Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning , vol.12, no.3, pp.477-493, 2024 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Urban areas constantly transforming and it is usually challenging to preserve heritage during
transformation. As a historical city that went through a rapid growth period, Bursa sets an
example to that. Bursa is an ancient city that hosted various civilizations throughout history.
During the Republican Era, Bursa itself grew and expended. Especially starting from the second
half of 20th century, Bursa’s population increased through migration and the city entered a
rapid industrialization era. Built principally on the east-west axis, the city continued to expend
mainly towards West. Such growth transformed especially Nilüfer district, situated on the West
of the center. Odunluk is a neighborhood in Nilüfer district which transformed during this
process. This work focuses on architectural, urban and spatial transformation of Odunluk during
the first century of Turkish Republic. The change was analyzed through photographs, satellite
images, records and maps of the area. Building density and buildings’ architectural properties
were seen to have drastically changed. Therefore, Odunluk’s transformation was compiled in
four main dimensions: materials, building height, density and housing typology. These four
critera were determined as the most relevant and basic indicators of change in the area. Having
transformed in all four dimensions, Odunluk no longer holds its ancient, rural heritage and it has
become a new, central urban zone.