Abstract
Historic urban landscapes (HULs) are composed of layers of imbedded tangible and intangible features such as cultural memories. As the collective memories of city inhabitants, cultural memories can affect elements of social sustainability such as health, well-being, community identity, place perception and social engagement. Utilising the popular Zanqit Alsitat (also known as ‘Zanket el-Setat’ or ‘Zane’t El-Settat’), the only remaining historical street market in Alexandria, Northern Egypt, this research proposes a theoretical model for recalling and continuity of cultural memory features in HULs, which can be used to achieve social sustainability. The research explored the site by applying a qualitative methodological approach through semi-structured in-person interviews in the study site, along with analysis of comments obtained from a research-purposed social media (Facebook) group. A qualitative data management software (NVivo12 programme) was utilised for interpretation and charting the features of stored cultural memories relating to this place. The study indicates that educing and maintaining the features of cultural memory in HULs contributes to social sustainability through its influence on the formation of place identity, sense of place, civic pride and quality of life. This framework for social sustainability in HULs can be applied by engaging social groups through participatory planning.
Highlights
Urban transformation is affecting the identity of cities and the experience of residents, especially in historic cities
We aimed to study the inter-relationships between these main concepts, such as Historic urban landscapes (HULs), cultural memory, place identity, sense of place and social sustainability
The qualitative content analysis for the on-site interviews and the Facebook contributions of Zanqit Alsitat historical street market revealed the processes of maintaining cultural memories in HULs in relation to its contribution to place identity, sense of place and social engagement to drive social sustainability—the following findings were extracted: 3. Results
Summary
Urban transformation is affecting the identity of cities and the experience of residents, especially in historic cities. The UNESCO led actions recommended a remedial plan for the social and cultural fragmentation that results from uncontrolled urban development in such settings [1] These recommendations were inclusive in defining the HUL as ‘the urban area understood as the outcome of a historic layering of cultural values and natural attributes, that extends beyond the idea of “ensemble” or “historic centre” to involve the wider urban context and its geographical setup’ [2]. Cultural memory is studied in various interdisciplinary sciences, including psychology, sociology, history and anthropology, but its potential contribution to urban development has rarely been recognised It is an important aspect of urban landscapes such as cities where—as discussed in this paper—cultural memory is essential for successful place making and the maintenance of social and cultural identities
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