Turkish village construction in the historical process and the Village Law No 442

The Turkish society has maintained its way of life in both nomadic and settled forms since pre-Islamic times, a historical development that has persisted to the present day in our existing village and urban life. While the evolving needs of developing cities in Turkey have been attempted to be addressed through legal regulations enacted at various times and updated, the development of legislation concerning villages has lagged considerably behind urban-related legislation. In fact, the current 442nd Village Law, which came into effect in 1924, has remained largely unchanged, except for very minor parts, up to the present day. This study explores the social and economic context in which this law emerged, tracing the transition of Turkish society to settled life and its continuity, while also examining to what extent the law meets the needs of contemporary village life. In this context, the rural life from pre-Islamic Turkish societies to the present day is examined, with particular emphasis on the principles of formation and development of villages during the settlement process of Anatolia, especially during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. The new legal regulations emerging during the modernization period of the Ottoman Empire are discussed, and finally, the legislative process of the no 442 Village Law enacted by the Republic of Turkey in 1924 is examined in light of relevant information and documents. Additionally, an attempt is made to assess the extent to which the application of the relevant law is limited in contemporary times.