Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten is an academic and author with expertise in architecture, urban planning, and the history of civilization. Known for his work on architecture and urban aesthetics, Ökten has also made academic contributions in the field of the history and philosophy of science.

Sadettin Ökten was born in Istanbul on 1 September 1942. His father, Mahmut Celâlettin Ökten, was one of the founders of imam hatip schools in Türkiye. Ökten completed his secondary education in 1959 at Vefa High School and graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) in 1964. In the same year, he began his academic career as an assistant at the Reinforced Concrete Chair of the Faculty of Architecture at İTÜ.

Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten pursued doctoral studies as a visiting scholar in the United States between 1971 and 1973 and earned the title of doctor in 1977. He conducted scientific research in Belgium during the 1979–1980 academic year, was promoted to associate professor in 1982 and to full professor in 1989.

In 1985, Ökten joined Architect Sinan Beautiful University of Arts, from which he retired voluntarily in 2004. Throughout his academic career, he taught and conducted research in the fields of urban planning, urban aesthetics, history and philosophy of science like. He continues to teach courses on city and civilization at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. Additionally, the lecture hall at Karabük University’s Safranbolu Fethi Toker Faculty of Fine Arts and Design has been named the “Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten Lecture Hall”.

In addition to his academic work in architecture and urban planning, Sadettin Ökten has made significant contributions to the history of science and the philosophy of civilization. He has authored numerous academic publications and books on Islamic civilization, aesthetic traditions and traditional architecture. In his courses, he examined urban structure from a historical and cultural perspective, aiming to instill in his students a consciousness of civilization.

Sadettin Ökten has produced a variety of works in both academic and popular thought fields. Some of his notable books include:

• From the Decaying Ottoman Empire to the Hope of Civilization (2013)
• I Have Cola in My Cup! (2014)
• There Is a Mall Inside Me (2015)
• Istanbul from Yahya Kemal to Today (2015)
• Tradition, Art and Civilization (2016)
• Portraits from My Life (2016)
• There Is Indeed an Art – On Art, the Individual and Society (2018)
• I Came Into the World to Leave – Echoes from Gönül Sadası (2019–2020, with Kemal Sayar)
• Watching Love and Memories – Echoes from Gönül Sadası-2 (2020, with Kemal Sayar)
• We Came to Lament for the World’s Sake – Echoes from Gönül Sadası-3 (2021, with Kemal Sayar)
• This Is It, This Is the Hour – Echoes from Gönül Sadası-4 (2023, with Kemal Sayar)
• The Throne of Gönül Çalab – Echoes from Gönül Sadası-5 (2023, with Kemal Sayar)
• Lamp Hanging from the Mihrab (2023)
• Last Night in the Yar House – Echoes from Gönül Sadası-6 (2024, with Kemal Sayar)
• Thoughts and Feelings with the Wind of Yahya Kemal (2024)
• Portraits from My Family (2025)

In addition to his academic contributions in architecture and urban planning, Sadettin Ökten has developed distinctive perspectives on civic consciousness and urban aesthetics. His analyses of the social and cultural dynamics of cities through a historical lens have contributed to shaping urban awareness among younger generations in both academic and public spheres.

In 2020, he was honored by Republic of Türkiye Presidency with the “Culture and Art Grand Award” in recognition of his contributions in this field.

In addition to his academic activities, Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten remains active in cultural and artistic endeavors. He married Meriç Hanım in 1969 and had four child. His wife, Meriç Hanım, passed away on 7 January 2025.