Integration of technology into settlement architecture and citizen-oriented digital services

Türkiye’s Settlement Pattern and Population Dynamics (Article 18)

Aydın Tiryaki (2026)

The future of settlement architecture is shaped by the “Smart City” concept, where physical spaces are woven with digital layers. However, a smart city is not just about placing cameras or sensors on every corner; it is about using technology as a tool to increase the quality of life for the citizen, protect public resources, and make management processes transparent. Digital transformation in Türkiye’s settlement pattern offers a unique opportunity to overcome administrative obstacles created by physical distances and to strengthen local democracy (1).

The greatest advantage of digital management is that service becomes independent of location. For the scattered settlements and remote neighborhoods we discussed in previous articles, digital platforms can function as “virtual public squares.” A structure where citizens can watch city council meetings live, follow where the local budget is spent in real-time, and vote electronically for investments to be made in their own neighborhoods is a technological response to the representation crisis (2). This moves management from merely going to a building into the palm of the citizen’s hand.

Smart city architecture also means resource efficiency. Smart energy grids, digital sensors that detect water leaks instantly, and transportation routes that change dynamically according to traffic density provide significant savings in the largest expenditure items of local governments (3). To overcome border and service problems, especially in metropolitan areas, it constitutes a requirement to carry out planning based on data analytics. The use of “Big Data” makes it possible to predict the future requirements of settlement units before problems even arise and to make preventive interventions (4).

However, the success of this transformation depends on closing the “digital divide.” If technology remains the monopoly of only a certain segment or developed centers, it may deepen the inequality between settlement units. Therefore, designing digital management tools with the simplest user experience and delivering high-speed internet infrastructure to the most remote villages is a necessity for the success of the new model in settlement architecture (5).

In conclusion, smart cities are not just technical infrastructure projects, but a ground for a new social contract. Integrating technology into civil administration and local government processes to build a management architecture that reduces bureaucracy and centralizes citizen participation should be Türkiye’s priority goal. Digitalization is the most powerful key to eliminating sluggishness in the settlement pattern (6).

Aydın Tiryaki Ankara, January 12, 2026

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All ideas, opinions, and suggestions in this article belong to the author. During the process of writing the text, the artificial intelligence Gemini was utilized for writing assistance and information compilation.

ANNEXES

Annex A: Fundamental Areas of Smart City Applications

• Smart Transportation: Real-time traffic management and public transport optimization.
• Smart Environment: Waste management sensors, air quality monitoring, and smart irrigation systems.
• Digital Governance: E-democracy platforms, open data sharing, and transparent budget tracking.
• Smart Living: Digital access for citizens to health, education, and social services.

Annex B: Digital Maturity Indicators in Local Governments

• Online completion rate of services.
• Presence of data-based decision-making mechanisms.
• Cybersecurity and personal data protection infrastructure.
• Local projects aimed at increasing digital literacy.

REFERENCES

(1) Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology, National Smart Cities Strategy and Action Plan. https://www.sanayi.gov.tr

(2) Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB), Guide to Smart Cities and Digital Transformation in Local Governments. https://www.tbb.gov.tr

(3) TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, Analysis of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Applications in City Management. https://www.tubitak.gov.tr

(4) Tiryaki, A. (2026). A New Model in Settlement Architecture (Article 16 of the Series).

(5) Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), Türkiye Broadband Internet Infrastructure and Access Statistics. https://www.btk.gov.tr

(6) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Smart and Sustainable Cities Report. https://www.un.org

(7) European Commission, Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) Local Government Reflections. https://ec.europa.eu