AN INVENTORY STUDY FOR THE CINEMA AND THEATRE SPACES in ANKARA

Abstract

Theatre and cinema buildings have been significant recreation, entertainment and cultural activities of daily modern life. Many theatre and cinema halls that were constructed in Turkey in 20th century, reflect the life style and the design approaches of the period. With transformation of cities, urban policies, changing cultural and entertainment habits, many of them have lost their function, are away from attention, face maintenance problems and under danger of destruction. 
 Ankara stands out as an important case, where urbanization and cultural politics can be read together over 200 theatre and cinema spaces through 1920’s till up to present day. These spaces had continued their functions for a period and gained a significant place in the memory of citizens. Unfortunately, many of the buildings are already demolished or changed in function. The vast majority of these structures are not known even by experts.
 In sources, it is possible to find partial information in various content about these spaces created by different disciplines. However, there is no study that systematically brings together the data about these buildings. To fill the gap in the literature, this study aims to prepare an inventory including basic knowledge like a catalogue about these theatre and cinema spaces, by combining data from literature research, fieldwork and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality archive. In this study a general assessment is also made by using the data collected in inventory, considering important economic, cultural and urbanization policies that shape the emergence of these spaces.