Information Package / Course Catalogue
Current Problems of Local Government
Course Code: YYÖN208
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to enable students to analyze the contemporary administrative, legal, financial, social, and environmental challenges faced by local governments in Türkiye and around the world. The course aims to develop students' ability to evaluate current issues such as urbanization, migration, climate change, disaster management, digital transformation, sustainability, participatory governance, financial resource management, and local democracy from a local government perspective. It also seeks to equip students with the skills to monitor current developments and propose practical solutions to challenges encountered in local government practices.

Course Content

This course examines the contemporary administrative, legal, financial, and social challenges faced by local governments. Topics include urbanization, migration, demographic change, environmental and climate issues, disaster management, sustainable cities, digital municipalities, smart city applications, financial sustainability, local governance, citizen participation, transparency, accountability, ethical administration, quality in local public service delivery, and the local government policies of the European Union and other international organizations. Current legislative developments and case studies are analyzed to develop solution-oriented perspectives on local government practices.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the contemporary administrative, legal, financial, social, and environmental challenges faced by local governments.
2.Analyzes the impacts of urbanization, migration, climate change, disaster management, and digital transformation on local governments.
3.Evaluates current practices related to public service delivery, fiscal sustainability, governance, and citizen participation in local governments.
4.Compares national and international best practices addressing current local government issues and develops solution proposals.
5.Interprets recent legislative amendments, policy documents, and judicial decisions related to local governments from a critical perspective.
6.Evaluates contemporary local government issues within the framework of scientific methods, ethical principles, and sustainable governance.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Eken, M., Köseoğlu, Ö. & Şen, M. L. (Ed.). (2024). Yerel Yönetimler. Ankara: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to current issues in local governments and global trends
Week 2 - Theoretical
Current structure of the local government system in Türkiye and recent reform initiatives
Week 3 - Theoretical
Urbanization, population growth, migration, and the impacts of irregular migration on local governments
Week 4 - Theoretical
Financial challenges, budgeting, and fiscal sustainability in local governments
Week 5 - Theoretical
Environmental management, climate change, and sustainable development in local governments
Week 6 - Theoretical
Disaster management, resilient cities, and the role of local governments in crisis management
Week 7 - Theoretical
Digital municipalities, e-municipality services, smart cities, and artificial intelligence applications in local governments
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Overall Assessment
Week 9 - Theoretical
Local democracy, citizen participation, governance, and cooperation with civil society organizations
Week 10 - Theoretical
Ethics, transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption practices in local governments
Week 11 - Theoretical
Service quality, performance management, and citizen satisfaction in local governments
Week 12 - Theoretical
Local government policies of the European Union, the United Nations, and other international organizations, with examples of best practices
Week 13 - Theoretical
Recent legislative developments, judicial decisions, and case studies in local government practices
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
The future of local governments: digital transformation, sustainable cities, innovative governance approaches, and course evaluation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Assignment1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Assignment101414
Quiz1099
Midterm Examination1189
Final Examination111415
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
OÇ-1
5
2
3
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
5
3
1
OÇ-2
5
3
5
2
5
2
2
2
3
2
5
4
2
OÇ-3
5
3
5
2
5
3
2
2
3
2
5
5
3
OÇ-4
4
2
5
2
5
4
3
3
4
2
4
4
5
OÇ-5
4
2
5
2
5
3
2
2
5
3
5
4
3
OÇ-6
4
5
4
2
5
3
2
3
5
2
4
4
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026