Refunctioning of cultural heritage fields in the context of collective memory: Haydarpasa example

Cities being dynamical structures are subject to a continuous change and transformation due to physical, economical and social needs that are changing over the time. Especially in recent years, the changing production methods, fast growing population and accomodation needs triggered by it, lack of urban infrastructure and change in the social-economical structure and failure of the existing ruban areas to meet the contemporary needs, are raising the need for an urban transformation. As a result of these changes, industrial areas have become the focus of the projects. The concept of "cultural heritage" has started to be minded as the urban transformation that took place after the industrial revolution started to destroy the urban identity. Afterwards, the Europe pioneered the emergence of the concept of "industrial cultural heritage", drew attention to the preoccupation of industrial structures / areas in terms of cultural identity. These historical areas are the expression of accumulations according to their reflection of culture, economic and social structures in the past. Thus, protection studies for such areas have been started. For industrial areas, Wehdorn's three types of conservation approaches are addressed: continuity of original function, protection with stoppage of production and refunctioning. Every industrial heritage area should be thought in their own dynamics, physical situations, functional conditions and social characteristics. When these factors are considered in projects, conservation approaches can be successful. Train stations and railways are important industrial heritage sites that have a significant place in the development of cities, reflecting the technology and social lifestyles of the era when they were made. It is important that these areas; which have historical value with their important places in city identity and social memory; shall be passed down to future generations. In this context, the "Re-Functioning" approach to train stations and railways and the effect of this approach on urban identity and social memory are the main framework of the study. Within the scope of this study, questions of "what is the meaning train stations and train lines bear for the collective memory and how can they be integrated to the city?" by exemplifying different project types from Turkey and all around the World so as to constitute a framework for Haydarpasa Terminal. The High Line Park, Lowline from the United States, Ramla de Sants from Barcelona, Promenade Plantee and Musee d'Orsay from Paris and Leopolda Train Station from Italy are foreign examples given; and from Turkey, examples are refunctioning projects such as Edirne Karaağaç and İzmit Train Stations. The approaches to projects in the world and Turkey are quite different from each other. Whereas re-functioning of historic railway lines is at the forefront in the world; building scale applications are at the forefront in Turkey. Haydarpaşa Terminal having an important place in the memories of the citizens regardless of whether they live in the city has become over the years the symbolic icon of Istanbul, an important part of the collective memory with its history and function. Today Haydarpaşa Terminal, which is no longer functioning as a transport building, is now being used as a touristic place, restaurant and a venue for public activities. When Marmaray Project will be completed by the end of 2018, the Terminal is planned to be integrated into Marmaray Project and resume its function as a transport building. Under the scope of the study, a survey was conducted on different goups of users in order to find out what Haydarpaşa Terminal means in the collective memory and for what purpose the users want this area to be used. According to the result it has been established that Haydarpaşa Terminal as a cultural asset has an important place in the memories of users regardless of whether they live in Istanbul and is regarded as one of the symbols of the city and they are aware of its historical importance. As per the survey, it was concluded that 40 percent of the users would like to see Haydarpaşa Terminal as a city museum whereby 23 percent of the users would be like to see Haydarpaşa Terminal as a station entagrated to the Marmaray. Receiving public opinion before taking decisions in refunctioning projects of spaces and buildings used by the public will help protecting and keeping the urban memory alive. Today, train stations and terminals are physically integrated to cities and social lives of the citizens by preserving their original functions or refunctioning. Terminal buildings reflecting local and universal identities together are important historical focal points as integral parts of city identity. Train lines and buildings whose functions were changed are drastically affecting the city image and identity. When refunctioning is successful, life in industrial areas continues very well with a new fuction. The correct function will be socio-economic, cultural and environmental sustainability is ensured sense. Haydarpaşa Terminal and its surrounding is an important cultural heritage for İstanbul and Turkey as well. According to survey result, refunctioning of Haydarpaşa Terminal is deemed necessary by the different sections of the society. One of the best solutions for this place is to protect and carry its cultural traits to modern day and refunction the Terminal with integrated approach. It is important to consider sea and railway connection of Terminal.