Bornova’s Villages Regain Their Former Status
Twelve former villages of Bornova, which were reclassified as neighborhoods under a law enacted in 2012, are now regaining their rural neighborhood status. Following decisions passed by the Bornova Municipal Council, villagers whose economies heavily rely on agriculture and livestock expressed their gratitude to Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki for supporting rural development. Once the decision is approved by the Metropolitan Municipal Council, agricultural buildings in these reclassified areas will benefit from reduced property taxes and irrigation costs.
Under the Metropolitan Municipality Law that came into effect in 2014, 16,220 villages and 1,053 towns across Turkey were reclassified as neighborhoods. The law also transferred villages’ pastures, properties, and communal assets to municipalities. Although agricultural production, livestock farming, and rural life were deeply affected by this change, many villages managed to remain connected to production.
Mayor Eşki: “We won’t leave the people of the land behind”
Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki stated that they support citizens who wish to preserve their village identity. “We are fighting to ensure these areas stay productive and that agriculture and animal husbandry continue to thrive. With the return of village status, we will accelerate our efforts to develop farming and livestock through cooperatives,” he said.
Voices from the Villagers: “This isn’t a city, we are villagers”
Yaşar Yılmaz / Mukhtar of Beşyol Neighborhood:
“Our request was to regain our village status. Becoming a neighborhood brought serious restrictions to our production. With Beşyol now considered a rural neighborhood, we will have more freedom in agriculture, poultry, and livestock farming. Mayor Ömer Eşki has always stood by us. We are very thankful to him.”
Cemil Güler / 65 years old / Farmer:
“I’ve worked the land all my life. I don’t even know what a factory looks like. I don’t live in a city to be called a neighborhood. I must be a villager. Mayor Eşki visits us often and shares tea with us. May he be blessed.”
Gönül Koncagül / 58 years old / Farmer:
“I’ve been farming these lands for 45 years. After becoming a neighborhood, we lost our pastures and had to quit livestock farming. Thanks to our mayor, we have hope again. What we grow in our gardens feeds us and benefits the country.”
Ali Yılmaz / 58 years old / Farmer:
“We live in a rural area; we’re farmers with vineyards and gardens. We’re not a neighborhood — we’re a village. Gaining rural neighborhood status will help us breathe again. We thank our mayor.”
Mustafa Koncagül / 68 years old / Farmer:
“After the 2B law, many had to give up their land. We lost our pastures, and livestock farming collapsed. But now we’re becoming a rural neighborhood again. Even the hope of it has made us happy.”