Proposed modalities to preserved Kars railway heritage and the conservation project of Old Powdered Milk Factory

Kars has hosted many communities since prehistoric times. The Ottomans conquered the city in 1534 and started to construction works. The first settlement started to develop circumference of the castle which was constructed by Urartians. After, 1877-78 Ottoman-Russian war, Russians had dominated the region until 1918. Russians established a new city which has a grid plan on the south of the river which is on the around of the castle. Kars, which was a border town between the Ottoman Empire and Russia, was a military qualified garrison town for Russian. The city consisted of the parallel streets and one or two storeys stone buildings were built on these streets by Russians. The other important development was the construction of the railway. The railway line, which was separated from Batumi-Tbilisi-Baku's railway line, was connected to Gyumri, Kars and Yerevan. Construction of the railway began in 1895, was completed in 1899. With railway, culvert, bridge and administrative, technical and accommodation buildings on the stop points was built. Population of the Ottoman city was dropped because of the migration because of Russian administration. The majority of the residences remained empty and lack of maintenance caused destruction. Many of the buildings, which were built by Russians, have continued to be used after changing functions. Both used of the buildings and constructed with the durable basalt stone has provided to reach the buildings until today. However, the new buildings has built on the empty areas on the historical texture and it is observed that most of them to be contrary to historical texture. In the thesis, railway line and Russian architecture which developed on this line and Old Powdered Milk Factory was investigated. The railway which is an important part of industrial heritage and structuring around the railway were evaluated in a urban scale. Together with, structures of The State Railways of the Turkish Republic (TCDD), structures of Turkish Grain Board (TMO) and structures of Republic of General Directorate of Highways (KGM) were analyzed. Not only Russian structures but also structures which were built during Republic period were investigated. The structures were divided into three chapters according to their functions which are administrative, technical and accommodation structures. The registration status of the structures was determined, information about original functions and current functions was complied, inventory for the conservation of cultural property were filled. Besides, plans of the different types of structures were drawn. The other subject of the thesis is Old Powdered Milk Factory. The Factory is located on 196 block, 3 parcel in Yeni quarter of Kars. The area of which ownership belongs to TCDD is approximately 12.000 m2. The factory is located southwest of the parcel and parallel to the railway line. On the same parcel, There is a structure of which ownership belongs to TCDD and is located the east of the parcel. Factory and residence were registered in 2008. The structure, which is known as Powdered Milk Factory by the public, was built in Russian period. It is alleged that that building was built as a railway structure. But, field survey and analogous studies showed that building may be built for military purposes. After the Russians withdrew from the region, it wasn't known building's function but it is understood that the property assigned to TCDD. The structure was started to use as a factory by private sector at 1934. After, a new Milk Factory was opened at 1969 by Dairy Industry Authority, Powdered Milk Factory's production was declined, after a while the production was stopped. The building was empty from 1970's to the present day. So, it has been seriously damaged. Powdered Milk Factory is single storey, T-shaped and masonry building. Fine cut stone was used on facades and facades made of basalt stones. There is no roof but ceiling come until today. It is notable for its quality stone facade decoration program. Building's doors and windows were completely removed, just only iron frames have reached the present day. It has differences about architectural style, material and construction technique among the other Russian buildings. Iron I profiles was used as a beam for wide span windows and window profiles are made of iron. Ceiling was formed from the steel profiles filled with coarse aggregate concrete. One of the rooms of the factory is covered with a vault which was formed from the steel profiles filled with coarse aggregate concrete. After the detailed documentation was made, deteriorations of structure were determined and the causes of deterioration were investigated for the decisions of conservation. Then, restitution project, which was described the original state, was prepared. Traces on the structure, the analogy studies, old photographs related to the structure and oral sources have been developed the restitution project. Following the documentation and analysis studies, conservation modalities were proposed for industrial area and Old Milk Powdered Factory. The modalities of conservation for industrial area and factory were considered under the separate headings. The area which developed near the Kars railway and is in the field of study, is recommended as a historic industrial sites. After the area is registered as a protected area, new construction in the field will be taken under control and the area will be protected in integrity. New projects related to the Kars railway were taken in consideration when recommendations were developed for protection. One of these projects is high speed train project between Kars and Ankara. Although it will take a long time to be completed, when it is finished, it will make an important contribution to the city. The other important project is Tbilisi-Gyumri-Kars railway project. It is referred as a 'Iron Silk Road' and with this project, it is aimed to establish a connection between China and Europe. This project will be completed near future. After that, it is expected to revive the railway line. With these projects, railway line will be used effectively both passengers and freight transport. With the development of the line, it is foreseen that unused buildings will be used for some functions. It is likely to increase the need for the accommodation and administrative buildings. Plans and structural characteristic of the studied Russian period structures are suitable for accommodation and administrative functions. So they can use for these usage. If the city will be a logistics center, storage structures will be needed. Therefore, it is expected that new buildings will be built in this area. But, there is no empty area. Some storage was built on some empty areas of which ownership belongs to TCDD by transportation firms. If the new buildings are built, it is recommended to be done in these areas. In addition to this, it is expected that TMO and KGM's buildings are used for the current function in the future. After detailed documentations of the factory, interventions methods were defined and restoration project was prepared. A new function is given to the structure for the conservation of the structure. It is considered that there will be at least intervention when it is chosen a function for the building. TCDD hasn't done anything for conservation and giving a new function for 40 years. There is no plan and TCDD hasn't a idea for the structure. So, it has provided a freedom in making a new function. So 'City Museum' function is suitable for the structure because of the location and takes place in a remote location from the other TCDD's buildings, urban scale decisions and requirements of the city. The history of the city, Milk Powdered Factory and its operation, history and development of the railway, social history will be presented with the visual and some videos at the museum. Additionally, it is recommended that 12 decare parcel will be proposed 'City Park' after the landscape designs. The other building on the parcel, of which ownership belongs to TCDD, is suggested as a part of the museum. 'City Museum' and 'City Park' functions will provide the area which people don't come a lot will be visited by public and revitalization. The proposal modalities developed in urban scale and Old Powdered Milk Factory were evaluated in integrity. With industrial sites sensitivity, proposals modalities which are respectful to history are developed. Conservations of buildings which are showed architecture and industry of Russian period is important for reflecting the historical identity and carrying to the future.