HomeKnowledge LibraryBridging the Divide: Coalition Building for Early Childhood Development in Istanbul, 2016–2020
HomeKnowledge LibraryBridging the Divide: Coalition Building for Early Childhood Development in Istanbul, 2016–2020

Bridging the Divide: Coalition Building for Early Childhood Development in Istanbul, 2016–2020

This case study explores how principles of early childhood development are becoming embedded in Turkish local government.

As skyscrapers replaced parks, Istanbul developed a reputation for not sufficiently considering the needs of young children. In 2016, the Istanbul95 programme partnered with four district municipalities to create a digital-mapping tool to help locate vulnerable children, conduct regular home visits to hundreds of families, and design child-friendly public spaces.

This effort to embed principles of early childhood development into the work of Turkish local governments passed a milestone when, in 2019, the major metropolitan area governments of Istanbul and İzmir also agreed to join, a key step toward reaching many more children.

Based on interviews conducted in June and July 2020, this case study explores how principles of early childhood development are now becoming embedded in the work of Turkish local governments.


We commissioned this case study with Princeton University as part of a series that explores Urban95 implementation from a municipal leadership perspective.

Urban95: Management Case Studies

This collection of seven case studies from Princeton University documents how municipalities have prioritised their youngest residents through Urban95.

Learn more