A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study

Gözde Çakır Kıasıf

doi:10.31127/tuje.1967904

A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study

Abstract

The LEED certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and globally recognized, is based on a sustainable approach to buildings. In this study, a multi-scale model was created to first quantitatively analyze—using descriptive statistics—the spatial distribution of LEED-certified projects in Türkiye across its seven geographical regions and 81 provinces. Subsequently, the relationship between the provincial spatial distribution of these projects and factors such as population and the level of socio-economic development was tested using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Finally, Istanbul—the city with the highest concentration of LEED certifications—was selected for a detailed examination of LEED v4.1 projects. The study aims to reveal the spatial distribution of LEED-certified projects in Türkiye, determine the relationship of this distribution with population and socio-economic development levels, and assess the current status of LEED v4.1 projects in Istanbul. Methodologically, descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed quantitatively using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 24 software. The findings indicate a total of 723 LEED-certified projects in Türkiye. It was observed that the distribution of LEED-certified projects lacks balance across regions and provinces; Istanbul leads by a wide margin, accounting for 63.35% of the total with 458 projects. A positive, strong, and statistically significant relationship was identified between the number of LEED-certified projects per province and both population size and the level of socio-economic development. Finally, an examination of 41 LEED v4.1 projects in Istanbul revealed that 29 fell under the "Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings" (O+M:EB) protocol, while the remaining 12 fell under the "Operations and Maintenance: Interiors" (O+M:Interiors) protocol. Regarding sustainability performance, it was found that 2 projects held Silver certification, 32 held Gold, and 7 held Platinum. It was also determined that the certification processes took approximately 356.54 days

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Environmentally Sustainable Engineering, Architectural Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gözde Çakır Kıasıf ^*
0000-0002-7734-4990
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 16, 2026

Submission Date

June 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1967904

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA35XK43DF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çakır Kıasıf, G. (2026). A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(4), 1374-1387. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1967904

AMA

1.Çakır Kıasıf G. A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study. TUJE. 2026;10(4):1374-1387. doi:10.31127/tuje.1967904

Chicago

Çakır Kıasıf, Gözde. 2026. “A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (4): 1374-87. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1967904.

EndNote

Çakır Kıasıf G (October 1, 2026) A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 4 1374–1387.

IEEE

[1]G. Çakır Kıasıf, “A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1374–1387, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1967904.

ISNAD

Çakır Kıasıf, Gözde. “A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/4 (October 1, 2026): 1374-1387. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1967904.

JAMA

1.Çakır Kıasıf G. A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study. TUJE. 2026;10:1374–1387.

MLA

Çakır Kıasıf, Gözde. “A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 1374-87, doi:10.31127/tuje.1967904.

Vancouver

1.Gözde Çakır Kıasıf. A Multiscale Analysis of LEED-Certified Projects in Türkiye: Spatial Distribution and Istanbul Case Study. TUJE. 2026 Oct. 1;10(4):1374-87. doi:10.31127/tuje.1967904