THE SEARCH FOR EFFICIENCY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS IN TÜRKİYE

Local governments are administrative units that provide public services at the local level and are organized to meet the needs of local populations. These administrations play a critical role in strengthening local democracy, enhancing participation, and implementing principles such as transparency and accountability. However, various structural, financial, administrative, and legal problems arise both worldwide and in Türkiye. These problems negatively affect the effectiveness and efficiency of local governments and limit their capacity to respond to societal needs. Therefore, identifying the challenges faced by local governments and developing appropriate solutions is essential for making local governments more effective and sustainable. This research addresses the fundamental problems encountered by local governments in Türkiye, along with sustainable and innovative solutions and the steps required to make local governments more resilient and effective. In this context, the historical development and current structures of local governments are examined through a comprehensive literature review, followed by an analysis of the core issues these administrations face within the framework of their financial, administrative, and legal structures. Solution proposals are framed within the perspectives of central-local relations, administrative capacity, coordination, and local development.

Keywords

Strategic Management, Public Administration, Local Governments, Structural Problems, Sustainability