Historical Analysis of the Sümerbank Factories Established in Accordance with the First Five-Year Industrialization Plan

Abstract

In its foundation years, The Republic of Turkey has adopted a development model based on modernization, innovation and the principle of statism in its economic policies. In this respect, the First Five-Year Industrial Plan, which includes the priority needs of Turkey, was prepared and the state started to build new factories in the 1930s. These factories not only brought employment and innovation to the city where they were located, but they also played an important role in shaping the life style of the Early Republican Period. Among the factories built in accordance with the First Five-Year Industrial Plan, this study aims to focus on Sümerbank factories, where the foundations of economic and social development were laid, and examine their transformation in the historical process. Firstly, an extensive literature review was conducted on the Sümerbank factories established between 1933 and 1938. Following that, the site selection criteria of Sümerbank factories located in different regions of Turkey and their physical aspects during the establishment phase were examined. Finally, by documenting the existing features of these industrial heritage places, a general assessment was made on the transformation from the 1930s to the present.