Sprawling Urbanization in Türkiye

Sprawling urbanization is an unplanned and unregulated growth phenomenon resulting from the impact of globalization processes, which have transformed cities into economic, political, and cultural centers of attraction, without adequate coordination between infrastructure and superstructure. This phenomenon, combined with intense migration waves from rural areas to cities and changing labor market demands, leads to the deterioration of the social fabric in urban areas, threatens environmental sustainability, and reduces spatial quality.

Global Urbanization and Sociological Transformations

The process of globalization plays a decisive role in the restructuring of cities worldwide. Cities have ceased to be merely spaces that meet local housing needs and have become nodal points for global capital flows and technological advancements. This transformation, while enhancing economic vitality, has deepened the reality of sprawling urbanization in cities unprepared for such rapid change.

Economic and Cultural Impacts

The concentration of economic opportunities in large cities drives populations fleeing rural poverty and unemployment to settle on urban peripheries. However, this rapid population growth triggers the formation of settlements lacking basic infrastructure due to insufficient housing supply and the inability of urban planning to keep pace. From a sociological perspective, this situation exerts pressure on local cultures and leads to the hybridization or erosion of urban identity. In developing countries and in Türkiye, this process creates a tension between cities’ efforts to adapt to global competition and the housing needs of local populations.

Ecological Consequences of Sprawling Urbanization

Unplanned expansion and concrete development directly threaten urban ecosystems and biological diversity. Scientific studies focusing on the impact of sprawling urbanization on wildlife demonstrate that its effects extend beyond habitat loss to include negative influences on animal behavioral adaptations.

Effects on Bird Populations

Research conducted by scientists from East Anglia University in the United Kingdom has revealed critical impacts of sprawling urbanization on the breeding cycles of bird species. According to studies led by Dr. Iain Barr, the new and complex living environments created by unplanned urbanization disrupt birds’ mate-finding mechanisms. Key findings include:

Mate-Finding Difficulties: In new urban areas, birds struggle to locate potential mates or transmit their calls, leading to a loss of mate-finding ability.

Reproductive Success: Research shows that birds able to find mates face no significant difficulties in nest-building or feeding their young; however, the primary obstacle to population sustainability lies in the mating stage. While songbird breeding processes are less affected by urbanization, population continuity is at risk due to declining mating rates.

Administrative Regulations and Solutions in Türkiye: The Case of İzmir

In Türkiye, government policies are being developed to address property and infrastructure problems caused by sprawling urbanization. Within this framework, a regulation implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, known in public discourse as the “Building Peace” initiative, offers a significant case study.

Building Registration Certificate and Urban Transformation Financing

The Building Peace regulation aims to register structures built in violation of zoning laws or building permits by issuing a “Building Registration Certificate,” thereby granting them legal access to essential infrastructure services such as electricity, water, and natural gas. Authorities define this process not as an “amnesty” but as a “peace” initiative between the state and citizens. The revenues generated are allocated to the state budget with the aim of funding critical “urban transformation” projects, particularly important in Türkiye due to its location within an earthquake-prone zone.

Application Volume and Objectives in İzmir

İzmir, where rates of sprawling urbanization and informal settlements are high, is among the provinces with the highest demand for this regulation. Key data specific to İzmir (2018) include:

Target Group: Over one million homeowners in İzmir are expected to benefit from the regulation.

High-Density Areas: Applications are concentrated in densely populated and informally developed districts such as Buca, Konak, Karabağlar, Bayraklı, and Çiğli.

Process: Applications are submitted through the e-government system. The process emphasizes resolving property rights issues, alleviating public concerns about “What will happen to my home?” and promoting a citizen-centered transformation rather than speculative redevelopment.^【1】