Constructing Legitimacy on Social Media: Public Perceptions of Urban Planning in the Context of the 2023 Earthquakes

Abstract

The earthquakes that struck T & uuml;rkiye on February 6, 2023, revealed the structural weaknesses of municipal institutions and significantly affected the legitimacy and visibility of urban planning. While often regarded as a technical discipline, this study positions urban planning as a key policy actor within broader land governance frameworks. Using qualitative content analysis of 1,000 geo-referenced tweets shared immediately after the disaster, the research examined perceptions of planning efficacy, responsibility, and institutional trust. Findings indicate that the profession experiences a brief but intense surge in visibility during crises, primarily shaped by dissatisfaction, accusations, and demands for accountability. The analysis also highlights role strain, planners' perceived powerlessness under political pressure, and public calls for justice, which reinforced a widespread sense of a governance gap. Regional differences were notable: in provinces such as Hatay and Ad & imath;yaman, emotional intensity and loss of trust dominated, while in Ankara and Istanbul, discourse centered on structural reform. Social media emerged not only as a forum for critique but also as a platform for democratic participation, with strong demands for parliamentary representation of planners and technical veto powers. These findings underscore the dual function of social media as a space for real-time feedback and institutional accountability. In conclusion, transparency, accountability, and participation are critical to rebuilding planning's legitimacy in the post-disaster context. Consistent with the findings, the article underscores that public perceptions of urban planning play a decisive role in shaping the legitimacy of the profession, while transparency emerges as a central mechanism for ensur-ing institutional accountability.