The impact of local government's cultural planning policies in the urban space: The case of Bursa

Cities are complex structures in which many dynamics take place together at different scales. Dec. This complex structure contains social problems, needs, and expectations. In order to ensure physical and social order in cities, it is necessary to correctly identify problems, create effective solutions, and meet demands. In this context, the primary role falls to local governments. Because local governments are fundamental institutions involved in the provision of basic services in the city. Local governments are providers of services in the physical, social, and economic environment on basic rights and needs. One of these service areas is the field of culture. In our country, the service framework of the field of culture at the scale of local governments is being established as one of the target areas within the scope of strategic planning. When the relevant literature is examined, it is seen that the field of culture is a fundamental right for every individual in society. Cultural services should also be provided through the creation of cultural policies through cultural planning. In this way, it will be possible to ensure a culture-oriented development in the cities and strengthen the identity of being a city of culture and art. This research, it is aimed to reveal the content of the culture and art policies of local governments and the role of local government in this process. The metropolitan area of the city of Bursa has been determined as a study area. Data were collected from the strategic plans prepared within the metropolitan municipality and district municipalities within the boundaries of the metropolitan area by content analysis and qualitative research methods from the opinions of expert personnel in local governments. As a result of the research, it was determined that Bursa Metropolitan Municipality should develop strategies and practices in the field of culture in cooperation with district municipalities. In this context, the most important need is to identify and map the cultural resources of the city and to create cultural policies through cultural plans. The contents of the cultural areas included in the current strategic plans do not have any effect on the cultural development of the city. In addition, upper-scale strategy documents include policy decisions for the city to gain a cultural urban identity in the future. In this context, Bursa has the potential to be a city that can develop by gaining an identity in the field of culture. For this, detailed analyzes should be made about the cultural areas that can be developed at the city scale. It should not be forgotten that in order to increase the impact of cultural space on urban space, it must first be accessible. The accessibility of cultural space also depends on its handling within a plan and establishing relations with other policies. The city's cultural and artistic policies should be addressed in a way that will develop existing potentials and provide new opportunities, together with local economic and social policies. In this way, a development will be achieved in the cultural area targeted at the urban scale. In order to ensure the continuity of the cultural development provided, the participation of local experts and citizens should be ensured in the formulation of cultural policies. When culture becomes an area of participation, thought and development in the city, its influence in urban space will increase even more. One way is to collect, analyze and use data on the cultural landscape emerging in the city during the policy making process. Cultural data collected from institutions, people and places related to the city should be updated and shared openly. These data should form a basis for local governments in the creation of the city's cultural policies. Local governments should also see the cultural field not only as a service area, but also as a solution provider in the city and a tool that directs the development of the city.