Western Black Sea Development Agency - BAKI

‘Let your voice resound in this world like David's / Baki, a pleasant sound remaining in this dome’ BAKI

‘Welcome, welcome, farewell, farewell, farewell to all your endeavours’ Hz. Pir Şeyh Şaban-ı Veli

‘He who has a good friend has no need of a mirror.’ Mevlâna

Introduction:

‘May your arrival be with a smile, your departure be with a smile, and all your affairs be with a smile,’ said Hz.Pir Şeyh Şaban-ı Veli. If he were among us today, he would probably say: "O people of Kastamonu, O Western Black Sea Society! I said may your arrival be with a smile, your departure be with a smile, and all your affairs be with a smile. But you have become obstacles to your arrival, your departure, and your every endeavour! What has happened to you?‘

Now, don't ask where this came from, my friend. ’He who has a good friend has no need of a mirror." The valuable assets of the region. Do not create a fog and enjoy this atmosphere by diminishing your own value at a time when the region's 7,000-year-old ill fortune is beginning to dissipate.

History does not forgive.

What are we trying to do? We are like BAKI, who said, ‘Let the voice resound in this world like David's / Baki remains a pleasant sound in this dome.’ We are striving to establish the Western Black Sea Development Agency (BAKI).

An action prevents imitation, but imitation reveals its value.

However, it delays what should happen in the short term to the medium term.

History does not forgive delay either.

For the Western Black Sea needs sincere people. Not selfish ones.

What a great mistake it is to trust wealth that we cannot take a single penny of with us.

Money is a good servant but a bad master.

The same applies to the positions and seats we will leave behind in two days. It is not the time to gain value from the seat, but the time to add value to the seat.

WESTERN BLACK SEA MOVEMENT

The Western Black Sea Movement is an institutional cooperation platform developed under the leadership of BAKFED and operating with a primes inter pares approach. This broad partnership, covering the provinces of Düzce, Bolu, Zonguldak, Bartın, Karabük, Kastamonu, Sinop, Çorum and Çankırı, has enabled the region to achieve an increasingly strong vision through the coordination of public institutions, local governments, universities and civil society organisations. The Western Black Sea region represents Turkey's strategic hinterland with its capacity to serve as a natural buffer zone between two mega-cities, Istanbul and Ankara. The region is well-positioned to become Turkey's ‘safe living belt’ thanks to:

• Extensive forest resources,
• Clean water sources with new reservoir and dam potential,
• Spacious settlement areas suitable for horizontal architecture,
• A solid ground structure that minimises earthquake risk

This makes it a potential ‘safe living belt’ for Turkey. This situation makes the Western Black Sea one of the country's most critical development areas, not only in environmental terms but also socio-economically.

The initiative, with its structure aimed at activating the region's economic, social and cultural potential, has emerged as one of Turkey's most dynamic and inclusive development models in recent years. In particular, the dual demand for High-Speed Trains (YHT) and the vision of ‘producing as much as Switzerland’ make the Western Black Sea a strategic starting point for overcoming Turkey's decade-long deep economic crisis. The region has a strong production ecosystem based entirely on its own resources:

• Filyos natural gas,
• Zonguldak hard coal,
• Küre copper,
• Bolu–Kastamonu forest resources,
• Highly qualified human resources in the diaspora.

These components clearly demonstrate the region's capacity to become the new regional locomotive for Turkey's goal of rising to the G-10 league.

‘The Western Black Sea has been a region that has not received the return it deserves for the value it has produced for a century; unless a strategic restructuring begins, this inequality will continue for generations.’ (Ateş, Strasam, 2024). If this is not done, future generations will not forgive.

This observation clearly explains why the region needs institutional and sustainable development management. Precisely for this reason, the Western Black Sea Council, established at the 2025 Western Black Sea Ankara Workshop, has placed the establishment of the Western Black Sea Development Agency (BAKI) as its first strategic objective on its agenda. BAKI stands out as the fundamental institutional mechanism that will integrate the fragmented structure of the region, optimise resource use, and transform the Western Black Sea into Turkey's new growth hub.

Regional Development Administrations in Turkey: A Comparative Analysis of GAP, DAP, DOKAP, and KOP

Regional development disparities in Turkey have been one of the fundamental issues of public policy for many years. In this context, starting in the 1980s, the state established various Regional Development Administrations (RDAs) with the aim of accelerating regional development, reducing socio-economic imbalances, and planning public investments more rationally in terms of spatial distribution.

The first of these agencies was the SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (GAP), followed by the EASTERN ANATOLIA PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (DAP), the EASTERN BLACK SEA PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (DOKAP), and the CONYA PLAIN PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (KOP).

This section of the study compares the four development agencies in terms of their year of establishment, geographical scope, budget size, programme priorities and areas of contribution.

Institutional Framework of Regional Development Agencies

1. SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (GAP)

GAP was established in 1989 by Decree Law No. 388. It covers the provinces of Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şırnak and Şanlıurfa. It is Turkey's largest regional development programme and has played a pioneering role in energy, irrigation, agriculture, rural development and social transformation projects.

2. EASTERN ANATOLIA PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (DAP)

DAP was established in 2011 by Decree Law No. 642 and carries out development activities across a wide geographical area including Ağrı, Ardahan, Bingöl, Bitlis, Elâzığ, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hakkâri, Iğdır, Kars, Muş, and Tunceli. Its 2024 investment budget is approximately 238 million TL. Infrastructure, agriculture, water management, and social life projects are prioritised.

3. EASTERN BLACK SEA PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (DOKAP)

DOKAP was established in 2011. It covers the provinces of Amasya, Artvin, Bayburt, Çorum, Giresun, Gümüşhane, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, Tokat and Trabzon. Its 2024 budget is 675.6 million TL. The main areas of focus are tourism, rural development, agricultural transformation, organic production and cooperatives.

4. KONYA PLAIN PROJECT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (KOP)

KOP was established in 2011, based in Konya. Its 2024 budget is 439 million TL, with a total investment target of 350.7 billion TL for the 2024–28 period. Agricultural modernisation, development of irrigation systems, water management, and rural infrastructure are the main priorities.

Comparative Analysis

1. Establishment and Legal Framework

• The oldest and most comprehensive administration is GAP (1989).
• DAP, DOKAP and KOP were all established after 2011.

2. Regional Coverage

• Widest geographical area: DAP
• Highest population: GAP
• Highest green area/forest coverage: DOKAP
• Driest basin: KOP

3. Budget Comparison (2024)

• DOKAP: ~675.6 million TL
• KOP: ~439 million TL
• DAP: ~238 million TL
• GAP: Multi-year large-scale programme; total project scale in the hundreds of billions rather than annual comparison

4. Areas of Impact

• GAP: Agriculture, irrigation, energy, social transformation
• DAP: Rural infrastructure, water and agricultural investments
• DOKAP: Tourism, organic farming, rural development
• KOP: Water management, agricultural productivity

WESTERN BLACK SEA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (BAKAP) STRATEGIC AREAS

The Western Black Sea Region, comprising the provinces of Düzce, Bolu, Zonguldak, Bartın, Karabük, Kastamonu, and Sinop, will be structured around seven core provinces due to the administrative inclusion of Çorum within the boundaries of the EASTERN BLACK SEA PROJECT (DOKAP); however, considering the region's economic and logistical interaction with Istanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya, and Ankara, it should not be forgotten that it is a macro-region with the capacity to directly affect 11 provinces. For this reason, the Western Black Sea Development Project (BAKAP) should be based on a multi-centred development approach.

The following headings outline the main strategic areas that BAKAP should cover:

1. Mega Transport and Integration Projects

1.1. Western Black Sea High-Speed Train (YHT) Line

One of the fundamental components of the region's long-term development is the Western Black Sea YHT line, which connects the Istanbul-Ankara-Düzce-Bolu-Karabük-Kastamonu-Sinop axis. This line:

• Strategically connects Istanbul and Central Anatolia with the Black Sea.
• Reduces logistics costs and increases the region's capacity to attract investment.
• Accelerates tourism and human mobility.
• Enables the populations of Istanbul and Ankara to live in these regions.
• Minimises earthquake damage.
• Brings urban life to rural areas.

1.2. Western Black Sea Coastal High-Speed Train Line

The Coastal High-Speed Train line, to be established along the Istanbul-Sakarya-Düzce-Zonguldak-Bartın-Amasra-Cide-Sinop coastal strip, will transform the region into a unique corridor for both northern coastal logistics and tourism.

When these two high-speed rail lines are combined, the Western Black Sea region will become one of Turkey's regions with the highest accessibility and logistics performance.

The Western Black Sea region will gain the potential and capacity to produce more than Switzerland.

The population of Istanbul, which is at risk of being destroyed in an earthquake, will be able to live in this region - early evacuation will be ensured.

Tourism will increase dramatically. New job opportunities will be created. The region's own resources, natural gas, coal, forest products, copper and human resources will be evaluated.

1.3. Completion of the Western Black Sea Coastal Motorway Line

The failure to complete the Western Black Sea section of the motorway stretching from Bulgaria to Bartın and from Georgia to Sinop via Rize-Trabzon is a source of disappointment for the region's inhabitants. The perception of the region as neglected will be eliminated.

The endless narrow coastal road will be replaced by a route that provides rapid access, boosting economic vitality, particularly in tourism.

It will lay the groundwork for the new high-speed rail lines to be constructed.

2. Water Management, Basin Protection and the ‘Western Black Sea Lakes Region’ Vision

The region has been in the news for years due to flood disasters. However, with the proper planning of high basins:

2.1. Flood Prevention and Water Management

• The risk of flooding can be significantly reduced by constructing multi-purpose ponds and dams at high elevations.
• The sudden flooding character of rivers is balanced horizontally.

2.2. ‘Lakes Region’ Approach

With this water management strategy, the Western Black Sea can:

• Increase clean and fresh water reserves,
• Ensure the future drinking and domestic water supply security of megacities such as Istanbul and Ankara,
• Create new economic sectors in ecotourism, water sports, lakeside housing and recreation areas.
• It encourages reverse migration, bringing young people to the region and reversing the decline in Turkey's population, triggering the country's population to exceed the 100 million mark.

This vision will transform the Western Black Sea from a ‘flood zone’ into Turkey's new Lakes Region.

3. Declaring the Entire Western Black Sea Region a ‘Tourism Region’

The region possesses Turkey's richest:

• forest resources,
• coastline,
• canyons,
• highlands,
• gastronomy,
• and historical industrial heritage (Zonguldak coal basin, Karabük iron and steel, etc.).

Therefore, declaring the entire Western Black Sea a Tourism Region will exponentially increase regional promotion, integrated destination management, and investment attraction capabilities.

Furthermore, this step will prevent capital monopolisation and polluting industries. This approach, which shares wealth with the local community, is an important method of conservation through experience.

4. Turkey's New ‘Silicon Valley’: Tek-Batı Valley

The region is ideal for technology investments due to its low population density, high quality of life, and proximity to Istanbul and Ankara.

It is recommended that the ‘Western Black Sea Technology and Innovation Valley (Tech-West Valley)’ be established:

• Technical infrastructure with Kastamonu, Karabük and Bolu universities,
• Relatively low land prices and large production areas,
• The advantage of 1–2 hour access to Istanbul and Ankara,
• The potential for the return of diaspora human resources

It will create a centre that offers low costs but high quality of life for technology companies. This vision is fully in line with Turkey's goal of becoming the ‘new Silicon Valley’.

5. Agricultural Reform: Special Legal Regulation for Chestnuts and Aromatic Plants

The protective regulations, support mechanisms, and market stabilisation tools implemented for hazelnuts and tea in Turkey should also be applied to aromatic plants and chestnuts. Because:

• Turkey has a growing share in the global chestnut market.
• Western Black Sea chestnuts (especially Küre, Devrek, Şenpazar-Cide, Pınarbaşı, İhsangazi, Bartın, Zonguldak) are high-end products due to their high aroma and long shelf life.
• Chestnut honey and chestnut by-products (flour, sugar, cosmetics) provide high added value.
• The Western Black Sea is a paradise of aromatic plants. It has a similar effect on honey.

Therefore, the enactment of the ‘Chestnut and Aromatic Plants Strategic Product Law’ should be one of the fundamental principles of BAKAP.

6. Brand Creation and High Value-Added Production

BAKAP should adopt a new production paradigm based on branding that will break the region's low added value spiral.

Recommended focus areas:

• Chemistry and energy technologies around Filyos Natural Gas,
• Carbon materials based on Zonguldak Coal,
• Advanced metal technologies with Kastamonu-Küre Copper,
• Bolu and Kastamonu Forest Products with certified wood and sustainable furniture–design products,
• Geographically indicated product brands (İhsangazi Siyez, Devrek Bastonu, Sinop Mantısı, Kastamonu Pastırması, Bartın Tel Kırma, etc.).
• Kastamonu Döner and Pastırma, Kuyu Kebab and Banduma, Kabalak Dolma and Ispıt Kavurma, among other gastronomic delights.
• Western Black Sea Technology and Innovation Valley high-tech investments.

This approach could transform the region into Turkey's strongest exporting region.

7. Conclusion: BAKAP Could Be Turkey's New Regional Locomotive

Western Black Sea:

• its natural resources,
• strong university structure,
• diaspora capacity,
• logistical location advantage,
• clean water reserves and forest assets
• Silicon Valley investments,
• YHT catalysis,

make it a candidate for ‘new strategic region’ in Turkey's development vision.

BAKAP's comprehensive scope, as outlined above, could transform the region into not only the Black Sea's but also Turkey's second major development hub.

WESTERN BLACK SEA DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (BAKI) MODEL PROPOSAL

The Western Black Sea Region, which includes the provinces of Düzce, Bolu, Zonguldak, Bartın, Karabük, Kastamonu, Sinop, Çorum and Çankırı, will be limited to seven provinces as Çorum is included in the DOKAP boundaries. However, its main areas of interaction are Istanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya and Ankara. It has the capacity to directly affect 11 provinces.

• Filyos Natural Gas
• Zonguldak coal
• Küre copper
• Karabük iron and steel
• Bolu–Kastamonu forest resources
• Settlement areas with low earthquake risk
• Double high-speed train demand
• A production vision similar to Switzerland's,
• Silicon Valley investments,
• Clean water reserves stored in lakes,
• A maritime presence opening up to the world,
• The potential to become Turkey's energy, mining, and forest integration centre—these resources make it the only region deserving of a new regional development administration. The absence of a single major city in the region is, in itself, a sufficient warning.

THE REGION'S FAILURE TO ESTABLISH BAKI TO DATE IS A MAJOR LOSS AND NEGLECT.

All public institutions and organisations, NGOs, and all private and legal actors in the region bear a historical burden. This should not become a liability. On the contrary, it is time to leave a pleasant echo in this dome that remains BAKI.

TABLE 1: EXISTING REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATIONS

Administration

Established

Region / Provinces

2024 Budget (Approximate)

Notable Contribution

GAP BKİ

1989 (388 KHK)

Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak

Multi-year large-scale projects worth hundreds of millions

Infrastructure, irrigation, social projects

DOKAP BKİ

2011 (642 KHK)

Amasya, Artvin, Bayburt, Çorum, Giresun, Gümüşhane, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, Tokat, Trabzon

≈ 675.6 million TL

Tourism, agriculture, rural development

KOP BKİ

2011 (642 KHK)

Konya-centred regional provinces

≈ 439 million TL; 2024–2028: 350.7 billion TL investment target

Water management, irrigation, agricultural modernisation

DAP BKİ

2011 (642 KHK)

Ağrı, Ardahan, Bingöl, Bitlis, Elâzığ, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hakkâri, Iğdır, Kars, Muş, Tunceli

≈ 238 million TL

Infrastructure, social and agricultural projects

References

DOKAP Regional Development Administration. (2024). 2024 Programme and Budget Report.

GAP Regional Development Administration. (2023). GAP Action Plan 2019–2023 Monitoring Report.

KOP Regional Development Administration. (2024). KOP 2024–2028 Regional Development Plan.

Ministry of Industry and Technology. (2024). Regional Development Policies Report.

Strasam. (2024). Ateş, S. ‘The Century-Long Inequality of the Western Black Sea and the New Era: Structural Development Model.’