Gürsu is a district located in the northeast of Bursa province, in the Marmara Region of Türkiye. The district, with an area of 118 km², is established on lands extending from the foothills of Uludağ to the Bursa Plain. Gürsu has shown development in recent years with its potential in industry, agriculture, and tourism. In the district, there are historical structures such as Ottoman-era plane trees, houses, a Turkish bath, and a mosque. These elements reflect the cultural and historical fabric of the region.
History
Gürsu's origin dates back to a settlement established before the 15th century under the name "Susığırlık". Its name comes from the intensive buffalo (water buffalo) breeding in the region. Due to both the presence of many settlements named Susığırlık and abundant water sources, it was named "Gürsu" in 1931. It became a sub-district center in 1926 and gained district status with law number 3644 on May 9, 1990. It began serving as a district in October 1991.
Gürsu bears traces from the Ancient, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. It was an important settlement, especially during the Roman and Byzantine eras. The Silk Road Neighborhood, established in the Kozluca area where the historical Silk Road passed, reflects this past. Traces of prehistoric settlements have also been found in archaeological excavations. The ancient road and Kozluca area in the Dışkaya Harmanlar region have been registered as a 1st Degree Archaeological Site.
In Gürsu, which stood out for sericulture during the Ottoman period, the third floors of houses were dedicated to silkworm breeding. Historical houses, the Turkish bath, and the Orta Mosque, which was formerly a church, constitute the cultural heritage of the district. 56 examples of civil architecture, a historical mill, and 62 plane and cypress trees have been registered.
Geographical Structure
Gürsu is located 12-13 km from Bursa city center, established on a flat plain. It covers an area of 118 km² and its elevation from sea level is 100 meters. To its west are Yıldırım and Osmangazi districts, to its north is Gemlik, and to its east and south are Kestel districts. Of the district's 11,300 hectares of land, 42.8% is agricultural, 46.6% is forest, and the remainder consists of pastures, residential areas, and unsuitable agricultural land. The forest extending from Karahıdır Kavaklarbaşı Hill to Gerdirme Spring has been registered as a 1st-degree archaeological site. There are no geothermal resources or mineral reserves.
Climate and Vegetation
Gürsu exhibits typical climate characteristics of the Marmara Region. Summers are hot (36-40°C), and winters are mild (8-10°C). In autumn, strong lodos storms occur due to air currents from Uludağ. The district's vegetation consists of forest lands, maquis, and pastures. Historical plane and cypress trees are among the natural symbols of the district.
Social Structure
Gürsu is a settlement with a rich cultural diversity. In the pre-Republic period, the district was densely populated by Greeks, and after the War of Independence, settlements were made through population exchange and migration from Greece, Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia, and Batumi. Today, the local people live together with immigrants from Artvin, Erzurum, and the Eastern Anatolia Region. Educational services in the district include 13 primary schools, 10 secondary schools, 9 high schools, and 6 kindergartens.
According to the Socio-Economic Development Ranking prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Gürsu ranks 281st nationwide in Türkiye and 11th within Bursa province.
Economic Structure
Gürsu's economy is based on agriculture and industry. 44% of the 12,000 hectares of land is used for agriculture. Annually, 120,000 tons of fruit (90,000 tons of pears, 20,000 tons of peaches/nectarines, quince, plums, apples) are produced, mainly Deveci and Santa Maria pears. Cucumbers, lettuce, and purslane are grown in 320,000 m² of greenhouses. Livestock farming includes 1,940 cattle, 6,400 small ruminants, and 640 beehives.
Uludağ Organized Industrial Zone (GÜSAB) is the economic locomotive of the district. 233 companies (textile, automotive, metal, food, energy) operate in an area of 185 hectares. With 12,000 employees and 500 million USD in exports, the region plays a role in Gürsu's development. The Yeşilçevre Wastewater Treatment Plant protects the environment by treating industrial waste and provides irrigation water.
Demographic Structure
According to 2024 data, Gürsu's population is 104,867. In 2021, 50.5% of the population was male and 49.5% was female. In the population pyramid, age groups 5-9 (8.92%), 30-34 (8.44%), and 10-14 (8.43%) stand out, indicating a high concentration of young and working-age population. The district has 15 neighborhoods, with Yenidoğan Neighborhood separating from Yıldırım district and joining Gürsu in 2004.
Tourism Potential
Gürsu harbors significant tourism potential in terms of its historical and natural values. Historical plane trees, Ottoman-era civil architecture examples, the Turkish bath, Orta Mosque, and historical mill in the district stand out as elements of cultural heritage. The forested area extending from Karahıdır Kavaklarbaşı Hill to Gerdirme Spring and the remains of the Silk Road in the Kozluca area are important for archaeological tourism.
Gürsu is among the developing districts of Bursa province with its historical heritage, agricultural production capacity, industrial activities, natural landscape, and cultural diversity.
