Prospects of Applying Assemblage Thinking for Further Methodological Developments in Urban Conservation Planning

Abstract

The poststructuralist approach, assemblage thinking, appears less commonly in urban conservation literature. This article aims to trigger a dialogue regarding the implementation of this approach for addressing issues in the problem domain of urban conservation planning. After reviewing the key contemporary methodological developments in urban conservation, the paper reflects on the prospects of applying assemblage-inspired concepts and methods for expanding those of urban conservation research. This article critically reviews literature in urban conservation, heritage studies, urban planning and publications addressing the urban assemblage debate. Taking the strengths and limits of the assemblage approach into consideration, the discussion is closed by making some methodological remarks for viewing the historic city and urban conservation planning processes through an assemblage perspective.