Born in Istanbul, Dr Ekim Tan graduated as an architect from the Middle East Technical University in 1999, winning the Archiprix Award. She received her second degree in urbanism from the Technical University Delft in 2005. Ekim has long been fascinated by both Istanbul and the Netherlands, watching as the political and spatial landscape in both areas change dramatically, in unexpected ways. In 2010, Ekim founded Play the City, an Amsterdam and Istanbul-based city design and research network. A collaboration between urban professionals and activists forming teams for ongoing projects.  Play the City integrates city gaming, digital public polls, interactive learning, co-design and social networks with traditional architecture and urbanism, in a bid to create more open, dynamic city spaces.