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

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.