
Contribution of Municipalities in Policies Implemented for Disabled Individuals in Turkey: The Case of Bağcılar Municipality
Chapter from the book:
Çalışkan Ercan,
S.
(ed.)
2025.
Current Urban, Environmental and Local Government Policies and Practices.
Synopsis
In the public administration literature, municipalities are defined as administrative structures that promote local development, aim to improve the quality of life of urban residents and coordinate the implementation of social policies at the local level. In this framework, municipalities have a critical role in ensuring social justice, equalising access to public services and improving the quality of life of disadvantaged groups. Especially their activities in the field of social policies are of vital importance for individuals facing economic, social and physical disadvantages. Among the main duties of municipalities are to encourage the participation of persons with disabilities in social life, to increase the physical and cognitive accessibility of urban spaces and to ensure the diversification and expansion of social services. Securing the access of persons with disabilities to education, employment, health and cultural activities is not only a requirement of social policies, but also a fundamental responsibility that should be addressed from a human rights perspective. In this respect, the effectiveness of the services and policies of municipalities towards disabled people is a determining factor in terms of ensuring social integration and developing inclusive urban policies. In this respect, this study analyses the roles of municipalities in Turkey towards disabled people and presents a concrete evaluation through the example of Bağcılar Municipality. The main purpose of the study is to analyse the policies and practices developed by Bağcılar Municipality for disabled people, to measure the effectiveness of these policies and to better understand the role of local governments in social inclusion. In addition, this research, which aims to contribute to the literature on disability policies, offers a guiding perspective for other local governments by opening successful municipal practices and strategic approaches to discussion. Aiming to contribute to the construction of an inclusive urban management approach, this study develops recommendations to strengthen the integration of social justice and accessibility principles into local government policies.