Research Article
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Mardin Metropolitan Municipality's Applications Related to Sports and Recreation And The Evaluation Of The Public's Expectations From Municipalities

Year 2025, Issue: Advanced Online Publication, 680 - 698
https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1791401

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the sports and recreation practices of Mardin Metropolitan Municipality and the public's expectations from municipalities in this regard. The rese-arch population consists of 678 volunteer participants living in the central city and dist-ricts of Mardin. The survey developed by Çoban (2002), titled "Public Expectations from Municipalities Regarding Sports Services," was used as the data collection tool, and the data obtained were analysed using the SPSS 25 software package. The study examined how the public perceives the services provided by Mardin Metropolitan Municipality in the field of sports and recreation and whether they benefit sufficiently from these services. The results reveal that the public is not sufficiently aware of municipal services and can-not effectively benefit from some facilities. Participants emphasised that diversifying mu-nicipal facilities and recreation areas, increasing their accessibility, and enabling public participation are important for the effective use of free time and the development of sports and recreation habits. The research shows that sports and recreation programmes can be used as a public relations tool to strengthen municipal-public relations. Furthermore, the findings indicate that municipalities need to develop sports and recreation policies that meet public expectations within the framework of the tasks assigned to local authorities. In conclusion, raising public awareness, increasing the accessibility of facilities, and offe-ring a variety of sports and recreation options will increase the use of municipal services and positively affect municipal-public relations.

References

  • Ağılönü, A., & Mengütay, S. (2009). Recreation services and model determination in local governments. International Journal of Human Sciences, 6(1), 160–176.
  • Akça, Y., & Özer, G. (2016). Sports policy in development plans in Turkey. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 4(2), 177–186.
  • Akkaya, D., & Karataş, F. (2022). Evaluation of the recreational dimensions of sports branches: A study on university students. Turkish Journal of Sport and Recreation Studies, 6(3), 88–97.
  • Borger, G., Schmid, T., & Müller, K. (2016). Local governments’ roles in planning and delivering recreational services: A comparative study. Journal of Urban Recreation Studies, 9(1), 55–73.
  • Bozkurt, A. (2024). Sports applications for everyone and public health: The importance of recreational activities. Anatolian Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 12(1), 101–115.
  • Büyükakgül, Ü. C. (2022). The relationship between leisure time management and leisure time benefit: A study on private sector employees. International Journal of Human Sciences, 19(1), 37–48.
  • Bykova, A. (2024). Municipality in Turkish law: Concept and content. Law Journal of the Higher School of Economics.
  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.
  • Constitution. (1982). Constitution of the Republic of Turkey (Art. 127). Official Gazette.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Çakmak, G., & Tapşın, F. O. (2020). Public perceptions and expectations regarding sports services provided by municipalities: The case of Adapazarı district. Gaziantep University Journal of Sports Sciences, 5(3), 263–275.
  • Çelik, S., & Şahin, M. (2022). The impact of local government recreation services on quality of life: A study on metropolitan municipalities. Journal of Sports and Recreation Research, 4(2), 112–130.
  • Çoban, B. (2023). Public expectations regarding sports services from municipalities (The case of Elazığ). Journal of Sports and Recreation Studies, 12(1), 45–60.
  • Demirci, A., Yılmaz, B., & Kaya, F. (2025). The effect of lack of social support and guidance on the use of sports facilities. Journal of Sports and Health Studies, 12(3), 45–58.
  • Demirhan, A., Özel, A., & Aslankılıç, M. (2024). The evolution of sports policies in Turkey within the framework of development plans. Sportif Bakış: Journal of Sports and Education Sciences, 11(3), 343–360. https://doi.org/10.33468/sbsebd.400
  • Ekmekçi, R. (2019). Strategic planning and applications in sports management. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(3), 250–263.
  • Erbaş, Ü. (2020). The relationship between physical activity level and recreation area. International Journal of Recreation and Sports Sciences, 4(1), 18–27.
  • Ermiş, A., & Çetin, M. (2023). An examination of the relationship between sport and recreation: A conceptual approach. Journal of Recreation and Sport Management, 8(2), 45–59.
  • Erturan-Ogut, E., & Demirhan, G. (2020). Leisure activities in Turkey during stay-at-home time. World Leisure Journal, 62(4), 349–351.
  • Esenkaya, A. (2010). Yerel yönetimlerden beklentiler: Spor hizmetleri üzerine bir araştırma (Konya ili örneği) [Yayınlanmamış Yüksek lisans tezi]. Selçuk Üniversitesi.
  • Evans, J. R., & Mathur, A. (2005). The value of online surveys. Internet Research, 15(2), 195–219.
  • Grix, J., & Carmichael, F. (2012). Why do governments invest in elite sport? A polemic. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 4(1), 73–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2011.576520
  • Güneşli, Ş. (2023). Yerel yönetimler tarafından sunulan spor hizmetlerinin kalite algısı ve kurumsal itibar yönetimine etkisi [Yayınlanmamış Yüksek lisans tezi]. İstanbul Üniversitesi.
  • Houlihan, B., & Green, M. (2009). Comparative elite sport development: Systems, structures and public policy. Butterworth-Heinemann.
  • Karakaya, Y., & Karakaya, S. (2020). Sports management and public policies: An examination of applications in Turkey. International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Training Science, 6(2), 115–129.
  • Karakuş, S. (2022). The social impacts of municipal sports policies: Supporting recreation and sports clubs. Journal of Sports and Recreation Research, 3(2), 54–70.
  • Karasar, N. (2019). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi (Güncellenmiş 34. baskı). Nobel Yayıncılık.
  • Kırtepe, A., & Çetinkaya, T. (2024). The relationship between recreational sports well-being and quality of life among Faculty of Sports Sciences students. Journal of Sports Education, 8(3), 113–123.
  • Koçak, S., & Zorba, E. (2021). The role of sport in social integration: A conceptual framework. Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 23(1), 45–59.
  • Korkut, H. (2021). Level of satisfaction with municipal services in Turkey: Inter-provincial comparison. Journal of Management and Economics Research, 19(2), 279–298.
  • Kurtoğlu, T. (2006). Yerel yönetimlerden beklenen spor hizmetleri [Yayımlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi]. Mersin Üniversitesi.
  • Misener, L., & Mason, D. S. (2006). Creating community networks: Can sporting events offer meaningful sources of social capital? Managing Leisure, 11(1), 39–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/13606710500414480
  • Okçi, A., Çetinaslan, A., Başaran, Z., & Erdal, R. (2009). Level of public use of sports facilities in Kocaeli province. Proceedings of the International Sports Tourism for All Congress.
  • Orselli, E., Bayrakcı, E., & Kahraman, S. (2017). Citizen satisfaction with municipal services: The case of Konya. Global Journal of Sociology: Current Issues, 7(1), 24–33.
  • Öztürk, M., & Güneş, Z. (2023). The balancing role of local governments among sports stakeholders: A public-private partnership perspective. Urban Sports Management Journal, 11(4), 133–148.
  • Öztürk, Y., & Köse, T. (2019). Health, time allocation and work: Empirical evidence from Turkey. Applied Economics, 51(39), 4268–4278.
  • Parlak, İ. H., Tutar, H., Tuzcuoğlu, F., Öztürk Başpınar, N., & Nam, S. (2023). Analysing the websites of metropolitan municipalities in Turkey in terms of digital access indicators. Lex Localis – Journal of Local Self-Government, 21(2), 471–494. https://doi.org/10.4335/21.2.471-494(2023)
  • Satılmış, S. E., Ekinci, N. E., & Güler, Y. (2022). The relationship between individuals' recreation awareness levels and quality of life during the pandemic. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science, 5(4), 769–784.
  • Sunay, H. (2016). Sports management: Concepts and processes. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 21(3), 332–348.
  • Talih, Ö., Taşcı, S. A., & Engin, T. (2023). An overview of local governments: An examination of the organisational structure of 51 provincial municipalities in Turkey. Beykoz Academy Journal, 11(2), 25–51. https://doi.org/10.14514/beykozad.1269924
  • Tinaz, C., Turco, D. M., & Salisbury, P. (2014). Sport policy in Turkey. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 6(3), 533–545. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2014.89324
  • Uçar, H. (2014). Local government sports and recreation services. Ankara University SBF Journal, 69(1), 33–48.
  • Uzuner, M. E., Akdeniz, H., Sarper, M., Duman, M., Aydın, C., Altuntaş, T., & Soyer, F. (2025). The effect of recreational fitness exercises on sedentary men’s levels of well-being. Journal of Medicine & Health, 21(6), 100–107.
  • Wright, K. B. (2005). Researching Internet-based populations: Advantages and disadvantages of online survey research, online questionnaire authoring software packages, and web survey services. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(3).
  • Yeniçeri, M., Kürkçü, R., & Özdağ, S. (2006). Civil servants' free time evaluation tendencies, anthropometric structures, and physical fitness levels. Proceedings of the International Sports and Wellness for All Congress.
  • Yetim, A. (2000). Sosyoloji ve spor. Topkar Matbaacılık.
  • Yıldırım, B., & Koca, C. (2023). The impact of local government policies on the operation of sports facilities: The case of Turkey. Anadolu Journal of Sports Sciences, 7(1), 89–104.
  • Yılmaz, S., & Güner, A. (2013). Local government discretion and accountability in Turkey. Public Administration and Development, 33(2), 125–142. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1646

MARDİN BÜYÜKŞEHİR BELEDİYESİ'NİN SPOR VE REKREASYON İLE İLGİLİ UYGULAMALARI VE HALKIN BELEDİYELERDEN BEKLENTİLERİNİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Year 2025, Issue: Advanced Online Publication, 680 - 698
https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1791401

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Mardin Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin spor ve rekreasyon uygulamalarını ve halkın belediyelerden bu konudaki beklentilerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmanın evrenini, Mardin il merkezi ve ilçelerinde yaşayan 678 gönüllü katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Veri toplama aracı olarak, Çoban (2002) tarafından geliştirilen “Spor Hizmetleri Konusunda Halkın Belediyelerden Beklentileri” anketi kullanılmış ve elde edilen veriler SPSS 25 paket programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada, Mardin Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin spor ve rekreasyon alanındaki hizmetlerinin halk tarafından nasıl algılandığı ve bu hizmetlerden yeterince faydalanıp faydalanılmadığı incelenmiştir. Sonuçlar, halkın belediye hizmetlerinden yeterince haberdar olmadığını ve bazı tesislerden etkin biçimde faydalanamadıklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Katılımcılar, belediye tesislerinin ve rekreasyon alanlarının çeşitlendirilmesi, erişilebilirliğinin artırılması ve halkın katılımına olanak sağlanmasının, serbest zamanın etkin kullanımı ve spor-rekreasyon alışkanlıklarının geliştirilmesi açısından önemli olduğunu vurgulamışlardır. Araştırma, spor ve rekreasyon uygulamalarının belediye-halk ilişkilerini güçlendiren bir halkla ilişkiler aracı olarak kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, elde edilen bulgular, mahalli idarelere verilen görevler çerçevesinde, belediyelerin halkın beklentilerine uygun spor ve rekreasyon politikaları geliştirmesi gerektiğine işaret etmektedir. Sonuç olarak, halkın bilinçlendirilmesi, tesislerin erişilebilirliğinin artırılması ve çeşitli spor-rekreasyon seçeneklerinin sunulmasının, belediye hizmetlerinden faydalanmayı artıracağını ve belediye-halk ilişkilerini olumlu yönde etkileyeceğini göstermektedir

References

  • Ağılönü, A., & Mengütay, S. (2009). Recreation services and model determination in local governments. International Journal of Human Sciences, 6(1), 160–176.
  • Akça, Y., & Özer, G. (2016). Sports policy in development plans in Turkey. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 4(2), 177–186.
  • Akkaya, D., & Karataş, F. (2022). Evaluation of the recreational dimensions of sports branches: A study on university students. Turkish Journal of Sport and Recreation Studies, 6(3), 88–97.
  • Borger, G., Schmid, T., & Müller, K. (2016). Local governments’ roles in planning and delivering recreational services: A comparative study. Journal of Urban Recreation Studies, 9(1), 55–73.
  • Bozkurt, A. (2024). Sports applications for everyone and public health: The importance of recreational activities. Anatolian Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 12(1), 101–115.
  • Büyükakgül, Ü. C. (2022). The relationship between leisure time management and leisure time benefit: A study on private sector employees. International Journal of Human Sciences, 19(1), 37–48.
  • Bykova, A. (2024). Municipality in Turkish law: Concept and content. Law Journal of the Higher School of Economics.
  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.
  • Constitution. (1982). Constitution of the Republic of Turkey (Art. 127). Official Gazette.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Çakmak, G., & Tapşın, F. O. (2020). Public perceptions and expectations regarding sports services provided by municipalities: The case of Adapazarı district. Gaziantep University Journal of Sports Sciences, 5(3), 263–275.
  • Çelik, S., & Şahin, M. (2022). The impact of local government recreation services on quality of life: A study on metropolitan municipalities. Journal of Sports and Recreation Research, 4(2), 112–130.
  • Çoban, B. (2023). Public expectations regarding sports services from municipalities (The case of Elazığ). Journal of Sports and Recreation Studies, 12(1), 45–60.
  • Demirci, A., Yılmaz, B., & Kaya, F. (2025). The effect of lack of social support and guidance on the use of sports facilities. Journal of Sports and Health Studies, 12(3), 45–58.
  • Demirhan, A., Özel, A., & Aslankılıç, M. (2024). The evolution of sports policies in Turkey within the framework of development plans. Sportif Bakış: Journal of Sports and Education Sciences, 11(3), 343–360. https://doi.org/10.33468/sbsebd.400
  • Ekmekçi, R. (2019). Strategic planning and applications in sports management. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(3), 250–263.
  • Erbaş, Ü. (2020). The relationship between physical activity level and recreation area. International Journal of Recreation and Sports Sciences, 4(1), 18–27.
  • Ermiş, A., & Çetin, M. (2023). An examination of the relationship between sport and recreation: A conceptual approach. Journal of Recreation and Sport Management, 8(2), 45–59.
  • Erturan-Ogut, E., & Demirhan, G. (2020). Leisure activities in Turkey during stay-at-home time. World Leisure Journal, 62(4), 349–351.
  • Esenkaya, A. (2010). Yerel yönetimlerden beklentiler: Spor hizmetleri üzerine bir araştırma (Konya ili örneği) [Yayınlanmamış Yüksek lisans tezi]. Selçuk Üniversitesi.
  • Evans, J. R., & Mathur, A. (2005). The value of online surveys. Internet Research, 15(2), 195–219.
  • Grix, J., & Carmichael, F. (2012). Why do governments invest in elite sport? A polemic. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 4(1), 73–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2011.576520
  • Güneşli, Ş. (2023). Yerel yönetimler tarafından sunulan spor hizmetlerinin kalite algısı ve kurumsal itibar yönetimine etkisi [Yayınlanmamış Yüksek lisans tezi]. İstanbul Üniversitesi.
  • Houlihan, B., & Green, M. (2009). Comparative elite sport development: Systems, structures and public policy. Butterworth-Heinemann.
  • Karakaya, Y., & Karakaya, S. (2020). Sports management and public policies: An examination of applications in Turkey. International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Training Science, 6(2), 115–129.
  • Karakuş, S. (2022). The social impacts of municipal sports policies: Supporting recreation and sports clubs. Journal of Sports and Recreation Research, 3(2), 54–70.
  • Karasar, N. (2019). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi (Güncellenmiş 34. baskı). Nobel Yayıncılık.
  • Kırtepe, A., & Çetinkaya, T. (2024). The relationship between recreational sports well-being and quality of life among Faculty of Sports Sciences students. Journal of Sports Education, 8(3), 113–123.
  • Koçak, S., & Zorba, E. (2021). The role of sport in social integration: A conceptual framework. Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 23(1), 45–59.
  • Korkut, H. (2021). Level of satisfaction with municipal services in Turkey: Inter-provincial comparison. Journal of Management and Economics Research, 19(2), 279–298.
  • Kurtoğlu, T. (2006). Yerel yönetimlerden beklenen spor hizmetleri [Yayımlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi]. Mersin Üniversitesi.
  • Misener, L., & Mason, D. S. (2006). Creating community networks: Can sporting events offer meaningful sources of social capital? Managing Leisure, 11(1), 39–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/13606710500414480
  • Okçi, A., Çetinaslan, A., Başaran, Z., & Erdal, R. (2009). Level of public use of sports facilities in Kocaeli province. Proceedings of the International Sports Tourism for All Congress.
  • Orselli, E., Bayrakcı, E., & Kahraman, S. (2017). Citizen satisfaction with municipal services: The case of Konya. Global Journal of Sociology: Current Issues, 7(1), 24–33.
  • Öztürk, M., & Güneş, Z. (2023). The balancing role of local governments among sports stakeholders: A public-private partnership perspective. Urban Sports Management Journal, 11(4), 133–148.
  • Öztürk, Y., & Köse, T. (2019). Health, time allocation and work: Empirical evidence from Turkey. Applied Economics, 51(39), 4268–4278.
  • Parlak, İ. H., Tutar, H., Tuzcuoğlu, F., Öztürk Başpınar, N., & Nam, S. (2023). Analysing the websites of metropolitan municipalities in Turkey in terms of digital access indicators. Lex Localis – Journal of Local Self-Government, 21(2), 471–494. https://doi.org/10.4335/21.2.471-494(2023)
  • Satılmış, S. E., Ekinci, N. E., & Güler, Y. (2022). The relationship between individuals' recreation awareness levels and quality of life during the pandemic. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science, 5(4), 769–784.
  • Sunay, H. (2016). Sports management: Concepts and processes. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 21(3), 332–348.
  • Talih, Ö., Taşcı, S. A., & Engin, T. (2023). An overview of local governments: An examination of the organisational structure of 51 provincial municipalities in Turkey. Beykoz Academy Journal, 11(2), 25–51. https://doi.org/10.14514/beykozad.1269924
  • Tinaz, C., Turco, D. M., & Salisbury, P. (2014). Sport policy in Turkey. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 6(3), 533–545. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2014.89324
  • Uçar, H. (2014). Local government sports and recreation services. Ankara University SBF Journal, 69(1), 33–48.
  • Uzuner, M. E., Akdeniz, H., Sarper, M., Duman, M., Aydın, C., Altuntaş, T., & Soyer, F. (2025). The effect of recreational fitness exercises on sedentary men’s levels of well-being. Journal of Medicine & Health, 21(6), 100–107.
  • Wright, K. B. (2005). Researching Internet-based populations: Advantages and disadvantages of online survey research, online questionnaire authoring software packages, and web survey services. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(3).
  • Yeniçeri, M., Kürkçü, R., & Özdağ, S. (2006). Civil servants' free time evaluation tendencies, anthropometric structures, and physical fitness levels. Proceedings of the International Sports and Wellness for All Congress.
  • Yetim, A. (2000). Sosyoloji ve spor. Topkar Matbaacılık.
  • Yıldırım, B., & Koca, C. (2023). The impact of local government policies on the operation of sports facilities: The case of Turkey. Anadolu Journal of Sports Sciences, 7(1), 89–104.
  • Yılmaz, S., & Güner, A. (2013). Local government discretion and accountability in Turkey. Public Administration and Development, 33(2), 125–142. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1646
There are 48 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Sports and Recreation
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Özge Yavaş 0000-0002-1948-1620

Oğuz Yılmaz 0000-0002-4789-9952

Submission Date September 26, 2025
Acceptance Date December 2, 2025
Early Pub Date December 15, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Issue: Advanced Online Publication

Cite

APA Yavaş, Ö., & Yılmaz, O. (2025). Mardin Metropolitan Municipality’s Applications Related to Sports and Recreation And The Evaluation Of The Public’s Expectations From Municipalities. Journal of Sport for All and Recreation(Advanced Online Publication), 680-698. https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1791401

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