This thesis attempts to construct a cross-section of governance with a critical viewpoint and an interdisciplinary approach, with a focus to planning. Governance is discussed by underlining the diversity of the underlying processes in social sciences, regarding various recent and important aspects of theoretical and conceptual discussions and subsequently rendering them measurable within the framework of the planning agenda. This thesis constitutes an effort in planning whereby the common denominator focuses on the characteristics and implementations of &lsquo / communicative&rsquo / , &lsquo / multi-actor&rsquo / , &lsquo / good&rsquo / and &lsquo / participatory governance&rsquo / within the planning domain. Attempt has been made to evaluate the changing nature of the state-society interaction in Turkey, the transformation processes induced by social and economic restructuring and the democratization movements with respect to the implementation of governance mechanisms and principles. The main themes of the governance agenda in Turkey, the sources of the governance debate and its legitimacy have been set forth for discussion. Attempt has been made to investigate governance as a critical instrument and from a process management perspective within the context of planning and public administration. This investigation has been conducted in view of the theoretical and of the conceptual discussions related to governance, within a comparative framework, with special reference to the K&ouml / ykent approach and the rural development literature.

In this thesis properties of the G&ouml / del spacetime are analyzed and it is explicitly shown that there exist closed timelike curves in this spacetime. Geodesic motions for massive particles and light rays are investigated. One observes the focusing effect as a result of the solution of the geodesic equations. The time it takes for a free particle released from a point to come back to its starting point is calculated. A geometrical interpretation of the G&ouml / del spacetime is given and the question of what the G&ouml / del spacetime looks like is answered.

The aim of this study was developing an energy benchmarking method for urban quarters in order to design or manage the energy efficiently at urban scale. Rational implementation of energy efficiency strategies for the urban settlements can be possible with the comprehensive building stock models which have the ability to estimate and evaluate the energy demand of the building stock together with surrounding urban structures. The research initially focused to determine the factors which have an influence on the urban energy performance and rating, labeling, benchmarking systems used for evaluation of the energy performance. The field of study has narrow down to residential urban quarters which is approximately 70 % of the building stock. It has been considered surrounding attributes, building properties and occupant behavior. The results of the measurements from casestudy area were evaluated with regresional analysis in order to understand which factors have influence on energy performance. Artificial representative residential settlements were configured in that some of the factors were not possible to consider or evaluate with casestudy data. These representative residential settlements were evaluated with EnergyPlus simulation program and the results were compared with each other for forming a benchmarking method. The simulation results shows that density of the area and building envelope properties have significant effect on the urban energy performance. In order to use these benchmarking results, simulations were applied to the web tool. This urban energy benchmarking method provide the quantified energy performance of the different settlement types for urban designers and urban energy planners enabling them to estimate the urban energy requirement without socio economic context.

Obsidian has been a center of interest both for geologists and archaeologists. Geologists have studied on physical and chemical properties of obsidian where archaeologists have worked on this material as a common artifact found in excavations. In this study, obsidian samples from &Ccedil / atalh&ouml / y&uuml / k excavations are examined using their rare earth element (REE) concentrations. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) have been used for this purpose. A mixture (4:1) of lithium metaborate and lithium tetraborate was used for fusion of samples. Because of the low concentrations of REEs, a preconcentration step is needed. Successful recovery results have been achieved with Amberlite IR-120. The developed method is tested using the standard reference material SARM-1.

The thesis aims to study the development of late 19th and early 20th century domestic architecture in B&uuml / y&uuml / kada and Kadik&ouml / y as new resort districts of Istanbul. The urban development of Istanbul and B&uuml / y&uuml / kada is introduced as a basis to discuss the architectural context and domestic life. The discussion centers on the emergence of concept of &lsquo / resort houses&rsquo / as a new dwelling type in Istanbul in the late Ottoman period. Selected case studies are described and compared to illustrate how such houses were conceptualized, built and utilized.

This study compares the National Economy concept as it is employed in Friedrich List&rsquo / s works with its theoretical reflections among Ottoman intelligentsia, particularly in Ziya G&ouml / kalp. The effects of National Economy on the Ottoman thought is examined by bearing in mind two journals: T&uuml / rk Yurdu and Iktisadiyat Mecmuasi. The field of application of National Economy is explicated by an analysis of the first steps towards industrialization, especially after the Young Turk Revolution of 1908. It attempts to find answers to the questions as to how and to what degree the theoretical development of National Economy affected the Ottoman economic policies implemented.

In the process of globalization, air transportation plays an important role for the development of regional and national economy. There has been considerably increasing demand for air transportation and will continue in the foreseeable future. In this respect this research demonstrates a case study of Sabiha G&ouml / k&ccedil / en International Airport, the second and recently built airport of istanbul, and its relation with the region. The main aim of this study is to understand the initial transportation benefits of the Sabiha G&ouml / k&ccedil / en International Airport investment.The objectives of the research are to understand the contribution of Sabiha G&ouml / k&ccedil / en International Airport to istanbul and particularly the Anatolian side, in terms of air travel mobility as well as savings in cost and time, to identify the current and potential role of Sabiha G&ouml / k&ccedil / en International Airport in the multi-airport system of istanbul and to assess the usage of the airport by analyzing the current customer profile in order to understand the spatial aspects of the current demand.

This study aims to examine the foreign policy orientation of the Republican People&rsquo / s Party (CHP) during 2003 and 2005. Thus, four major foreign policy issues during this period will be scrutinized. These issues are namely, Turkey&rsquo / s EU membership process, the Cyprus problem, the US-Turkey relations and the Armenian question. Taking into consideration the current development concerning these issues, this study will focus on the views and reactions of the CHP. In this respect, the main determinant factors behind the foreign policy stance of the party will be discussed. Finally, comparing the foreign policy understanding of the CHP in the past, the study will focus on the question whether the CHP of today constitutes continuation or a shift from the past CHP administrations. At the end of the study, the results of a research issued at the current CHP deputies so as to evaluate their foreign policy orientations will be revealed.

This study is based on a comparison of the spatial choices of two middle class groups residing in &Ccedil / ayyolu and Ke&ccedil / i&ouml / ren in Ankara. Spatial choices include the residences and neighborhood, the consumption of various places and activities in urban space and evaluations of the urban space. To search for the effects of alternative factors on the spatial choices along with well-known economic capital, two upper middle class groups are chosen as the basis of comparison. In line with the effects of Bourdieu&amp / #8217 / s cultural capital and social and symbolic capital on the differentiation of middle class / the location choice, spatial use and evaluation differences of the two groups at hand are investigated. Based on the effects of consumption sphere in class formation, the influence of the concept of &amp / #8216 / taste&amp / #8217 / and the differentiating aspect of lifestyle is discussed and how the resulting spatial tastes and choices may affect the development of urban space is presented in the case of Ankara. The importance of considering theoretically the local variations in studies conducted in urban space based on the daily practices of urbanites is revealed by the discussions of cultural factors that are special to Ankara and Turkey.

Multi-purpose project requirements lead to construction of large dams. In order to maintain the desired safety level of such dams, comprehensive inspections based on use of a number of precise instruments are needed. The ideal dam instrumentation system should provide time-dependent information about critical parameters so that possible future behavior of the structure can be predicted. New dams are normally equipped with adequate instrumentation systems. Most of the existing dams, however, do not have adequate instruments or current instrumentation systems may not be in good condition. By implementing the modern equipment to existing dams, the uncertainty associated with the impacts of aging or unexpected severe external events will be reduced and possible remedial measures can be taken accordingly. This study summarizes the major causes of dam failures and introduces the instruments to be used to monitor the key parameters of a dam. The concept of the instrument retrofitting to an unmonitored dam is highlighted through a case study. A sample system is proposed for G&ouml / k&ccedil / ekaya Dam, with reference to an investigation of the current condition of the structure. The deficiencies observed during a site visit are listed and the corresponding rehabilitative repair measures are suggested. Finally, different alternatives of a new instrumentation system are introduced and compared in terms of technical and economical aspects.