BURSA - POPULATION AND ECONOMY

The great amount of population in Bursa lives in the settlements around the center of the city. It is aimed that the population in the center is drawn to the recently developing regions in the west and east according to the city plans. In all the planning studies realized, the protection of the Bursa plain, which is located in the north is taken into consideration, and it is suggested not to settle down in these areas.

Within the borders of the Municipality of Bursa, there are still empty residential areas for 641,000 people. In Bursa, the young population requires various demands from education to work as well as providing dynamism. The average of people housed is 461.550 according to the data gathered in 1994. According to the census in 1990, one of every two people in the working population aged 12 and older is receiving payment. In terms of bank investments per person, Bursa is the 6th biggest city, and in terms of the number of vehicles in traffic, it is the 4th in Turkey.

According to the census in October 1996, the total population in the city is 2,416,193, and in the city center 1,211,688.

Having an important place in automotive sector, the most developed sector in Turkey, in machinery, textile, and food industry sectors, Bursa comes the 3rd after Kocaeli and İstanbul considering the proportion of general budget expenses to incomes in the country. Organized Industry Area established in 1962 and Demirtaş Industry Area, which was established later, and particularly the area around Ankara and İzmir roads are where industrialization is dense.

Besides these areas mentioned above, industrialization in various densities can also be observed in the districts of Mudanya, Gemlik, Orhangazi, Inegöl, Kemalpaşa, and Karacabey as well. With the projects related to the construction of new seaports with large capacities, airports, railway connection, and the establishment of a free area in the near future, the ties of the city with the world economy will become much stronger, and, an increase will be observed in tourism movements. In Bursa agriculture and industry are in a very strong relation, and a considerable part of the industry in the city is using the agricultural crops grown in Bursa. The export rate of industrial products is 50-60%, of agricultural products 30-40%, and of mining products 10 %. Bursa produces 94% of automobiles, and 26% of minibuses in Turkey.