Planning the urban(s)

Turkey is a rapidly urbanising country. Subsequently urban transformation is a main challenge for municipalism in Turkey today. Municipalities hold a central position in urban growth as they influence the value of property. Although the mayor, city council and executive committee have traditionally been the main actors in urban development, in recent years national institutions have taken many competences and a trend towards recentralisation can also be observed with regard to urban planning. An important national institution regulating and influencing local municipal planning is the Council of Ministers. For municipalities across the political spectrum zoning changes and urban transformation are priority tasks. Parties aim to redefine the urban as it is an important element in the constitution of the &s;self&s;, affecting social practices. In Turkey, municipalities do not only pursue building projects in cooperation with TOKI, but also with external investors or on their own.