Reading social and spatial transformation through oral history: the case of kuruçeşme neighborhood in Bursasummary

Space is a human construct, both physically and socially. Therefore, social, historical, and cultural traces belonging to human beings are carried through space. Through examples of the human-space interaction, it is possible to observe how social rituals shape and organize the physical environment. However, under the influence of capitalism, increasingly homogeneous urban spaces have emerged. In this context, identifying the values of urban areas with specific identities, understanding the process of spatial and social transformation, and interpreting changing everyday life practices are important for shaping the future of urban space. With globalization, cities receiving migration are rapidly expanding, and simultaneously, physical and social transformations are occurring in older settlements and historic spaces located in city centers. Yet, in urban areas, physical changes are often emphasized more than social ones. In fact, space is a structure that, with its social and historical accumulation, goes beyond physical boundaries and constitutes the memory of society. The aim of this study is to understand the transformation dynamics in the social production process of urban space. In this context, it seeks to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the spatial and social change/transformation process of the Kuruçeşme neighborhood, formerly known as Yahudilik (Jewish quarter), by identifying its rupture points. Additionally, through oral history interviews, the layered story of the neighborhood from past to present is explored. In this understanding process, based on urban memory, the transformation of social relations, the reproduction of space, and the effects of these processes on everyday life practices are examined through the individual and collective experiences and testimonies of the Jewish community. The field of study, Kuruçeşme neighborhood, is located in the city center of Bursa. Bursa has held a significant position in the globalization process and has undergone both spatial and social transformations under its influence. The main research question of this study is how these transformations in Bursa have been reflected in the Kuruçeşme neighborhood. The transformation of the neighborhood is described as a shift from "Yahudilik" to "Arap Şükrü Street." Once a place where Jewish and Muslim families lived together in peace, the neighborhood has now acquired a completely different social and spatial character. Located south of Altıparmak Avenue, it stands out with its traditional residential fabric compared to surrounding areas. As the Jewish minority gradually left the neighborhood, the functional transformation of buildings led to a new urban appearance. Moreover, businesses established in the area contributed to the neighborhood being officially labeled as xvii Arap Şükrü Street and defined it as a unique face of the city. Therefore, it has become crucial to present a spatial and social map of the current state of Kuruçeşme. The methodological design of the study is based on qualitative research. The main data source is oral history interviews conducted with Jewish participants. The oral history method enables uncovering social and spatial transformations in urban areas from the perspectives of those who witnessed and were affected by these changes. In this context, the narratives of Jewish individuals often overlooked, hard to reach, and marginalized in other data sourceshave provided important insights into spatial and social transformation. The testimonies of the Jewish community, who have witnessed the historical process since the neighborhood's foundation, have served as the primary data source. In addition to oral history interviews, the research process was supported by observations, document analysis, and supplementary interviews, thereby adopting a layered methodological framework. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with Jewish participants, although reaching them was one of the most challenging aspects of the study. The data obtained were analyzed through content analysis using the Maxqda 24 software. The coded data were evaluated under five main themes. These themes were shaped around topics such as social and cultural interaction, migration and rupture points, new spatial configurations and societal changes, and individual and collective memory. Observations and supplementary interviews revealed that the Jewish minority perceived neighborhood security differently and regarded the transformation process more naturally. One of the most prominent findings of the research is that, although in most urban contexts spatial change is typically followed by social change, the process in Kuruçeşme appears to have occurred in reverse. That is, social disintegration was experienced first, followed by spatial transformation. While the neighborhood was once inhabited by long-standing residents living in security and trust, especially during the 1980s, the transformation began, and the social structure started to change. Over time, some of the vacated houses were converted into taverns, boutique hotels, or cafes, while others became derelict. This transformation story of Kuruçeşme has been interpreted as a micro-scale reflection of the broader urban transformation experienced in the city of Bursa.