Analysis of station buildings in the terms of public place and collective memory and their transformation into high speed train stations

The railway investments in Anatolia, which had begun in 1856 with the construction of the first railway, came to a stall in 1950s because of the national strategies. This period of stagnation period ended with Turkey's candidacy to the European Union (EU) in 1999. In 2003, the EU put forward strengthening of Turkey's railway system as a precondition for membership, which instigated a new surge of investments. Despite the investments within the last decade, 50 years of stagnation led to a substantial lack of development in Turkey's railway architecture. While railways are considered as a sign of development for countries, the stations are monumental entries to the cities and comprise of the most important urban public places. In Turkey, Haydarpaşa, Ankara and Edirne-Karaağaç Stations are first stations that come to mind. Moreover, not only Haydarpaşa and Ankara stations are public places but they also have strong resonance in collective memory. Nevertheless, with the instalment of new railway projects, they face the threat of losing their function. This thesis focuses on two historic railway stations in Britain, King's Cross and St. Pancras, which have gone through a similar process to that of Ankara and Haydarpaşa stations but were modernized to become high speed railway stations. These stations are analysed with respect to their function as public places and role in collective memory. In comparison to them, Edirne-Karaağaç Station, which is currently used as Rector's Office is also analysed. As such, advisory conclusions have been made as to the future of Ankara and Haydarpaşa Stations.