Urban Recovery Processes for Public Spaces in Middle Eastern Cities

Abstract

In the projects for the reconstruction of war-torn cities, it is particularly urgent to shift the focus from the restoration of individual monuments to the recovery of the urban landscape as a whole. In this context, the design of public spaces can have a driving role as an epicentre of mending, redevelopment and capillary reconstruction of the urban form. In this paper, evaluations of the results of the reconstruction of Nicosia and Beirut give us the chance to think about a possible way to implement a synthetic approach for the Ancient City of Aleppo, focused on the design of public spaces. Actions for post-trauma reconstruction of the Ancient City of Aleppo should therefore underline the sense of place, seeking continuity and consistency with the remaining historic urban fabric, focusing in particular on the terms of authenticity, continuity, connecting tangible and intangible heritage through cultural spaces, understanding cultural expressions and places of cultural significance. By operating accordingly, we will be able to frame urban reconstruction processes as “ecosystems” in which the functional reconstruction of merely physical aspects will be part of a more extensive recovery project of the local society and urban environment.