A research on the role of municipalities in rural development: The case of Bozova district in Şanlıurfa province

This master's thesis aims to examine the role of local governments in the rural development process in the Bozova district of Şanlıurfa province, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, using a multidimensional approach. The thesis analyses the effects of changes in the administrative status of rural neighborhoods following the expansion of metropolitan boundaries under Law No. 6360 on service delivery and local development dynamics. The service provision of local administrations in rural areas, social policies, infrastructure works, agricultural support, cooperativism, environmental sustainability, and consultancy services are evaluated; the satisfaction levels of individuals living in rural neighbourhoods in Bozova district regarding local administration services are measured through a survey application. Within the scope of the fieldwork of the study, data was collected through face-to-face surveys with 174 individuals, and the data was analysed using the SPSS program. The findings revealed that the general satisfaction level of the local population was low in basic areas such as infrastructure and social services, that agricultural support and consultancy services were inadequate, and that vulnerable groups such as women, the elderly, and young people faced difficulties in accessing these services. Additionally, deficiencies were observed in services related to cooperatives and organizations, with limited trust and participation from the local community in these structures. The findings of the thesis highlight the need for local governments to adopt a more active, inclusive, and collaborative management approach to ensure the sustainability of rural development. It is necessary to strengthen the institutional structures of local governments in line with the principles of sensitivity to local needs, democratic participation, transparency, and social responsibility. The study also presents various policy recommendations aimed at improving the quality of services provided to rural areas and making the strategic roles of local governments more functional, using the example of Bozova. In this regard, the thesis not only contributes academically to local development strategies but also serves as a concrete field-based evaluation tool for decision-makers..