Transportation networks of Turkey - geographical analysis of interactions between natural environments

Transportation changes the geographical view (landscape) of a natural environment, contributing functionality to that environment. In this context, transportation plays a critical role in geographical studies as a force shaping the space. Transportation is an extensive term that encompasses transportation industries, vehicles and transportation structures. This study attempted to analyze transportation systems across Turkey without any distinction between industries. Providing examples from Turkey for hypotheses put forward at the scale of transportation industry, an effort was exerted to test the accuracy of these hypotheses. The natural structure offered by Turkey is the key component influential in the development of transportation systems and the selection of locations. Therefore, the features of a natural environment induced by relief, topography, slope, elevation, geomorphological units, geological structure and climatic geomorphology determine transportation industries. These road networks suited to a topography are called 'natural roads'. The roads in Anatolia followed these routes for many years and played a critical role in shaping settlements, populations and economic structures. Today, however, structures are created, which perforate, cut or raise topography under the effect of technology and capital. The thesis will frequently deal with this transformation. The development of Turkish transportation networks includes a number of milestones or breaking points. These breaking points may be described by the structure of national economy and various intended policies. The breaking points across the industry are 1950 (Hilts Report), 1980 (highway period) and post-2003 (divided highway period) for roads; 1923-1950 (railway-dominated period) and post-2009 (HST projects) for railways; 1993 (liberalization policy) and 2013 (full liberalization policy) for airway; and logistics central practices for seaway. Today, transportation networks are shaped by the effect of technology and capital. Therefore, the periods of 'adaptation', 'modification' and 'reconstruction' may be considered in terms of transportation in Turkey. During the adaptation period, the road systems which are parallel (east-west) to natural road routes were developed. Road, railway, seaway and inland water transportation during this period may be deemed as initial transportation networks in their own industries. During the modification period, more functional transportation networks were developed as a result of minor interventions in natural road routes. The transportation networks within the reconstruction period, reflecting our modern times, are unsuited to topography, resulting in the formation of new topographies and displaying a creative destruction. A number of mega projects on Turkish transportation networks were put on the agenda within this period. Marmaray, Channel Istanbul, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Çanakkale Bridge, Ovit Tunnel, Vauk Tunnel and 3rd Airport are transportation structures that reflect the recent period. A good planning is entailed by the introduction of close and remote targets (such as 2023, 2035) for Turkish transportation. If plans are made in consideration of national facts, the structures aligned with national interests will be developed. Functional transportation structures should be developed, considering the facts 'Turkey is not an oil-rich country', 'Turkey is a trans-country', 'Turkey is a country with a huge hinterland' etc. Using fast railway lines - a more sustainable and advantageous transportation industry, the construction of transnational, national or regional networks is of great importance to Turkish transportation. Turkey will have achieved a more economical and reliable transportation network with fast railway lines proposed at the end of this study.