Historic Roads of Anatolia and a Greenway Planning Potential for Ankara

Anatolia ‘The Cradle of Civilizations’ is one of the busiest cultural bridges of the world. As a result of its long history and geophysical conditions, the land has been weaved with a network of roads over the millennia. From the Hittites to Ancient Greek and the Roman Empire until the Seljuk and finally the Ottomans, all civilizations were aware of the fact that the roads constituted the best assets of the land that they ruled. Although, the roads were being inherited from one civilization to another they were always well maintained, improved and protected by the ruling class of said civilizations. The routes were equipped by various facilities such as bridges, inns, caravansaries, wells and fountains etc. Although, some of these historic roads deteriorated, ultimately losing their importance today and some of them were paved over and developed to serve as modern highways, all are excellent examples of ‘Greenways of the Global Ancient World’ due to their politically and geographically strategic courses and locations. Emerged from the ancient settlements of Ancyra and Angora, Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey, is situated in the middle of Anatolia. The ancient city center resides at the junction of valleys and waterways whereas the modern city sprawls along the valleys and banks. Regionally, Ankara has always been an important hub thanks to its strategic importance as the crossroads of ancient roads. Ankara offers unique opportunities for greenway planning applications on both local and regional scales. These corridors present natural, cultural, historic and ecological opportunities for multiple greenway planning projects. This study aims to explore characteristic elements of historic, cultural and economic resources of the Metropolitan Ankara region for greenway planning potential. The road building policy of the current government can be improved and be better facilitated by greenway planning principles in order to utilize their full potential. Meanwhile, extension of historic routes of Asia Minor through the city would provide strong motivation in preserving the last remaining greenway corridors of the greater Ankara region