Abstract
Thematic paths are a central aspect of urban policies for cultural heritage valorization. In fact, thematic paths are central spatial features for structuring the image of a historical landscape. Hence, this study proposes the cultural paths assessment tool (PAST) as a methodological framework for individuating a network of routes connecting cultural heritage components and for assessing their usefulness. Usefulness is herein defined as the potential of a street network to support the meaningful experience of a historical urban landscape. PAST combines space syntax techniques, a geographic information system, and a qualitative analysis within a multi-criteria analysis framework for addressing four aspects of connecting cultural heritage components, including: (i) the individuation of relevant assets; (ii) the identification of the sub-network of most central street segments; (iii) the definition of the street network of thematic routes; (iv) the assessment of the usefulness of thematic paths, according to the criteria of usability, imageability, and accessibility. The proposed methodology, applied to the historical district of Marina in the city of Cagliari in Italy, supports planning and design processes in two ways: (1) by identifying street segments and squares comprising a network of thematic routes; (2) by individuating high-leverage interventions for improving the usefulness of thematic routes. Consequently, the proposed study addresses the need to establish methodologies and analytic tools that support decision making processes for conserving, managing, and valorizing historic urban landscapes.
Highlights
UNESCO [1] defines the historical urban landscape in urban areas as the product of the historical layering of cultural and natural values and attributes
The concept of usefulness constitutes the foundation of the theoretical and methodological framework that we propose for analyzing the quality of cultural paths
The normalized angular choice within an 800 m radius measured the probability that a path or a street segment was to be passed along the shortest routes from all spaces to all other spaces comprising a network within a 800 m radius from the analyzed space, in stage four, the system of cultural paths was identified among the paths identified in stage three by utilizing topological analysis tools embodied in the QGis platform
Summary
UNESCO [1] defines the historical urban landscape in urban areas as the product of the historical layering of cultural and natural values and attributes This conceptualization includes the broader urban context and its geographical setting, emphasizing the historical urban landscape as a central manifestation of cultural heritage. UNESCO identifies a historic urban landscape approach, aimed at identifying, conserving, and managing historical areas by considering the inter-relationships of their physical forms, their spatial organization and connection, their natural features and settings, and their social, cultural, and economic values [1]. Within the historical urban landscape approach, thematic paths, conceptualized as components manifesting the inter-relationships among the tangible components of the cultural heritage and their context, including the site’s topography, physical and biological formations, hydrography, the built environment, land use patterns, and spatial organization, are a central aspect within conservation and valorization policies
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