M. M. Ashaduzzaman Nour :
The origins of local government in Turkey trace back to the Ottoman Empire, particularly during the Tanzimat era (1839-1876), when administrative reforms aimed to modernize governance and enhance state control. The Vilayet Law of 1864 established provincial councils, marking the formal beginning of local administration in the Ottoman context. Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, the system was restructured to align with the principles of centralization and secularism, while retaining elements of the Ottoman administrative framework. Local government in Turkey operates under a hierarchical system, governed by the principles outlined in the 1982 Constitution and relevant laws, such as the Municipal Law (No. 5393) and the Metropolitan Municipality Law (No. 5216).
Provinces (Iller): Turkey is divided into 81 provinces, each headed by a governor (vali) appointed by the central government. While governors represent the central authority, provincial councils (il genel meclisi) are elected bodies tasked with addressing local issues.
Municipalities (Belediyeler):
· Metropolitan Municipalities (Büyüksehir Belediyeleri): Operate in large cities and have jurisdiction over multiple districts within the city. Examples include Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Governed by an elected Mayor (Büyüksehir Belediye Baskani).
· District Municipalities (Ilçe Belediyeleri): Function within districts and are subordinate to metropolitan municipalities in large cities. Governed by an elected Mayor (Belediye Baskani).
· Town Municipalities (Belde Belediyeleri): Serve smaller settlements and towns.
Special Provincial Administrations (Il Özel Idareleri): Operate in rural areas and smaller provinces, focusing on services like rural road maintenance, water supply, and healthcare. Governed by a Provincial General Assembly.
Villages (Köyler): Provide basic services to rural communities. Villages are governed by a council and a headman (Muhtar) elected by residents.
Lesson#1: Decentralization in Turkish Local Government
Decentralization is a cornerstone of Turkish local governance. Turkish municipalities enjoy significant administrative and fiscal authority, enabling them to address local needs effectively. The Turkish Constitution and the Municipality Law of 2005 provide a clear legal framework for the autonomy of local governments, delineating responsibilities between central and local authorities. In contrast, Bangladesh’s local government system is often criticized for its heavy reliance on central government oversight. Local bodies in Bangladesh lack adequate authority to make independent decisions, which hampers their ability to respond to local challenges effectively. Adopting a more decentralized approach, as seen in Turkey, could empower Bangladeshi local governments to tailor solutions to their unique contexts.
Lesson#2: Citizen Participation and Accountability
Turkey has successfully integrated mechanisms for citizen participation into its local governance framework. Municipal councils in Turkey regularly engage with citizens through public consultations, participatory budgeting, and community-driven projects. This fosters transparency, ensures that public services align with community needs, and enhances accountability. Bangladesh, despite having provisions for citizen engagement in its local governance laws, struggles with effective implementation. Many local bodies operate without sufficient citizen input, leading to inefficiencies and public dissatisfaction. Learning from Turkish participatory practices, Bangladesh could strengthen mechanisms for community involvement, such as town hall meetings and online platforms for public feedback, to bridge the gap between citizens and local authorities.
Lesson#3: Financial Autonomy and Resource Management
A significant strength of Turkish local governments is their financial autonomy. Municipalities in Turkey have the authority to generate revenue through local taxes, fees, and municipal bonds. Additionally, they receive a substantial share of national revenues through a transparent and predictable fiscal transfer system. This financial independence allows Turkish municipalities to plan and execute development projects without undue delays. In Bangladesh, local governments face severe financial constraints due to limited revenue-generation capacity and irregular fund transfers from the central government. This dependency undermines their ability to deliver services effectively. By adopting Turkish model of financial autonomy, Bangladesh could enhance the fiscal capacity of its local bodies, ensuring sustainable and efficient service delivery.
Lesson#4: Capacity Building and Training
Turkey places significant emphasis on capacity building for local government officials. Training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives are regularly organized to enhance the skills and competencies of municipal staff. This investment in human capital ensures effective governance and the successful implementation of local development projects. Bangladesh could benefit from establishing a structured training program for local government officials, focusing on areas such as financial management, urban planning, and citizen engagement. Collaboration with international organizations and learning from Turkish capacity-building initiatives could significantly improve governance outcomes in Bangladesh.
Lesson#5: Urbanization and Sustainable Development
Turkish municipalities have demonstrated commendable success in managing urbanization and promoting sustainable development. Initiatives such as integrated urban planning, waste management systems, and renewable energy projects showcase Turkish commitment to creating livable cities. Bangladesh, facing rapid urbanization, struggles with challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. Adopting Turkish practices in urban planning and sustainability could help Bangladeshi cities address these challenges effectively. For instance, creating metropolitan municipalities similar to those in Turkey could streamline urban governance in Dhaka and other major cities.
In conclusion, local government systems play a crucial role in fostering sustainable development and delivering essential public services. Turkey, with its robust and decentralized local governance framework, offers valuable lessons for Bangladesh, a country striving to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its local governments. Turkish local government system provides a valuable blueprint for enhancing local governance in Bangladesh. By embracing decentralization, fostering citizen participation, ensuring financial autonomy, investing in capacity building, and addressing urban challenges, Bangladesh can strengthen its local government framework and improve service delivery. However, successful implementation will require political commitment, institutional reforms, and a context-sensitive approach to adopting Turkish practices. Through these efforts, Bangladesh can build a more responsive and effective local government system, contributing to the country’s overall development goals.
(The writer is a PhD researcher, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Istanbul Medeniyet Üniversitesi, Istanbul, Türkiye & Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Bangladesh University of Professionals).
