Forced migration not only entails the search for a new place of residence but also compels migrants to produce spaces in which they reconstruct their identities, cultural belongings, and social networks. In this regard, space emerges as a decisive dimension in migrants’ participation in urban life and in processes of social cohesion, playing a critical role in the reconstruction of identity and belonging (Lefebvre, 1991; Massey, 2005). This study examines the practices of spatial production and appropriation among Syrians residing in Altındağ, Ankara, and analyzes how these practices influence social cohesion, spatial encounters, and the dynamics of coexistence with the local population. Particular attention is given to the ways in which commercial, cultural, and religious spaces established by Syrians function in reinforcing urban belonging and strengthening solidarity practices. The research adopts an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach. In the quantitative phase, surveys with 170 Syrian individuals provided measurable data on spatial practices, feelings of belonging, and levels of social cohesion. In the qualitative phase, 50 semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations, and document analysis of municipal reports and strategic plans were conducted. This methodological design enabled a multilayered evaluation of both Syrians’ everyday spatial experiences and local actors’ perceptions of cohesion. Findings reveal that Syrians anchor themselves in the city through everyday spatial practices, make their identities visible, and develop strong forms of cohesion and belonging at the neighborhood scale. However, increasing social tensions, security concerns, exclusionary discourses, and urban renewal projects complicate and undermine their spatial integration. The study demonstrates that urban spaces serve not merely as sites of shelter but as critical arenas where identity expression, belonging, and social cohesion are continuously redefined. Ultimately, the research argues that dignified, just, and sustainable coexistence requires the recognition of Syrians as urban actors and the support of the spaces they produce. Developing inclusive, participatory, and rights-based urban policies is thus essential for ensuring spatial justice and fostering peaceful shared living for both Syrians and the local communities..

This study aims to quantitatively investigate the formal differences in traditional residential façades of two communities—Turkish and Jewish—who, while sharing the same geographical context, possess distinct cultural and religious backgrounds. The research is premised on the assumption that architectural façades constitute not merely physical surfaces, but also tangible manifestations of social identities, cultural values, and modes of life. Four principal parametric criteria were employed in the analysis: fractal dimension, solid–void ratio, aperture ratio, and degree of symmetry. The sample comprises twenty traditional dwellings, selected from the historic Jewish and Turkish quarters of Ankara, which have preserved their architectural authenticity. Visual data were processed using ImageJ software; the FracLac plugin was applied for fractal analysis, while thresholding and computational tools were employed for symmetry and void ratio analyses. The resulting data were subjected to statistical evaluation in SPSS. Findings indicate that Jewish houses exhibit higher fractal dimensions and aperture ratios, whereas Turkish houses display more symmetrical and privacy-oriented façade configurations. These differences are directly correlated with culturally grounded formal preferences informed by normative values and lifestyle practices. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that fractal analysis and parametric methodologies provide effective tools for the quantitative identification of cultural architectural distinctions, offering a scientific foundation for conservation and reconstruction processes.

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between the digital reproduction of Ankara Apartmanları on Instagram and their position within architectural discourse, architectural heritage, and urban memory. These apartment buildings, part of Ankara’s modernization process, are reinterpreted aesthetically and culturally by Instagram users, extending their presence beyond the physical realm into digital space. Adopting a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative content analysis with social network analysis, the research aims to examine how Ankara Apartmanları are reproduced, circulated, and recontextualized on Instagram. First, the study analyzes the dynamics of their reproduction on Instagram; second, it maps the relational ecosystem surrounding these accounts to reveal the broader structure of digital engagement with Ankara’s architectural heritage. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that digitalization poses both opportunities and limitations for the perception and reproduction of architecture; by discussing the potential of social media platforms like Instagram to support more inclusive and sustainable approaches to modern architectural heritage through responsible use and academic collaboration.

This study aims to examine the administrative, socio-economic, and demographic structure of the city of Ankara within the context of provincial governance in the late 19th century Ottoman Empire. The primary source of the research is the Ankara Province Report (Vilayet Lâyihası) dated 1880. Conducted using the historical document analysis method, one of the qualitative research techniques, the study provides a detailed assessment of Ankara’s administrative organization, population structure, economic activities, educational institutions, transportation infrastructure, and security conditions. The findings of the study indicate that although Ankara held a significant position among the provincial cities of the Ottoman Empire, it suffered from substantial deficiencies in infrastructure and public services. The Vilayet Lâyihası particularly emphasizes the inadequacy of transportation infrastructure, noting that the absence of macadam roads and railway projects severely limited commercial activity. In the field of education, the report highlights the necessity of increasing the number of rüşdiye (secondary) schools and promoting the establishment of sıbyan (primary) schools in rural areas. From a security perspective, the document draws attention to the growing incidence of banditry in rural areas and the insufficiency of the gendarmerie organization in addressing these issues. Demographically, Ankara is depicted as a multi-ethnic city inhabited by both Muslim and non-Muslim communities, with the latter playing a prominent role in commercial life. Economically, agriculture, animal husbandry, and trade constituted the main sources of livelihood; however, the lack of adequate infrastructure is identified as a major constraint on economic development. In conclusion, although Ankara was an important center among Ottoman provincial cities, it could not complete its full development due to deficiencies in infrastructure and public services. The Ottoman administration attempted various reforms to ensure the economic and social development of the city, but faced various obstacles in this process due to territorial and financial constraints. In this context, the Ankara Provincial Report (Lâyiha) is an important document on the reform process of the Ottoman provincial administration.

Nowadays,local cuisines have become an important marketing tool in cities’ identity-creation efforts. Within this context, the promotion, preservation, and marketing of Ankara’s local culinary heritage hold strategic importance.. The primary aim of this study is to explore how Ankara’s local cuisine is promoted and to what extent it is marketed, as well as to identify the challenges encountered in this process. The research seeks to understand how elements of local cuisine are conceptualized as cultural heritage and how they are integrated into marketing strategies. The sample group consists of individuals employed in local administrations in Ankara who are experienced in gastronomy and promotion. The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews as the main data collection method. Data were collected through audio-recorded interviews conducted between January and February 2025, during which participants responded to the research questions. A purposive sampling method was adopted, focusing on participants who could contribute the most relevant and in-depth insights. The study used the phenomenological design the voice recordings were transcribed and coded. These codes were collected under categories and themes with unquestionable semantic integrity and analyzed. The data obtained were examined under four themes: Ankara and local products, strategy and institutional capacity, culture and heritage and promotion. As a result of the study, it was determined that despite Ankara’s rich local culture, promotional activities remain limited; local governments had deficiencies in strategic planning and promotion; migration and urbanization problems, culinary heritage was weakened by cultural transitionsve social media and digital platforms were not used effectively. Accordingly, it is suggested that local administrations in Ankara should adopt a more proactive approach to preserving and promoting culinary culture through digital media, festivals, gastronomic routes, and education-based initiatives.

In 25 BC, Amyntas the king of Galatians bequathed his kingdom to the Roman Empire. Galatia became the new province of the Roman Empire and Ancyra served as the capital. Situated at the crossroads of major routes, Ankyra soon developed into an important logistical center behind the eastern frontier and played a crucial role in the empire’s frontier policies. This transformation led to increased military activity in the region, as evidenced by the discovery of soldiers’ grave steles and statuettes. In this context, the relief of a male figure on the front of a lion statuette provides further evidence of the military presence. The lion is depicted seated on its haunches with its forelegs extended, while between its forelegs stands a male figure wearing a pteryges around his waist. The closest parallels to this lion statuette are found in the Konya Archaeological Museum. In addition to similar seated lion statuettes, the Çumra sarcophagus in the same museum and several tomb steles discovered in Ankara’s Haymana district display comparable workmanship. This study aims to conduct a typological and stylistic comparison of these works. Although the precise find spot of the statuette remains unknown, based on the Haymana examples it is suggested that the piece may have originated from Late Roman rural settlements in and around the present-day Haymana district. Consequently, it is also proposed that the lion statuette now exhibited in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations can be dated to the late 3rd - early 4th century AD.

From the War of Independence to the 1930s, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk resided at the Ankara Agricultural School, the Direksiyon Building within the railway station area and the Bağ Evi (Vineyard House) in Çankaya. Due to his ever-increasing workload and administrative as well as domestic responsibilities, the need for a residence that “housed” the Republic and its ideologies naturally arose over time. Clemens Holzmeister, the chief architect of Ankara’s Ministries District (Vekaletler Mahallesi), was also the architect selected to design Atatürk’s Presidential Residence. Holzmeister approached the desired “Presidential Residence” typology in a holistic manner, considering the transition of urban planning from “Old Ankara” to the “new capital” and aligning it with the architectural language of government buildings. Holzmeister’s spatial problem-solving methods in designing Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s private residence can be seen as an extension of the representation of the Republic of Türkiye. This study evaluates Atatürk’s ideas of modernization and Westernization within the framework of “ideal” (interior) spaces, examining the interventions made by Holzmeister and his team of Austrian craftsmen in the residence’s interiors in the context of Westernization and the legacy of the Republic. Consequently, Atatürk’s Presidential Residence is presented as a significant element of Ankara’s modern architectural production, itself a pure representation of the Republic.