Transforming Public Space into Authority-Controlled Space: A Case Study on the Ministries Triangle in Ankara, Türkiye

Abstract

This paper examines the transformation of the Ministries Triangle in Ankara, Türkiye, from an open and pedestrian-oriented civic space into a restricted and authority-controlled urban environment. Drawing on theories of borders, spatial control, and power developed by authors including Foucault, Benjamin, Norberg-Schulz, Diener and Hagen, the study investigates how planning decisions and architectural interventions have altered accessibility, permeability, and public engagement within the district. The research combines a literature review of Ankara’s early planning history, comparative analysis of development plans, archival photographs, satellite imagery, and field observations conducted in 2024. The analysis traces the evolution of the area from the Lörcher Plan of 1924 through subsequent interventions by Jansen, Holzmeister, and later planning schemes up to 2025. Findings show that originally continuous pedestrian spaces, public plazas, and green areas were progressively fragmented by road infrastructure, subway construction, security measures, fences, checkpoints, and restricted-access zones. As a result, the Ministries Triangle has shifted from a publicly accessible civic axis into a highly regulated landscape where movement is controlled and public interaction with state institutions is limited. The study argues that spatial boundaries originally intended to organise and protect urban functions have been transformed into mechanisms of exclusion and control, demonstrating how planning and governance decisions can reshape accessibility, functionality, mobility, and the relationship between citizens and the state.