Belediyeler

Belediyeler are local government units in Turkey responsible for administering cities and towns. They operate within a framework of national laws, primarily the Municipal Law No. 5393 and, for metropolitan areas, the Law No. 6360, with later amendments shaping their duties and structure. In provinces designated as metropolitan municipalities, a Büyükşehir Belediyesi (metropolitan municipality) governs the provincial capital and surrounding districts; district municipalities operate within the metropolitan framework. In provinces not designated as metropolitan, a single municipality covers its town or city and nearby rural areas.

Governance: Each belediye is led by a belediye başkanı (mayor) elected for a five-year term, and by a belediye meclisi (municipal council) elected alongside the mayor. The executive arm includes the encümen or an equivalent cabinet in larger municipalities. Metropolitan municipalities have a separate metropolitan council and cross-district departments to coordinate planning and services.

Functions: Municipal responsibilities span urban planning and zoning, building permits, housing and urban renewal, transportation and traffic management, water supply and wastewater, solid waste management, environmental protection, street lighting and maintenance, parks and recreation, cultural services, libraries, and local economic development. They may also operate social services, local markets, and support for local non-governmental organizations, always within the scope defined by national law and provincial oversight.

Financing: Municipal budgets are funded through a mix of local taxes (such as property tax), service charges and fees, central government grants, and borrowing within legal limits. Revenue management and auditing are subject to supervision by central authorities and independent audit bodies.

Significance: Belediyeler play a central role in delivering local services, shaping urban development, and enabling citizen participation, functioning as the primary interface between residents and government at the local level.