The role of local governments in the regional development: The case of Siirt provience

The issue of disparities in development between regions is a common challenge faced by many countries, regardless of their overall level of economic development. The methods adopted to address this issue, as well as the regional development policies implemented, vary significantly not only from country to country but also from region to region within the same country. In addressing the problem of underdevelopment in certain regions, the concept of regional development has become increasingly prominent, with policies formulated around this concept gaining importance. In order to develop and effectively implement regional development strategies, many countries have introduced new legal regulations and have increasingly delegated greater authority to local government units. This study consists of four main sections. The first section discusses the concept of a region and classifies different types of regions. The second section focuses on the objectives of regional development policies, theoretical approaches to regional development, and an overview of development policies implemented in Turkey. The third section examines the historical evolution of local governments in Turkey and their legal responsibilities. The final section presents a field study conducted to assess the role of local governments in the development of Siirt. Data obtained through a survey were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 software. In the conclusion, the study evaluates the role and influence of local governments in Siirt's development and provides recommendations for new strategies to support the socio-economic growth of the region.