Leisure Spaces of Pre-Republican Ankara During the Late Ottoman Period

Abstract

This research explores urban space and the leisure geography in pre-republican Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, during the late period of the former Ottoman Empire. While the epoch between 1919 and 1923 corresponds to the last years of the fallen Ottoman Empire, it also overlaps with the time interval the city witnessed the National Independence War as a central stronghold and a democratic political center. Soon after the victory of the Independence War, the new Turkish Republic was founded as a modern state, and Ankara was declared the capital city. In particular, this research explores 'socio-spatial dialectics' about leisure activities and urban space. It posits that leisure activities shape urban spaces and are influenced by their contextual environment, including economic, cultural, historical, and social factors. The study examines the historical significance of recreational spaces, which were often absent or underdeveloped in Ankara due to economic decline and urban destruction, particularly after the 1917 fire. It highlights the lack of designated recreational spaces in pre-republican Ankara, where social gatherings occurred primarily in open public spaces and informal settings. The emergence of specific leisure venues, such as coffee shops, theatres, and parks, is traced through historical narratives, showing how leisure preferences evolved alongside the city's geography and socio-economic changes. The paper concludes that the development of recreational spaces in Ankara was gradual and reflected broader socio-cultural dynamics, particularly as the city transitioned into a modern urban center by the start of the 1920s. This research aimed to inform and help understand the limited landscape devoted to leisure in Ankara in the pre-republican era, which was core to understanding the leisure geography in the capital city of the young Turkish Republic. The analysis provides insights into the reciprocal relationship between leisure activities and urban space and highlights the importance of historical context in shaping recreational landscapes. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.