Urban reforms of Tanzimat: Early urbanization and transportation practices in the formation process of Turkish reconstruction system (1839-1908) in Bursa the first capital city of Ottoman Empire

Abstract

Bursa, since the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, being on the important trade roads and having a capital accumulation as a result of silk production, was one of the first citiesofmodernization activities applied. Bursa maintained its importance even during the Republican Period and became one of the most important cities of the country and today is the fourth biggest and the industrialized city in Turkey. Social, political, economical and cultural changes occured with the reforms starting with the 1839 Edict of Tanzimat that aimed at modernizing the society and thegovernment and centralizing the political power began in theOttoman Empire. After the Tanzimat Reforms transformation of the city changed and planning processes began in Bursa according to thevision of Governors. The theresholds of the city are very important data for a sustainable planning for the city planners. Main aim of this study is to investigate the changes and transformations of the cityaccording to the changes in the socio-economical and cultural properties for the city planners.