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 Whose city?
I am not from Ankara. I come from a particular big, big city in Turkey and when I tell people the name of that city, they all get surprised, sometimes even furious, and ask me why in the world I ended up in Ankara when I could've enjoyed all the opportunities of my hometown. I tell them it was my choice. I go one step further and tell them that I like it here, which results in them pitying me. But I do, I like living in Ankara. I like not having to deal with the traffic. I like the old, elegant parts of town. I like the modest buildings and (can you believe it?) modest people. I like how peaceful it can get.
However, to be honest, my love for this city is not of the blind kind. Keeping in mind that it is the capital of a big and (self-claimed) modern country, I hold my standards high and am not afraid to speak out when I know that something is missing, or something is disturbingly ugly. I think everyone would agree with me here: Ankara is in terrible need of "other" things.
It is voting time to select municipal leaders and other local administrations in Turkey in less than two weeks. Some of us will go home to vote, others will use their democratic rights here in Ankara, and then some others will use their right not to vote, which, I believe, is alright, as long as one is brave enough to face the consequences. But how much will voting solve the problems I will soon mention? No, I am not going to act out a Bilkent episode of Genç Bakış or any other of the hot debates taking place on TV every night. I am not going to mention any candidates or political parties either. The issues lie deeper than individuals or political organizations here, and I don't believe solutions will be offered in the short term
Then let me tell you my “imagined” Ankara: It would, for a start, have museums and galleries, those devoted to contemporary art, to private collections, to provoking exhibitions. It would have gotten rid of the mean taxi drivers, and all other vehicle users who find it entertaining to switch traffic lanes every 30 seconds without the proper signals. It wouldn't be scary anymore for a woman to walk alone in Kızılay, supposedly the heart of the city, at 8 p.m. The residents would have more recreational areas (just like the beautiful Kuğulu Park) instead of more malls. And the name Ankara would evoke in minds the image of a graceful, melancholic, quiet capital (just like the way it was planned to be).
To repeat what I have said above, I have no hopes for the near future on any of these utopian ideals coming true. The greatest mission falls on us, the residents of Ankara, who live in and use the city. It shouldn't be forgotten that a true, lively, beautiful urban spirit comes alive not only through historic importance, but also through a simple system of supply and demand. In other words, a city is what its residents want it to be and who its residents are. Therefore, the Ankara I dream of should be, ultimately, one shaped by the wishes and choices of its many university students - those who bring intellect and youth together.
PS. My congratulations go out to my dear fellow debaters Önercan Kılıç and Denizhan Kılıç for their achievements at the Süleyman Demirel University Debating Tournament.
Damla Okay(AMER/IV)
d_okay@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
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