Continuity and Interruption in Architecture /Case of the historic urban landscape of Finiq (ancient Phoeniciae), Albania

Abstract

The conventional object-based approach that focuses on singular built heritage assets is currently changing towards a more holistic approach where the setting and context of a heritage site as well as its development play a greater role. This paper explores the com- plex interrelation between the built environment and its natural and rural setting in Finiq, Al- bania. It introduces the concept of historic urban landscape in Finiq, taking into consideration the rich heritage legacy of the area mainly represented by the remains of the ancient city of Phoinike located in the hill overlooking the contemporary rural settlement. The purpose of the paper is to understand the special role that the landscape has had through- out history in the place-making of the settlements of this region, in the shaping of the form of the built settlement and in the development of local spatial typologies. Eventually it seeks to highlight the role that the historic urban landscape approach can play in developing a sense of cohesion and flow between historic and contemporary or between built and natural setting. The analysis of the interrelation between built environment and natural setting is undertaken through the use of the architectural concepts of “continuity” and “interruption”. This interrelation is explored in three scales being land use, spatial development as well as building scale also by taking into consideration two factors being time and space. Through offering an overview of the historic traces still present and continuing in the territory and also by highlighting the interrupted relations or traces and their impact in the settlement urban form, the conclusions and findings can help to understand contemporary challenges and develop a series of new interpretations in the Finiq area. The final aim is to contribute to the general discourse in of considering relationships between historic built areas and their setting in a more comprehensive and integrated way.