Overview
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), known in Turkish as İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi (İBB), is the central government agency responsible for managing municipal affairs in Istanbul Province, Turkey. Established on March 23, 1984, IMM operates within a mayor-council government framework and is one of the 30 metropolitan municipalities in Turkey. Its jurisdiction extends over the entire Istanbul Province since July 2004, providing it with comprehensive authority.
Governance and Leadership
Under the leadership of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the current mayor since 2019 and a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP), IMM has witnessed significant developments. İmamoğlu was re-elected in the 2024 local elections with 51.15% of the votes. The IMM Council, consisting of 333 members, is a crucial decision-making body, with members representing various districts. The council composition includes 185 seats for CHP, 120 for AKP, 7 for MHP, and 2 for BÜYÜK BİRLİK. Additionally, İmamoğlu holds the distinction of being the first president of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey from IMM.
The Metropolitan Executive Committee, which assists the mayor in implementing council decisions, includes 21 members elected by the council. Notable figures in IMM’s operational leadership include Özgür Soy, Ph.D., the General Manager of Metro Istanbul, highlighting strong leadership in technical and administrative domains.
Organizational Structure and Operations
IMM encompasses 39 district municipalities, each managed by its own elected mayor and council, responsible for delivering essential services such as water and sewerage systems, waste management, and transportation. IMM provides extensive services, including infrastructure development, environmental management, energy solutions, transportation services, emergency and social services, public libraries, and museums. The organizational structure features a detailed hierarchy from operations managers to specialized maintenance managers, ensuring efficient service delivery across Istanbul.
Economic and Employment Context
As a significant public sector employer with over 88,800 employees, IMM engages in multifaceted urban management and civic development activities. The Directorate of Finance supports strategic fiscal operations essential for urban growth. IMM's LinkedIn profile underscores key personnel like Assoc. Prof. PhD. Egle Radvile, highlighting expertise in cybernetics, environmental protection, and digitization within its strategic framework.
Recent Developments and Financial Standing
In November 2022, Fitch Ratings maintained IMM's Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings at 'B' with a negative outlook, illustrating fiscal challenges requiring financial prudence. IMM emphasizes innovation through smart city initiatives and technological advancements, as demonstrated by the performance of its technology companies: ISBAK AŞ, ISTTELKOM AŞ, and BELBIM, ranked 62nd, 91st, and 105th respectively in IT sector evaluations.
Strategic Initiatives and Competitive Landscape
IMM actively invests in smart city solutions, utilizing data analytics to optimize city operations. These initiatives reflect IMM's commitment to upgrading service delivery and modernizing infrastructure to enhance Istanbul's global competitiveness. IMM's efforts are recognized internationally, as evidenced by Istanbul's victory in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Global Mayors Challenge, enhancing its competitive position against other global metropolitan areas.
Potential Opportunities for Engagement
IMM presents numerous collaboration opportunities for stakeholders in smart city innovations and technology-driven urban development. Collaborators can significantly contribute to initiatives targeting urban challenges via technological solutions, aligning with IMM's strategic focus on enhancing public service delivery and infrastructure modernization.
Contact and Additional Information
IMM's headquarters is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul at the Saraçhane City Hall. For more information, IMM can be accessed through its official website [www.ibb.istanbul/en](http://www.ibb.istanbul/en). The municipality demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public engagement through its open data portal and active communication channels, including various social media platforms.
