Analysis of Urban Identity of a Palimpsest City: Bursa City Center as a Case

Year 2017, Volume:13 Special Issue:1, 1 - 14, 20.11.2017

Alper Gönül , Selen Durak , Tülin Vural Arslan

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Urban identity,  as a distinctive characteristic of
each city, can be defined as the sum of tangible and intangible values of the
city. Globalization and economic concerns increased the emphasis on the concept
of urban identity by promoting the unique cultural values of the city. In
recent years, local governments have been carrying out studies in order to
uncover the distinctive urban environments symbolizing the different periods of
the city. As a result of these studies, the concept of urban identity is often
on the agenda.

Bursa, as the fourth biggest city in Turkey, is among
the cities that preserved its palimpsest structure. The city witnessed several
civilizations such as Bithynian, Roman and Byzantine, until it was conquered by
Ottomans in 1326. During Ottoman period, with a unique urban settlement idea,
the boundaries of the city began to be shaped and the city preserved its
pattern until the 19th century. In the second half of the 20th century
depending on industrialization, immigration and globalization urban areas began
to increase towards peripheries. While Bursa was affected from these
developments, historic city center sustained its location and character with
minor changes until now. Depending on its tangible values, the city has been
included in UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

The historical urban layers that continue to exist in
the city center still have a strong influence in the definition of urban
identity of Bursa. The aim of the study is to evaluate the transformation of
urban identity in the historical city center of Bursa under the forces of
various thresholds. In the content of this study, in order to understand how
these thresholds affected the city center, a comparative study is carried out
by using city maps, planning notes and visual materials. The findings of the
study have revealed that urban environments shaping the collective memory of the
city are still part of the urban daily life, although the city center has been
subjected to several transformations throughout history.   

Keywords

Urban identity, palimpsest city, Bursa

ANALYSIS OF URBAN IDENTITY OF A PALIMPSEST CITY: BURSA CITY CENTER AS A CASE

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Urban identity, as a distinctive characteristic of
each city, can be defined as the sum of tangible and intangible values of the
city. Globalization and economic concerns increased the emphasis on the concept
of urban identity by promoting the unique cultural values of the city. In
recent years, local governments have been carrying out studies in order to
uncover the distinctive urban environments symbolizing the different periods of
the city. As a result of these studies, the concept of urban identity is often
on the agenda.

Bursa, as the fourth biggest city in Turkey, is among
the cities that preserved its palimpsest structure. The city witnessed several
civilizations such as Bithynian, Roman and Byzantine, until it was conquered by
Ottomans in 1326. During Ottoman period, with a unique urban settlement idea,
the boundaries of the city began to be shaped and the city preserved its
pattern until the 19th century. In the second half of the 20th century
depending on industrialization, immigration and globalization urban areas began
to increase towards peripheries. While Bursa was affected from these
developments, historic city center sustained its location and character with
minor changes until now. Depending on its tangible values, the city has been
included in UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

The historical urban layers that continue to exist in
the city center still have a strong influence in the definition of urban
identity of Bursa. The aim of the study is to evaluate the transformation of
urban identity in the historical city center of Bursa under the forces of
various thresholds. In the content of this study, in order to understand how
these thresholds affected the city center, a comparative study is carried out
by using city maps, planning notes and visual materials. The findings of the
study have revealed that urban environments shaping the collective memory of the
city are still part of the urban daily life, although the city center has been
subjected to several transformations throughout history.

Keywords

urban palimsest, urban identity, Bursa

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