Sacred Spaces as Centres of Urban Regeneration

Abstract

Historically, it has been recognised that urban religious spaces hold great significance in the majority of city centres and ancient cities, serving as unifying forces within the urban environment. Nevertheless, as time passes, these areas progressively diminish in value and significance, transforming into degeneration zones characterised by crime, unmaintained green spaces, and urban voids. While these locations possess the capacity to serve as catalysts for urban renewal throughout the entire city, given their status as vital thoroughfares in historic towns, they must regain their significance and provide the city with social spaces, open spaces, and economic development. The objective of this research is to demonstrate the influence that religious spaces have had on the revitalization of Old Cities. The fundamental approach to research involves examining the instance of Jammu Old City. The Urban Religious Spaces of Jammu are crucial to the evolution and morphology of the city. These areas of the city have historically served as hubs for public and communal activities. However, this significance has diminished over time, resulting in the emergence of a scarcity of social spaces within the city. Restoring the city's urban communal spaces would enable it to fulfil its social, economic, cultural, and environmental requirements, in addition to regaining its former reputation as the "city of temples." Keywords : Urban regeneration, urban religious spaces, Sacred Spaces, Jammu, Temples of Jammu.