TELL ME – BURSA : ACCESSIBLE CITY DISCOVERY MOBILE APPLICATION

5th INTERNATIONAL BURSA SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHS CONGRESS, Bursa, Türkiye, 1 - 03 Mart 2024, ss.358-359

This study aims to enhance the experience of exploring architectural heritage listed on the

UNESCO World Heritage List, thereby increasing accessibility for visually impaired

individuals. According to data from the World Health Organization, there are approximately 1

billion people worldwide experiencing vision problems, and it is important to protect these

individuals (WHO, 2021). Nowadays, there are various applications available to ensure safe

transportation for visually impaired individuals living in cities. Tactile surface indicators are

used to help visually impaired individuals detect their surroundings, walk comfortably, and

navigate correctly while moving (NRCFDJ, 2003). However, these applications are generally

limited to facilitating travel from one place to another. In this study, a mobile application has

been developed to offer visually impaired individuals the opportunity to explore the city by

leveraging evolving technologies.

The mobile application, named "Tell Me - Bursa," is developed based on audio description

methods. The foundation of audio description is based on the principle of describing visual

elements in the environment by visually impaired individuals (Tanış Polat, 2016). The audio

description text carries descriptive text characteristics as its textual type (Günay, 2007). The

application targets the Hanlar District and the Inner City District in Bursa, which are important

tourism routes and are also recognized by UNESCO. In 2014, the Metropolitan Municipality

of Bursa, through its dedicated efforts, succeeded in inscribing the Khans District as a UNESCO

World Heritage Site. This district, boasting 36 registered historic buildings, was constructed

during the early foundation period of the Ottoman Empire (UNESCO, 2015). The period

starting from the conquest of Bursa in 1326 and extending until the end of the 16th century is

considered as the formation period of the bazaar. Throughout this period, the bazaar area, which

began to take shape from the Orhangazi period onwards, played a significant role both in the

Ottoman and Republican eras (Ediz Ö., Gürsakal N., 2010). The historical significance of the

Hanlar District as a major trade center since the Ottoman Empire and the rich historical texture

of the Inner City District are among the reasons for selecting these areas.

In the application, significant structures from the Hanlar District and the Inner City District

(such as the Grand Mosque, Koza Han, Covered Bazaar, Tophane Clock Tower, Tombs of

Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, and City Gates) are augmented with audio description content.

When the user enters the designated boundaries of these structures or areas using the GPS

features of mobile devices, the audio description recording is automatically played. This allows

visually impaired individuals to explore and discover these historical areas. The audio

description content not only narrates the historical background of the structure but also provides

detailed information about its architectural features.

The aim of the application is to enhance the city exploration experience for visually impaired

individuals by providing them with an assistant traveler application and to ensure the

accessibility of important architectural heritage sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage

List.

Keywords: Audio city guide, UNESCO cultural heritage, accessibility, visually impaired.