Civil Engineering in Future

As civilization advances, science progresses, populations grow, and human needs become more diverse and complex; as economic and environmental concerns make the methods and systems of meeting these needs increasingly challenging; as natural disasters and climatic changes penalize every mistake; as usable natural spaces expand from land to sea and from the easily accessible to the more demanding; as energy production and conservation become among the most critical global concerns; and as natural resources grow scarcer, the scope of practice, modes of operation, and interdisciplinary connections of Civil Engineering expand at an extraordinary pace. For precisely these reasons, Civil Engineering, in all its dimensions and possibilities, is truly a form of Engineering of Civilization. Unfortunately, its Turkish equivalent does not fully convey the magnitude and immense potential of the profession. The English term Civil Engineering expresses its true scope as the engineering discipline of civilization itself.

Civil Engineering is the field of engineering that creates, shapes, and improves the environments reflecting the development of civilization. It is the discipline that confronts and mitigates all types of natural disasters. In parallel with societal development, Civil Engineering provides comprehensive infrastructure and living-environment solutions for communities whose expectations and demands continue to grow. It finds ways to produce under constraints, expands its scope by leveraging technological advancements, and encompasses a vast and powerful industry. With this understanding, equipping students with knowledge that remains valid across eras, while simultaneously instilling the ability to continuously develop themselves in line with the requirements of modern civilization, constitutes one of the core educational principles of the Özyeğin University Department of Civil Engineering.

The construction sector is among the industries that drive and shape national economies worldwide, and this role is of primary importance for Türkiye. Located in an earthquake-prone region and exposed to various natural hazards such as floods and landslides, Türkiye has not yet completed its urbanization process and has not reached saturation in its infrastructure needs. Moreover, with its rapidly growing young population, it remains a dynamic country. Consequently, there will always be a demand for civil engineers who can follow and apply the latest developments in the field. In today’s world, sustainability must be placed at the very center of all civil engineering applications, a requirement that introduces new dimensions and methodologies to the profession.

Turkish contracting companies, which hold a significant position globally in terms of project volume, undertake projects across diverse geographies or operate within international construction firms. Accordingly, there is—and will continue to be—a constant demand for civil engineers who can effectively communicate in at least one foreign language, are proficient in contemporary technologies, and possess the ability to work collaboratively within diverse cultural environments.