About the OECD #ResilientPlaces blog series
In an era of unprecedented economic, environmental and geopolitical changes, local and regional leaders are uniquely placed to turn these changes into opportunities to improve the well-being of all citizens, strengthen resilience and boost competitiveness. Following the OECD Regional Development Policy Ministerial Committee meeting in Warsaw, Poland (19–20 May 2025), the OECD Champion Mayors, local and regional leaders, as well as stakeholders, continue to share innovative solutions to reinforce local and regional resilience in this blog series.
The world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 and 10.2 billion by 2100. Many of these people will be on the move – pulled to new places by economic opportunity or pushed by conflicts, scarcity and a changing climate. For years, Gaziantep has been working on the front lines to support Syrian refugees. The lessons we have learned can help all cities prepare for the future.
Record migration – and Gaziantep on the frontlines
In 2023, migration to OECD countries reached record levels for the second year in a row. This follows a steadily rising long term trend: in 2020, 281 million people were living in a country other than their country of birth, 128 million more than in 1990 and more than three times as many as in 1970.
Since 2012, Türkiye has been working to support a surge in Syrian refugees – concentrated in regional cities along the Syria-Türkiye border and in the metropolises of western Türkiye.
Around 90% of the refugees arrived in Türkiye and Gaziantep between 2012 and 2015, when the period of war and violence was at its bloodiest. This influx has stimulated economic growth, but has also created challenges such as overcrowding, pressure on public services and cultural tensions. The balance between integration and maintaining community identity has become crucial as the city has adapted to these demographic changes.
The influx of refugees into a city like Gaziantep, which already had a population of 1.8 million, put a huge strain on municipal services. Human resources had to be increased, and the language barrier and cultural differences had to be overcome.
A rapid response
To meet the challenges of local government, the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality (GMM) has expanded its investments in infrastructure and services, while also extending its services and responsibilities in the fields of education, employment, health, social services, and humanitarian aid. Municipal departments, public institutions, NGOs and INGOs also had to be coordinated. In addition, a Migration Office was set up within the municipality to coordinate with international NGOs, disseminate information on the rights of refugees and organise municipal services accordingly.
The GMM established Türkiye’s first Migration Management Directorate to lead the refugee response programme of the city. The GMM’s policies are based on ensuring the common welfare of refugees and host communities.
For example, GMM’s Ensar community centre provides Turkish and Arabic language courses, as well as literacy courses, given that a significant number of Syrian refugees come from rural areas in the Aleppo region. In addition, it works to raise awareness of the provisions of the Temporary Protection Regulation, family law, women’s health and rights, raising awareness of the negative impact of early marriage; and vocational training courses tailored to the participants’ aptitudes and skills in order to develop new skills.
The earthquake of February 2023
Gaziantep has one of the largest industrial zones in Türkiye, and every year the city attracts large numbers of workers from the region and surrounding towns such as Kilis, Siirt, Osmaniye, Mardin, Van, Şanlıurfa, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adıyaman.
However, following the 2023 earthquake that hit the region, this flow accelerated. Of the two million people who fled the disaster areas, almost 250,000 came to Gaziantep. These ‘new migrants’ come mainly from the towns of Kahramanmaraş, Hatay and Adıyaman.
Their true numbers are unknown, given many live with relatives who are already residents, and others are a highly mobile population that often does not settle down. However, their presence has an impact on the city’s urban services (water supply, sanitation, waste management, public transport, etc). As a result, the city is experiencing pressure on property prices, with strong demand for rentals, but Gaziantep has been able to maintain sustainable urban development, thanks in particular to its ‘Post-Disaster Recovery’ policy.
GMM established the first “Post-Disaster Recovery Department” in Türkiye. In the medium and long term, Gaziantep began the construction of new education and housing areas as well as and the creation of two Vocational Education and Training centres in the two areas of the Gaziantep region most affected by the 2023 earthquake. To ensure that those living in the city are not affected, GMM has implemented a housing project of 50,000 units in collaboration with our Municipality and the Mass Housing Administration. The aim is to relieve the pressure on the property market in the medium term, and to rehouse earthquake victims from the Gaziantep region and surrounding towns.
Partnership is a priority
Cities are undoubtedly primarily responsible for creating local opportunities for social, economic, cultural and political inclusion. However, to be effective, they must work in partnership with national governments to respond the pressures of migration. A strong, sustainable and comprehensive migration model also requires civil and international support, so partnerships with national and international NGOs, the United Nations and development agencies is also important.
Gaziantep has worked hard to develop these partnerships to improve the services offered to migrants and refugees. To consolidate these essential relationships and underline the importance of working together on long-term integration policies, Gaziantep hosted an international forum on local solutions to migration and displacement, during which the Gaziantep Declaration was signed by all the local participants. This declaration confirms the important role of local authorities in migration, encourages other communities to realise their potential in managing migration, and collectively raises the voice of cities at a national level.
Gaziantep city new city view (Source: The city of Gaziantep)
Everyone’s city
Gaziantep’s journey is still unfolding. Like many cities, it has faced moments of deep strain – and responded not with all the answers, but with commitment, adaptability and a willingness to learn. The city’s experience shows that local leadership, especially when supported by national and international partnerships, can help lay the groundwork for more inclusive and resilient communities. As migration continues to shape the future of cities around the world, we hope that the lessons emerging from Gaziantep offer practical insights – on how we can make cities work for all.
OECD support for managing migration
The OECD offers strategic guidance to cities like Gaziantep that are on the migration frontline through local-level integration tools and evidence-based planning. Essential resources include The Integration of Migrants in OECD Regions, Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023, and the Territorial Approach to Migrant and Refugee Integration.
Elected as Mayor of Gaziantep in 2014, and re-elected in 2019, Fatma Şahin is the city’s first female mayor. Ms Şahin is also Chair of the Asian Mayors Forum (AMF) and Union of Municipalities of Turkey. From 2016 – 2019, she was President of the United Cities and Local Governments – Middle East and West Africa Section (UCLG-MEWA), and Vice-President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). From 2011, Ms Şahin served as a Minister at the Turkish Cabinet. In 2002 she was a parliamentarian in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and member of the Turkish-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission. Ms Şahin holds a BSc degree in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University.