educational Sciences, Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2014, 116, 1599-1603.
Y. Afacan, “Investigating Green Office Design Parameters from the Human Factors Perspective”. Proceedings of Smart and Green Building Conference, 2013, pp. 14-18. Gazi University Press, Ankara., Turkey
Y. Afacan, “Teaching Universal Design: An Empirical Research in Interior Architecture”. 3rd World Conference on Educational Sciences, Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2011, 15, 3185-3192.
Y. Afacan, “Investigating the Effects of Group Working in Studying Interior Architecture”. The World Conference on Design, Arts and Education (DAE-2012), Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012, 51, 506-511.
Y. Afacan, “Design Factors for Universally Designed Bathrooms”. Proceedings of 17. National Ergonomics Conference, 2011, pp. 549-558. Osman Gazi University Press, Eskisehir, Turkey.
Y. Afacan, “Residential Revitalisation through the Universal Heuristic Evaluation Model (UHEM)”. Proceedings of the International Symposium on ‘Revitalising Built Environments: Requalifying Old Places for New Uses‘. 12-16 October 2009, Istanbul, Turkey. pp 46-47.
Y. Afacan, “Universal Design as an Integral Part of Design Curriculum: A Case Study in Bilkent University”. Include 2009 Proceedings, 5-8 April 2009, London, UK.
Y. Afacan, “Integrating Universal Design into the Main Stream of Architectural Design Education”. Proceedings of Built Environment and Information Technologies. (Edited by S. Andolsun, A. Temizsoy and M. Ucar). Ankara: Metu Press. 17- 18 March 2006, Ankara, Turkey. pp. 99-113.
Y. Afacan, “Developing Design Strategies for Universally Designed Built Environments in the 21st Century”. Proceedings of Built Environment and Information Technologies. (Edited by S. Andolsun, A. Temizsoy and M. Ucar). Ankara: Metu Press. 17-18 March 2006, Ankara, Turkey. pp. 219-231.
Y. Afacan, “The Spatial Transmutations of Cities within the Domains of the Global Phenomenon”. Proceedings UIA 2005- XXII World Architecture Congress, Cities of Grand Bazaar of Architecture. Istanbul: Chamber of Architects Press. 3-7 July, Istanbul Turkey. p. 423.
Y. Afacan, “A New Kind of Urbanism for All”. Open Space: People Space Conference: Abstracts. (Edited by P. Aspinall, S. Bell, W.C. Thompson and P. Travlou). Edinburgh: OPENspace Research Centre. 27-29 October, Edinburgh, UK. p. 17.
Articles in Refereed Journals NOT Listed by ISI Citation Indices (that is, not listed by SCI, SSCI or A&HCI)
V. Durmaz, P. Özkul, Y. Afacan, “Mobile Service Robots for Older Adults’ Mobility: Investigation of Their Attitude for Daily Assistance in Residential Environments”. Senex: Yaşlılık Çalışmaları Dergisi-Journal of Aging Studies, 8 (1), 1–18.
Y. Afacan, “Rethinking Cities to Achieve Sustainability for all”. Seventh Edition of Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization (CSU) News, March 2022.
Y. Afacan “Ergonomic Wet Spaces: Design Factors in Bathrooms Designed for All”. Design for All, 2012, 7, 24-41.
Y. Afacan, S.O. Afacan, “Rethinking Social Inclusivity: Design Strategies for Universally Designed Sustainable Cities”. P I Civil Eng – Urban Design and Planning, 2011.
Y. Afacan, “Residential Revitalization through the Universal Heuristic Evaluation Model (UHEM)”. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2010, Vol. 4 no.6, pp. 1–10.
Articles in Nonrefereed Journals NOT Listed by ISI Citation Indices
Y. Afacan, “The Importance of Accessiblity in Urban Space: Cukurambar Neighborhood Case Study”, Special Issue on Accessibility, Usability, Liveability, TMMOB Chamber of Architects Journal Dosya 37, 2015 December.
Y. Afacan, “The Significance of Universal Design in Housing: Active Involvement of Elderly”. YAPI, 2011, 357, 96-99.
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITATIONS (LISTED IN Google Scholar) TO PUBLICATIONS
Scopus (Accessed on 17th November 2023):
Number of citations from Scopus <2019-2023: 333
Number of self-citations: 3
h-index: 11
Google Scholar (Accessed on Accessed on 17th November 2023):
Citations by others: 1091
h-index: 27