Erdoğan had signaled it... Major change in local government: Metropolitan status coming for 51 provinces

The first concrete step has been taken regarding the municipal reform that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signaled during his group meeting on May 14. The 35-article legislative proposal submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey by the AKP aims to fundamentally transform the structure of local governments.

51 PROVINCES BECOMING METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITIES

The most striking article of the reform concerns the provinces that will be included in the metropolitan scope. According to information provided by Millet News Agency Editor-in-Chief Sinan Burhan, all 51 provinces that are not currently metropolitan municipalities will attain this status with the new regulation. Thus, all provinces in Turkey will have transitioned to the same management model.

ZONING POWERS BEING RESTRICTED

According to the proposal, some zoning powers belonging to municipalities will also be restricted. The new system aims to prevent illegal construction and unplanned urbanization. A strengthening of the central oversight mechanism in zoning plans is expected.

TAX REVENUES TO BE REDISTRIBUTED

With the reform, changes will also be made to the distribution of tax revenues transferred to municipalities. This change aims for a more egalitarian model in income distribution. It is envisioned that resources will be allocated not only based on population but also according to service needs and regional development levels.

According to the insider information obtained by Sinan Burhan, the articles of the Municipal Reform are as follows:

a) All 51 provinces that are not metropolitan municipalities will be transitioned to 'metropolitan' status

b) Instead of the previously proposed 'whole city' term, the term 'metropolitan' will be used

c) In order to ensure zoning integrity, town and district municipalities will not be able to create their own zoning plans

d) Zoning regulations will be carried out within the integrity of the province and in a controlled manner. In this way, haphazard construction will be prevented

e) Tax revenues should be distributed equally among metropolitan municipalities

f) Instead of the high shares received by metropolitan cities like Istanbul and Ankara, it is aimed for all cities to receive income at equal rates"

The scope of the municipal reform is broad and its effects will be long-term. If the new system is enacted, the understanding of local government in Turkey will undergo a radical change. Parliamentary deliberations will begin in the coming weeks.