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Politics of urban regeneration in Turkey: Possibilities and limits of municipal regeneration initiatives in a highly centralized country

ABSTRACT Neoliberal economic transformations in developing countries do not necessarily lead to political decentralization, which sets them apart from advanced capitalist contexts. The field of urban regeneration is a case in point where central governments in such countries have become the primary policy-makers, leaving local governments with minimal decision-making power. This article focuses on three atypical regeneration projects initiated by municipalities in Turkey, a highly centralized country undergoing rapid neoliberalization. It seeks to understand the factors that enable municipal governments to control regeneration processes within their jurisdiction. It argues that success of local initiatives depends on relations with the center and the ability of the local leadership to mobilize local stakeholders around a common vision. The findings are based on field research conducted in the three regeneration sites in three cities. The main data sources are in-depth interviews with politicians and stakeholders, descriptive statistics and the local and national print media.