Natural and Cultural Heritage as Drivers of Urban Resilience: Insights from Bursa, an Anatolian/Turkish City

Abstract

This study examines how the natural and cultural heritage of Bursa—one of the earliest examples of an Anatolian–Turkish city—serves as a foundational driver of urban resilience. Drawing on a socio-ecological systems perspective, the research analyzes the city’s historical development, settlement morphology, and institutional structures, with particular focus on the waqf–imaret system that shaped social welfare, urban services, and spatial organization. Bursa’s topography-sensitive urban form, strong urban–rural linkages, and culturally embedded community networks enabled the city to absorb, adapt, and recover from repeated shocks, including fires, earthquakes, and socio-political disruptions. Findings demonstrate that cultural heritage in Bursa is not only a passive legacy but an active resilience resource that supports wellbeing, social cohesion, strategic governance, and environmental adaptability. The paper argues that the structural logic of the Anatolian–Turkish city offers valuable insights for contemporary resilience planning and provides a heritage-informed framework for sustainable urban development.

Keywords

• Urban resilience
• cultural heritage
• waqf–imaret system
• socio-ecological systems.

Ethical Statement

The author expresses sincere appreciation to the scholars and institutions whose works and archival contributions formed the foundation of this study. The article complies with national and international research and publication ethics. Since the study is based solely on historical documents, published literature, and publicly accessible archival sources, Ethics Committee approval was not required.

Kentsel Dirençlilikte Doğal ve Kültürel Mirasın Rolü: Anadolu/Türk Kenti Bursa’dan Çıkarımlar

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Anadolu–Türk kentinin erken örneklerinden biri olan Bursa’nın doğal ve kültürel mirasının kentsel dirençliliğin temel bir belirleyicisi olarak nasıl işlediğini incelemektedir. Sosyo-ekolojik sistemler yaklaşımıyla, kentin tarihsel gelişimi, yerleşim morfolojisi ve özellikle sosyal refah ile mekânsal örgütlenmeyi şekillendiren vakıf–imaret sistemi analiz edilmiştir. Bursa’nın topoğrafyaya uyumlu kent formu, güçlü kentsel–kırsal ilişkileri ve köklü topluluk ağları, yangınlar, depremler ve sosyo-politik kesintiler gibi şoklara karşı uyum ve toparlanma kapasitesini artırmıştır. Bulgular, kültürel mirasın pasif bir geçmiş unsuru değil, sosyal bütünlük, yönetişim ve çevresel uyum sağlayan aktif bir dirençlilik kaynağı olduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışma, Anadolu–Türk kent yapısının günümüz sürdürülebilir ve dirençli şehir planlaması için önemli çıkarımlar sunduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Kentsel dirençlilik
• kültürel miras
• vakıf-imaret sistemi
• sosya-ekolojik sistemler.

Ethical Statement

The author expresses sincere appreciation to the scholars and institutions whose works and archival contributions formed the foundation of this study. The article complies with national and international research and publication ethics. Since the study is based solely on historical documents, published literature, and publicly accessible archival sources, Ethics Committee approval was not required.

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