Nation state formation as a spatial project
Izmir in the early 20th century
The Great Fire in 1922 Destroyed Levantine-Frank, Greek and Armenian quarters Eradication of Ottoman spaces and the creation of national spaces in their stead Spaces for showcasing national symbols: the Republic square, Kültürpark
Kültürpark: The Promise of the New City Five Gates: 26 Ağustos, 9 Eylül, Lozan, Montrö and Cumhuriyet Pavilions of state owned enterprises Entertainment and sport facilities Museums Transforming an area of rubble, danger and disorder into clean, safe and orderly place
Old vs. New Istanbul vs. Ankara Istanbul: the imperial and dynastic traditions, the cosmopolitan contamination, and decadence Ankara: purity, moral superiority, and idealism Ankara: the hearth of the nation, one body one hearth
İstanbul “The average visitor who had spent a few days rushing from Hagia Sophia to the Great Walls and quickly around the old Hippodrome goes home to tell the folks about Turkey. He is no better equipped than the stay-at-homes who get their ideas out of novels about the sultans. For in Istanbul he has probably eaten Russian food, got his views on the government from a Greek porter, been guided by an Armenian courier, and concentrated exclusively on the relics of a past now intentionally forgotten by the average Turk, who looks ahead to better days. He who really wants to know the Turkey of today and tomorrow should take the first train for Ankara.”
ANKARA MARŞI Ankara Ankara Güzel Ankara Seni görmek ister her bahtı kara Senden yardım umar her düşen dara Yetersin onlara güzel Ankara Burcuna göz diken dik başlar insin Türk gücü orada her zoru yensin Yoktan var edilmiş ilk şehir sensin Varolsun toprağın taşın Ankara
Making Capital “out of nothing”