Publications
Between empire and industry: negotiating urban heritage, modernization, and identity in Bursa, Türkiye
Heritage-led urban transformation in Bursa, Türkiye, reveals how UNESCO designation and neoliberal policies prioritize monumental Ottoman legacies while marginalizing Republican-era industrial heritage. This study demonstrates that such processes reshape urban space through commodification, selective remembrance, and symbolic exclusion, often at the expense of everyday urban practices and social equity. By integrating Lefebvre’s production of space, Halbwachs’ politics of collective memory, and Harvey’s concept of spatial justice, the research highlights tensions between preservation, modernization, and spatial justice in post-imperial cities under global heritage regimes.
Evaluating World Heritage Management through the Sustainable Development Goals: A Review of the Bursa 2021–2026 Management Plan
A novel semi-quantitative SDG assessment model reveals that Bursa and Cumalıkızık's 2021–2026 World Heritage Management Plan strongly aligns with SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships), while underrepresenting SDGs 4 (Education) and 8 (Economic Growth). This first systematic application of such a framework to a Turkish heritage site highlights operational gaps in educational programming and community engagement, despite adherence to UNESCO's Historic Urban Landscape principles. The study introduces a replicable evaluation matrix for future sustainability planning.
Architectural Characteristics and Conservation Proposals for Greek Orthodox Churches of the Ottoman Period: The Case of Bursa
Greek Orthodox churches in Bursa, built during the Ottoman period, exhibit unique architectural characteristics and face significant conservation challenges. The study identifies their original configurations through restitution studies and proposes tailored conservation strategies to ensure their protection, continued use, and transmission to future generations. It also explores the historical context of church construction under Ottoman rule, highlighting how restrictions were gradually lifted by the mid-19th century, allowing non-Muslim communities to build new places of worship. The research combines architectural documentation, including photographs and drawings, with an assessment of conservation needs, providing a comprehensive approach to preserving these cultural heritage sites.
Innovative Business Models in Cultural Tourism: The Case of Cumalıkızık
Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman-era village in Bursa, demonstrates how innovative cultural tourism models can simultaneously preserve heritage and boost local economies. The study identifies key strategies that enhance visitor experiences while supporting sustainable economic growth for communities. Analysis of Tripadvisor reviews and Google restaurant ratings revealed actionable insights to differentiate Cumalıkızık's offerings, providing a blueprint for other culturally rich sites. This approach contrasts with traditional tourism models by prioritizing enrichment and sustainability, offering a scalable solution for heritage conservation through economic development.
Sustainable Business Model Innovation
A sustainable business model innovation for Cumalıkızık Village successfully integrates cultural heritage preservation, local development, and digitalization. The model, developed using Gassmann's Magic Triangle and the Business Model Canvas framework within the REMODEL Horizon Europe Project, leverages competitor analysis, field observations, and stakeholder interviews to create concrete strategies. It offers a practical roadmap for stakeholders aiming to innovate in tourism while addressing sustainability challenges.
Sustainable Business Model Innovation: The Case of Cumalikiz Restaurant
Cumalıkızık Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Ottoman architecture and cultural richness, faces sustainability challenges due to seasonal tourism surges. A study highlights that while tourism significantly boosts the village's economy, it also strains infrastructure such as parking and traffic management during peak seasons. Additionally, the lack of diversity in services, particularly the dominance of breakfast offerings among restaurants, limits the village's potential for sustainable growth. The research suggests that addressing these issues through innovative business models could enhance both economic resilience and environmental sustainability in heritage sites like Cumalıkızık.
An Investigation of the Courtyard Designs of Historical Cumalikizik Houses
Cumalıkızık houses, recognized by UNESCO for their architectural and historical significance since 2014, feature courtyard designs that prioritize user privacy and vital activities. This study identified nine key parameters—plan types, reinforcement elements, activity elements, flooring, water, lighting, overhead cover, courtyard walls, and landscape plants—to analyze the traditional designs of these houses in Bursa, Turkey. Through a combination of literature review, on-site observations, and photographic documentation, researchers uncovered distinctive design patterns that enhance functionality while preserving cultural heritage. The findings contribute to the understanding of Ottoman-era residential architecture and its enduring influence on urban planning.
Bursa/Cumalıkızık Evlerinde Kapı Halka, Tokmak ve Aynaları
Research on Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman village, reveals that its door rings and knockers—key architectural elements—reflect a blend of European influences and local adaptations. The study analyzed 66 rings and 40 knockers from 135 houses, categorizing them into distinct types based on shape (circular for rings, C/U/L-shaped for knockers) and decorative motifs. Notably, many knockers feature inscriptions like 'Allah' or 'Maşallah,' suggesting religious symbolism. These elements, predominantly dating to the 19th century, demonstrate a tradition that transitioned from imported European designs to locally adapted forms, preserving Ottoman craftsmanship.
Cumalıkızık ve Çevresinde (Bursa) Etnobotanik Bir Araştırma
A comprehensive ethnobotanical study of Bursa's Cumalıkızık region reveals 140 plant species from 59 families, with diverse local uses including medicine (113), food (17), ornamentation (20), furniture (5), dye (2), and animal feed (2). The research, conducted through fieldwork and interviews with 51 participants (34 women, 17 men) between 2020-2021, highlights Malva sylvestris L. as the most versatile species, utilized in multiple categories. Key plant families include Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rosaceae, with usage patterns varying across plant parts such as leaves, flowers, fruits, or entire plants. This study provides valuable insights into traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dünya mirası Cumalıkızık’ta yaşayan yerel halkın turiste karşı tutumu
Local communities in Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire, generally hold positive attitudes toward tourism. This study reveals that while economic benefits are strongly appreciated, concerns about environmental pollution and cultural degradation also emerge as significant issues. The research employed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 12 residents, analyzing data through content analysis to identify key themes. Findings underscore the importance of integrating local perspectives into future tourism planning to balance economic gains with socio-cultural and environmental sustainability.
Film Turizmi Bağlamında Cumalıkızık Köyü
Cumalıkızık, a historic village at the heart of Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire UNESCO World Heritage Site, has emerged as a significant tourist destination, largely due to its cultural and natural appeal amplified by media exposure. The study identifies key factors that attract visitors—such as its historical significance and scenic beauty—as well as challenges, including potential over-tourism or underdeveloped infrastructure. Through qualitative interviews with tourists, locals, and business owners, researchers uncovered 12 distinct factors influencing the village's appeal, with the Turkish TV series Kınalı Kar playing a pivotal role in boosting its popularity. The findings suggest targeted improvements to address weaknesses while leveraging cultural heritage to sustain tourism growth.
Mimarlık Eğitiminde Geleneksel Mimarlık Bilgisi
Geleneksel mimarlık bilgisi, mimarlık eğitiminde önemli bir yer tutar ve bu bilgi, Beypazarı, Cumalıkızık ve Mardin gibi geleneksel yerleşimlerin incelenmesi aracılığıyla ortaya konmuştur. Araştırma, üç ölçek arası bakış açısıyla bu yerleşimlerin yapısal özelliklerini ve bunları var eden dinamikleri anlamaya çalışmıştır. Ayrıca, geleneksel mimarlık kavramlarının literatürde nasıl ele alındığı ve güncel konularla ilişkisi tartışılmıştır. Bu sayede, geleneksel mimarlık bilgisinin önemi vurgulanmış ve geleceğin mimarlarının eğitimindeki gerekliliği belirlenmiştir.
Yaşayan Osmanlı Köyü Cumalikizik a Yönelik Netnografik Bir Araştırma (a Netnographic Research on the Living Ottoman Village Cumalikizik)
A netnographic analysis of online tourist experiences at Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a living Ottoman village in Bursa, reveals that visitors are deeply impressed by its historical fabric and natural beauty. However, they express significant dissatisfaction with the lack of service standards, commercialization, and overcrowding. The study, conducted using content analysis on 156 Turkish-language reviews from TripAdvisor between 2019-2024, employed MaxQDA 2024 for thematic coding and Kappa analysis to identify key themes and word frequencies. Findings highlight the tension between Cumalıkızık's cultural significance and its current visitor experience challenges.
Kırsal Alanlarda Koruma Sorunları: Bursa Cumalıkızık Köyü Örneği
Rural areas, particularly those with historical and cultural significance, face critical preservation challenges that threaten their authenticity. A study on Bursa's Cumalıkızık Village identifies the root causes of these issues—primarily neglect, economic hardships, and architectural decay—which collectively accelerate physical deterioration. The research employs a problem-based approach, combining field observations and literature reviews to categorize preservation challenges into social, economic, architectural, and legal dimensions. Key findings highlight that while Cumalıkızık's traditional architecture is at risk due to abandonment and financial constraints, targeted rehabilitation strategies could safeguard its unique character while ensuring community engagement. The study proposes actionable recommendations aimed at mitigating these threats, offering a model for similar rural settlements worldwide.
Ziyaretçilerin Kırsal Turizm Faaliyetlerinden Memnuniyet Düzeyi: Cumalıkızık Köyü Örneği
A study on visitor satisfaction with rural tourism activities in Cumalıkızık Village, Bursa, revealed that 62.6% of visitors were women, with an average monthly income of 2876 TL and a willingness to spend 66 TL per visit. Visitors expressed the highest satisfaction towards local people's hospitality but showed indecision regarding local product prices. The research, conducted through surveys of 171 visitors in November 2016 using Cochran sampling, underscores the potential of rural tourism to boost rural development and mitigate urban migration by increasing tourist numbers if implemented more consciously.
Kültürel Miras Turizmi Değerlerinin Korunması ve Sürdürülebilirliği Kapsamında Yerel Halkın Tutumu: Cumalıkızık Örneği
Local communities in Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural heritage, demonstrate strong support for sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural assets. A 2018 survey revealed high awareness among residents regarding the importance of tourism and the need to protect their heritage, while also recognizing both potential benefits and risks associated with tourism development. This study highlights the significance of local engagement in balancing tourism growth with the conservation of cultural values, offering insights for similar heritage sites.
Kültürel Peyzajların Kırsal Turizm İle Kullanım İlişkisinin Değerlendirilmesi: Cumalıkızık-Bursa Örneği
Cultural landscapes, characterized by their unique identity and local heritage, play a pivotal role in sustaining rural tourism. A study on Bursa-Cumalıkızık reveals that these landscapes significantly influence rural tourism utilization. The research identifies key cultural landscape values through fieldwork, observations, and expert consultations, then assesses their impact using SWOT analysis and TOWS matrices. Findings underscore the importance of preserving these values for effective rural tourism planning, aiming to provide a foundation for future development strategies in the region.
Otantiklik ve Metalaşma Kavramlarının Turizmin Sürdürülebilirliği Çerçevesinde Taraklı ve Cumalıkızık Bölgeleri Üzerinden Okunması
This study reveals the dual-edged impact of tourism on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly Bursa and Cumalıkızık, which represent the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire. While tourism can drive economic benefits for local communities by preserving cultural authenticity, unplanned commercialization risks turning these sites into mere marketing tools, stripping them of their historical and cultural essence. The research focuses on two distinct regions: Cumalıkızık Village in Bursa, with its 700-year history, and Taraklı in Sakarya, recognized as a 'Slow City' for retaining its unique identity. Through fieldwork and data analysis, the study explores how the balance between authenticity and commodification can be maintained to ensure sustainable tourism, offering insights into preserving cultural heritage while maximizing economic gains.
Physical Changes in World Heritage Sites under the Pressure of Tourism: The Case of Cumalıkızık Village in Bursa
Tourism is altering the physical fabric of Cumalıkızık Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing the rural-urban dynamics of the Early Ottoman Empire. Research shows that increasing tourism has led to commercial adaptations in traditional houses along key sightseeing routes, threatening their authenticity and sustainability. The study analyzed three historic dwellings—selected for their prominence on the main tourist path—revealing interventions such as modifications to courtyards and facades, often driven by owner-led efforts to capitalize on visitor interest. These changes, while enhancing economic viability, risk compromising the village's cultural integrity, posing challenges for preservation in World Heritage contexts.
Bursa’da Çekilen Filmler Üzerinden Kent İmgeleri: 1900-2012 Yılları Arası
A study analyzing films shot in Bursa between 1900 and 2012 reveals shifts in how the city's imagery has been perceived and utilized over time. During the Yesilcam period (1955-1972), landmarks such as the Atatürk Statue and Green Tomb dominated, while recent TV series (2017-2018) have reintroduced cultural resources from the city center. The research, based on Lynch's image elements—paths, landmarks, nodes, districts, and edges—found that Cumalıkızık became a focal district in later years (1987-2012). Unlike traditional studies relying on individual mind maps, this study used cinema films to map Bursa's evolving urban imagery, highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
Kırsal Turizmde İşletmelerin Rolü: Cumalikızlık Örneği
Rural tourism, a growing segment within the tourism industry, is increasingly supported for its potential to drive regional development. This study reveals that business owners in Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bursa, Turkey, hold predominantly positive attitudes toward rural tourism. However, it also highlights significant discrepancies between local businesses and municipal authorities, particularly regarding restoration efforts. The research suggests that while businesses focus on tourist numbers, there is an urgent need for education to prioritize the preservation of local heritage. Conducted through qualitative interviews with 18 business owners, this study aims to understand their perspectives on rural tourism and provides actionable recommendations to address these challenges.
Urban Design and Community Engagement in Cultural Heritage Sites: the Case of Bursa Hanlar District
A study on Bursa Hanlar District identified key urban design challenges and community expectations that hinder the site's attractiveness. The research revealed that issues such as accessibility-permeability, mixed-use balance, public-private space quality, density-use relationships, governance, and sustainable structures were critical concerns for both residents and local artisans. To address these problems, the study proposed participatory urban design strategies aimed at enhancing multi-user diversity and strengthening community engagement. The findings underscore the importance of integrating socio-cultural and socio-economic values into heritage conservation efforts to preserve urban identity and memory.
Learning from Mardin and Cumalıkızık: Turkish Vernacular Architecture in the Context of Sustainability
Traditional Turkish vernacular architecture, exemplified by sites such as Cumalıkızık and Mardin, embodies sustainable design principles that predate modern concepts. This study reveals how these historical structures integrate passive cooling strategies, efficient material use, and adaptability to local climates, offering timeless lessons for contemporary sustainable architecture. By comparing two distinct regions—Mardin in southeastern Turkey and Cumalıkızık near Bursa—the research highlights the resilience of traditional designs in addressing sustainability challenges. The approach involves analyzing architectural features, construction materials, and environmental interactions, demonstrating that vernacular solutions can inform modern practices without relying on advanced technology.
Flood disaster vulnerability in informal settlements in Bursa, Turkey
Informal settlements in Bursa, Turkey, face significant flood disaster vulnerability due to inadequate disaster risk reduction measures. A study analyzing interviews with households affected by floods in 2010 revealed that these communities lack access to effective mitigation strategies and bear disproportionate economic burdens post-disaster. Key factors increasing flood damage included poor infrastructure and limited preparedness, while interviewees reported minimal post-flood adaptive measures. The research underscores the urgent need for integrated disaster risk reduction policies tailored to low-income communities, emphasizing collaboration between authorities and vulnerable populations to enhance resilience.
Evaluation of radon concentration in well and tap waters in Bursa, Turkey
A study evaluating radon concentrations in well and tap waters in Bursa, Turkey, found that while most samples were below safety limits, seven sites exceeded the USEPA's recommended threshold of 11.1 Bq l(-1). Radon levels ranged from 1.46 to 53.64 Bq l(-1) in well water and 0.91 to 12.58 Bq l(-1) in tap water, with all values significantly below the EU's revised reference level of 100 Bq l(-1). The research used AlphaGUARD PQ 2000PRO radon gas analyser across diverse geologic formations, comparing local data with international standards. Annual mean effective doses from water consumption were minimal, ranging from 0.02 to 1.11 µSv a(-1), indicating low health risks.
Prousa/Bursa, a city within the city: chorography, conversion and choreography
Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and known as Prousa during Byzantine rule, exhibits a complex urban fabric where Ottoman identity emerged alongside enduring Byzantine influences. This study reveals that early 14th-century Bursa was less uniform than previously thought, with Byzantine architectural elements persisting and shaping Ottoman construction practices. By analyzing pre-1855 earthquake drawings and textual evidence, the research challenges Ottoman-centric narratives, demonstrating how Byzantine substrata informed the city's development despite significant remodelling due to fires and earthquakes.
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