Urban Policies and Urban Development in Türkiye

Understanding the local and historical characteristics of the urbanisation process in Türkiye is essential for comprehending urbanisation. Global population growth and migration have led to a rapid transformation of cities, particularly since the 1950s, with urbanisation policies playing a significant role in this process. Türkiye embarked on its urbanisation journey with a limited urban heritage from the Ottoman Empire, and Turkish cities developed based on the principles established by the Republic. Ankara was designated as the capital upon the establishment of the Republic. Istanbul, a prominent port city, has retained its economic and cultural significance and has experienced a rapid and predominantly uncontrolled urbanisation process, accompanied by intense population growth. In Türkiye, which previously featured a predominantly rural population and an agriculture-based economy, the urban population has dramatically increased over the past few years, leading to a rise in the manufacturing and service sectors. Urban development can be categorised into five distinct periods: Türkiye’s urbanisation experience commenced in the late Ottoman or pre-Republican era, with advancements in Istanbul. This was followed by the period between 1923 and 1950, during which rural development and the formation of Republican cities occurred. Subsequently, the period of uncontrolled migration and urban challenges followed between 1950 and 1980, succeeded by the globalisation period from 1980 to 2000, marked by a significant increase in the movement of capital and goods. Finally, the period from 2000 to the present can be described as a phase of moderate growth.