Türk Yerel Yönetim Yapısında Kırsal Mahallelerin Sorunları.

Since the 1970s, the issue of decentralization in urbanization has been a subject of debate, particularly in the context of local governance structures within metropolitan areas. Initially, there was a preference for a decentralized multi-actor approach. However, this evolved towards the consolidation and integration of local governments, aiming for larger-scale, single or two-tiered governance structures. Turkey followed this path, starting with its first metropolitan municipality law in the early 1980s. Law No. 6360 in December 2012 further implemented consolidation in Turkish metropolitan areas, transforming rural settlements into urban neighborhoods under the jurisdiction of metropolitan municipalities. This article delves into the merger of rural settlements with urban areas in Turkish metropolitan municipalities and the resulting challenges. It highlights issues such as the loss of legal identity for rural neighborhoods, shifts in economic strategies, and difficulties accessing public services. The article stresses the importance of accurately identifying rural areas and the need for a sound process in doing so. While recognizing the significance of the Spatial Address Registration System used during this transformation, it suggests that a one-size-fits-all international comparison model may be insufficient for domestic policy-making. Thus, it advocates for each country to establish tailored criteria based on its unique circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]