Historical Blocks Research Articles

Paving the Way to NZEB on two Historical Blocks in Lisbon Pombaline Quarter

The 1758 Lisbon Pombaline Quarter reconstruction plan is made of compact rectangular shaped residential blocks, built with a system that complies solid mass construction elements with a light wooden structure. If we take into consideration both constructive and architectural inherent features of the original Pombaline block, it shows the potential to achieve NZEB level if an energy retrofit strategy at a block scale is implemented, instead of the usual single building or fraction approach. The retrofit of historic buildings has raised questions regarding interventions depth and efficiency, as the impact on the built heritage value has to be residual or null while energy-related improvements must be noticeable. With this in mind, this paper intends to analyse and compare the result on energy demand and primary energy consumption of passive, active and BIST/PV systems packages implementation on two original blocks, with the challenge of minimizing the impact on case studies appearance. A Building Energy Simulation methodology is applied using the whole-of-building dynamic simulation software EnergyPlus. The results show that exterior envelope improvements can reduce up to 50% heating and cooling energy demands increasing thermal comfort at the same time. Finally, a combined VRF/Biomass heating solution display the best results on primary energy consumption while photovoltaic and solar thermal systems proved to have an essential role to achieve NZEB performance.

Effects of soundscape perception on visiting experience in a renovated historical block

Soundscape perception could affect visiting experience in different types of urban open spaces. The aim of this study was to verify whether these effects exist in historical districts as well. This was based on a questionnaire survey of 298 visitors in the “Three Lanes and Seven Alleys” historical block in Fuzhou, China. The results indicated that, different soundscape perception and visiting experience indicators could be affected by certain different sound sources. Specifically, natural sounds showed more positive effects on calm and harmonious soundscape perception. Natural sounds and music related sounds showed the most prominent positive effects on satisfaction degree of different landscape types, while construction sound and traffic sound showed the most adverse effects. Construction sound also showed the most negative effects on historical sense, while distinctive impression was much related to water sound and handcraft making sound. Noisy impression showed the most relationships with perception of certain human sounds and music related sounds, while interesting impression was significantly related to historical sounds and natural sounds. In general, positive soundscape perception could contribute to the satisfaction degree of visiting experience. The SEM results indicated that soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness showed more positive effects on historical and modern landscape, respectively, and both of them showed positive effects on commercial landscape. Modern landscape and commercial landscape showed direct and indirect positive effects on historical landscape, respectively. The research results provided theoretical references for soundscape and landscape design of historical blocks in renovation process.

As revoluções passivas neoliberais no pós-URSS: semelhanças e singularidades entre o caos neoliberal russo e ucraniano da década de 1990

As consequências catastróficas das revoluções passivas ocorridas na Federação Russa e na Ucrânia nos anos 1990 somente podem ser compreendidas a partir de dois acontecimentos indispensáveis: a desintegração da ex-URSS e a expansão do neoliberalismo nesses novos Estados formalmente independentes. Desse modo, o fim do bloco histórico soviético e a instauração do discurso hegemônico neoliberal nesses dois países possibilitaram mudanças drásticas em todos os contextos, como político, econômico e social. De uma maneira talvez paradoxal, embora o fim da URSS e a expansão neoliberal sejam dois fatores comuns em ambas revoluções, elas são também os dois fatores diferenciadores. Portanto, o objetivo central deste artigo será explicitar as semelhanças e as diferenças desses dois processos, os quais são profundamente tributários da herança socioeconômica e política do período soviético.

Becoming a Service Provider through Partnerships and Sustained Engagement: Developing Programs with Immigrant and Refugee Audiences in Art Museums

ABSTRACTWhen working with immigrant and refugee audiences, art museums can be unique sites of engagement, healing, and language acquisition through art-making experiences and in-gallery activities. Furthermore, museums can close the gap between service provider and cultural institution by building sustaining relationships rooted in long-term collaboration among organizations, audiences, and community-based programs. The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) began working with refugees in 2010 through partnerships with local organizations serving refugees affected by trauma, torture, and traumatic dislocation. In the fall of 2016, with the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, TMA began to expand programs with immigrant and refugee audiences through a multifaceted initiative called Network Connections. With examples from this initiative, this article will explore how art museums can position themselves as service providers, supporting how immigrants and refugees acquire skills necessary to thrive in their new community.

The Other Coups: The 2018 Election, Between Legacy and Legitimacy

The theoretical and methodological perspective was the materialism historical dialectic with Granscian categories, with concepts of the historical hegemonic block, counter hegemonic block, organicity, domination. The main sources of data used are primary and secondary, which include data collected by the author based on the technique of participant observation of the qualitative method. This social scientific essay analyzes political process of the others parliamentary coup carried out in Paraguay. These socials events were done to promote the Constitutional Amendment for presidential re-election. However, they were aborted by the citizen pressure that culminated in the March 2017 crisis with the death of Rodrigo Quintana, a young leader of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party - PLRA. This sad social event was followed by a series of parliamentary blows in 2018 during the electoral campaign being defined only after the elections of 2018. In this context, the work aims to shed light on the events that preceded the results of the 2018 elections. For this purpose, it is analyzed the different blows that were given in different powers of the State preparing the continuity of the same regime, in the years 2017 and 2018. The conclusion is that a cris of organization within the hegemonic block, first of all. Then, it was a crisis of domination between the hegemonic block and the counter hegemonic block with the final polarization of the 2018 election.

Does Democratic Peace Theory Genuinely Envision Global Peace? A Critical Approach

Democratic Peace Theory has been one of the most hotly debated topics ever since the 1980s. From Kant to the present day, the meaning of Democratic Peace Theory has changed, while the theory nowadays claims in principle that democratic states wage war against each other less often owing to their institutions’ and citizens’ abilities to urge their governments to establish a peaceful foreign policy. At this point, the critical theory offers an alternative explanation for the behaviors of democratic countries. This study was designed as a theoretical discussion utilising the analysis of primary and secondary sources in the field, both in printed and electronic materials. Employing the viewpoint of the critical theory, this paper argues that Democratic Peace is the disguise of hegemonic relations and the product of the historical block. This study revealed that democracies are not pacifist actors in the international realm. As articulated by the critical approach, the study also puts forth that the concept of Democratic eace facilitates the expansionist ambitions of hegemonic powers in the international system by utilizing various humanitarian interventions and serves as a means to maintain imperialist peace. Empirical evidence from the military intervention in Libya further reinforces this argument. Thus, this study asserts the idea to be cautious against the propositions of the Democratic Peace Theory because any activities done in the name of spreading democracy may involve a hidden agenda and disrupt the internal stability of non-democratic countries.

On Adaptability Evaluation and Strategy Research of Historical Block

The concept of adaptability was originated from the “theory of evolution” of biology. Based on the concept of adaptability, there are some literature achievements in the relevant research of historical blocks in China, which are worth summarizing and carding certain existing literature. The adaptability evaluation of historical block is a method for evaluating the integrating degree between the existing environmental condition and the current production and living demand, used for comprehending the actual condition of objective environment. The research on adaptive renewal strategy of historical blocks often uses field research to summarize the renewal optimization strategy for specific regions, specific block types and specific building functions. Therefore, this paper summarizes and classifies the development direction of adaptability evaluation and protection and renewal strategies of historical blocks, summarizes the conventional research methods and steps, in order to help the future research related to the adaptability of historical blocks. The paper is composed of four parts, the first part introduces the concept of adaptability; the second part focuses on figuring out systematically the development direction of adaptability evaluation of historical block, and summarizing the research procedures and research methods of historical block’s adaptability evaluation；the third part focuses on summarizing and classifying the adaptability protection renewal strategy of historical block and introducing the common research methods; the last part describes the author's thoughts and suggestions.

Ideología, cientificismo y neutralidad: una reconsideración critica de la economía desde una perspectiva marxiana-gramsciana

La construcción de conocimiento dentro de la economía mainstream u ortodoxa considera a la abstracción lógica de los supuestos, la formalización de los razonamientos y la enunciación de hipótesis contrastables a partir de la efectividad de sus predicciones como garantía de neutralidad investigativa y rigurosidad científica. Sin embargo, como cualquier otra propuesta metodológica sobre la construcción de conocimiento científico dista de ser neutral. A partir del concepto de ideología en Karl Marx y Antonio Gramsci es posible comprender que la metodología adoptada en la ciencia económica es el resultado de un proceso histórico cuyo objetivo fue dar forma a una teoría capaz de establecer un nuevo sentido común económico que legitimara las necesidades del bloque histórico dominante. Su origen puede rastrearse desde el surgimiento de la revolución marginalista a fines del siglo XIX, pasando por la matematización de la disciplina en la segunda posguerra

Climate Adaptability Construction Technology of Historic Conservation Areas: The Case Study of the Chinese–Baroque Historic Conservation Area in Harbin

In recent years, the conflict between human activities and the natural environment has led to global warming and extreme weather, which has provoked people into thinking about the climate adaptability of buildings. Historical blocks are usually built and designed based on the social environment and climatic conditions at that time; therefore, they generally contain the construction techniques relevant to dealing with the local climate. The study aims to study the microclimate characteristics of a historic conservation area in a severe cold region and to explore how it attempted to achieve climate adaptation. Taking the Chinese–Baroque historic conservation area in Harbin as an example, this paper analyzed and studied the climate adaptability technology and excavated the suitable technology for the block to deal with a severe cold climate through research, field measurements, and numerical simulation. The results showed that compared with a certain modern urban area in the city, the Chinese–Baroque historic conservation area had better ability to resist wind and cold. The compact layout of the block could reduce heat loss and keep out the cold by effectively resisting the cold wind from permeating inside. Compared with the T-shaped and L-shaped courtyards, the rectangular courtyard occupies the largest proportion and a rectangular courtyard enclosed by buildings on all sides had better windbreak performance. Furthermore, when the courtyard space was enclosed by four sides and the courtyard width was the same, when the plane aspect ratio was smaller, the maximum wind speed of the inner courtyard was smaller. The squares in the block had a good performance in cold resistance. At the same scale, the higher the degree of enclosure of the square, the lower the internal wind speed. This study will provide a reference for urban planning and architectural design in severe cold regions.

Social Integration Measurement of Inhabitants in Historic Blocks: The Case of Harbin, China

The inhabitants of historic blocks require more social and planning consideration. A basic means to achieve inclusive planning and social sustainability in such areas is to quantitatively study the social integration of their inhabitants. Based on social survey data for the inhabitants of Harbin’s Central Street and DaoWai historic block in China, this paper establishes the measurement factors that affect inhabitant social integration to construct a measurement model. Statistical analysis is performed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The analysis results reveal five dimensions of inhabitant social integration: behavioral integration, cultural integration, industrial integration, spatial integration, and management integration. Subsequently, the statistical scores for social integration and related factors are calculated. The empirical results indicate that the level of the inhabitant social integration has an impact on the vitality and sustainable development of the blocks. The social integration score of the inhabitants of Central Street is higher than that of the inhabitants of the DaoWai historic block. Among the five dimensions, the industrial integration level of Central Street is the highest, whereas the spatial integration level of DaoWai historic block is the highest. The level of management integration is the lowest for both blocks. The difference in the levels of industrial integration between the two blocks is the highest, and cultural integration is the lowest. Comparing the status quo of the two blocks, the paper concludes that the promotion of inhabitant social integration requires enhancing the dimensions with lower measurement scores according to the specific conditions of the block. In this manner, a fundamental theory for a socially inclusive revitalization of historic blocks is established, thus to enhance social sustainability.

Non-linear asymmetric gap models of residential satisfaction: Formulation and empirical evidence

This paper proposes non-linear asymmetric gap–satisfaction models to assess the influence of the gap between aspirations and perceived residential attributes on residential satisfaction. Two variants of the residential gap are specified based on the difference and ratio between aspiration and reality. Besides the influence of residential gap, the interactions with social-demographics are incorporated in three specifications of gap–satisfaction relationship. Using empirical data collected from eight renovated historical blocks in two Chinese cities, the relative performances of the proposed gap models are compared with truncated linear symmetric gap models and traditional linear (absolute) difference models for housing, living environmental and neighbourhood attributes. The estimation results indicate that overall the non-linear asymmetric gap models outperform the linear gap models. The model fit for housing and living environmental attributes are very good. Satisfaction for housing attributes is predicted best with non-linear asymmetric gap ratio models, while the environmental attributes are best represented by non-linear asymmetric difference models. In case of the neighbourhood dimension, non-linear asymmetric gap ratio models show the best performance, while these models yield a good fit only for two attributes. The interaction effect of social-demographics is found to vary between residential attributes.

Intention to move in renovated historical blocks in China

Using data from 8 renovated historical blocks in China, the influence of social-demographic characteristics and residential satisfaction on the intention to move is analysed using multinomial logit models. To explore the observed and unobserved heterogeneity among individuals, a mixed logit model was adopted. The model results indicate that older residents and residents who live in blocks during the middle renovation stage are less interested in relocating. Higher residential satisfaction will lead to a lower intention to move house, and housing satisfaction and satisfaction with the living environment have a higher impact compared with satisfaction related to other residential dimensions. Moreover, the interaction between neighbourhood satisfaction and renovation stages was found influential, while the unobserved taste variation between residents was not identified.

Protection and Renewal of Historic Blocks Based on Architectural Typology

With the promotion and development of urbanization, historical blocks, with their historical value and particularity, have become the elements to avoid the homogenization of cities, and have been paid more and more attention by scholars in various fields. Taking three different types of historical blocks in Dalian (Nanshan District, Fengming Street, Dongguan Street) as examples, on the basis of typology, this paper compares different blocks, and puts forward such as repair prototype, integrate plane texture, remodel courtyard space and so on, in order to achieve the goal of protecting the historic district.

The Art of Renovation Projects on HANOK in AIDIA 2013 Students Workshop

Asia Interior Design Institute Association (AIDIA) is an academic group dedicated to the development of interior design in Asia. It was co-sponsored in 2000 by three Interior Design Society of China, Japan and Korea. Later, it has absorbed academic groups from many countries and regions such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. With the continuous participation of new members, its influence in the academic circles of interior design in Southeast Asia is expanding. Since 2005, the international student’s workshop has been held every two year by AIDIA. It hopes to encourage teachers and students participated from different Asian countries to think of the interior design education in the context of oriental culture. It also provided a platform for teachers and students to show their talents. Each workshop will be open to all design school in Asia, and generally comprises about 100 teachers and students altogether that are from more than 20 institutions. AIDIA 2013 Students Workshop was held at Konkuk University Graduate School of Architecture in Seoul, Korea for a week. It involved teachers and students from Korea, China and Thailand. The theme of this workshop was "Renovation Project of Bukchon Hanok village", aiming to explore the protection and renovation of historic and cultural blocks through carrying out with a new dimension of the renovation project of Bukchon Hanok village that is known as the most representative Korean traditional residential area in Seoul. During the activity, students were mixed grouping, and their teachers in the guidance were from different institutions. Finally, the infinite imagination of the housing space in Bukchon Hanok village, the understanding and cognition of design themes, the colliding of ideas between different groups were presented through the form of design works. This paper introduces three projects which had different consideration and exploration in the field of art and design respectively from three different angles: etiquette culture, traditional symbols and Zen ideology.

The Exploration of Historical Blocks’ Protection and Renovation Based on the Theory of City Image

Based on the theory of “the image of the city” proposed by Kevin Lynch, the article will discuss the protection and renovation of historic districts from five aspects: road, boundary, nodes, landmarks and region. And in this article, we will analyse three historic districts: Nanluogu Alley in Beijing, Guangsheng Temple in Yixian, Dongguan Street in Dalian. The purpose of this discussion is to explore how to improve the status of historic district in the city.

A gap-theoretical path model of residential satisfaction and intention to move house applied to renovated historical blocks in two Chinese cities

Using data from eight historical blocks in two selected Chinese cities, this article presents the results of a path model, which captures both the direct and indirect relationships between social-demographics, residential satisfaction and intention to move. Using a gap theoretical framework, results of the path analysis suggest that the intention to move house is significantly and negatively affected by residential satisfaction. In turn, residential satisfaction is significantly influenced by the gap between aspired and actual housing and environmental attributes, proportional to aspiration level. Additionally, the intention to move house and the residential gap are influenced by a set of physical and social-demographical profiles. Residents who rent a house have a lower intention to move, while people living in historical blocks that are at the early renovation stage have a higher propensity to move. Among the various social demographical variables, age is found to be the most influential one, showing that older inhabitants have a lower intention to move house than younger inhabitants.

Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Assessment of Urban Conservation in Historic Districts: Case Study of Wenming Historic Block in Kunming City, China

AbstractLike most historic district in China, Wenming Historic Block in Kunming City is facing complex problems in the process of a property-led urban conservation project. This study presents the methodology of fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making (FMCDM) to figure out the most problematic issues among stakeholders in the process of urban conservation. First, this study reviewed related papers and government documents and then conducted fieldwork. This process made it possible to confirm the status quo of the urban conservation project in Wenming Historic Block. Thereafter, this study assessed the project. FMCDM was used to reveal the priority criteria of different stakeholder groups using a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and to figure out the most problematic factors in the process of urban conservation with fuzzy simple additive weighting (FSAW) under the evaluation of four stakeholder groups. The criteria (1) management policy and regulation, (2) public engagement and information openness,...

Spatial landscape transformation of Beijing compounds under residents' willingness

Compounds, the evolution of siheyuan, are residence-oriented courtyards in historic blocks, and are more often than not where the low-income people settle. Under the influence of different historical stages and major events, the continuous evolution of compound spatial landscape structures is the witness and representation of ancient time-honored Beijing culture. The authors take nine compounds in Dongsisantiao Hutong as the object of study, and divide spatial landscape transformation process into four stages after detailed surveys. Then, based on the study of Michel de Certeau on the practice of daily life and in connection with the special social structures in compounds, theauthors summarize the modalities of spontaneous spatial landscape transformation practice in compounds. The study aims to provide reference for small-scale spatial landscape transformation in residence-oriented historic blocks and to probe into the relations between man and space landscape in similar historical space.

The neglected part in historic districts: case studies on the non-heritage buildings in two historic blocks in Wuxi City, China

Purpose – Maintaining a city’s identity and locality is an urgent problem in urban construction. Historical districts are very important parts of a city. However, non-heritage buildings, which make a significant contribution to the character and appearance of historical areas, are facing arbitrary demolition. They are more often ignored compared with buildings on the protection list. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper chooses two historic blocks in Wuxi, in which 256 non-heritage buildings were examined, the SPSS method and the AHP method are used to find renewal modes for the buildings that had not finished updates, and the two blocks are then used as practical cases to validate the matching results. Findings – In conclusion, on the one hand, according to different building categories, different renewal modes are found. On the other hand, this study finds differences in the renewal modes of different historic districts. Originality/value – The study shows a renewal method for non-heritage buildings, which require attention due to their dangerous situation, as these buildings in historical districts also contribute to a city’s uniqueness and locality. These results should be helpful in the planning and practices for urban historical districts.

The characteristics of imagery hot space: A case study of Nanjing

The spatial mechanism of imagery hot spot has been systematically studied by means of spatial analysis, with the solid foundation of exhaustive data preparation. According to questionnaires on residents' recognition of imagery hot spots, spatial data obtained via digitization of historical maps and remote- sensing images, and one- week road conditions are acquired, in order to provide reference to historic preservation and urban human environments.Last but not least, by analyzing the convergences between city image, road integration, formation of characteristic image districts, and the function replacement of historical blocks and imagery hot spot, this paper draws several conclusions.Imagery hot spot is a vital carrier of urban activities that animates urban public space. Due to its historical stability and high recognition, imagery hot spots provide important points of reference, physically and psychologically, that serves as image signs that make up the whole impression of the city. Our study reveals that citizens prefer imagery hot spots closely associated with living facilities and places which enjoy a long history and culture, while skyscrapers with modern flavor are not treasured, despite government assumptions. Nanjing has a long history as an ancient capital with urban images dating back to the Six Dynasties and stylistic influence from the Republican Period, combined with the image of metropolis that can provide various services to the residents. In the process of the urban renewal, the municipal government should abandon its propensity for huge projects and modern styles that convey confusing signals to citizens, and should consider public sentiment and historical contexts with more care.The study reveals correlation between developing imagery hot spots and city road structure. Roads of high integration have good reachability and thereby attract people, while the hot spots themselves strengthen the convergence ability of road space as a result of its visual prominence. In this case, they act as the linkage mechanism for shaping a highly recognizable district. The government can maximize the potential of this mechanism and activate those stagnant districts by establishing imagery hot spots. However, they should also pay close attention to whether mental schema of residents diverges from artificial spatial expansion, which would lead to disparity between image space and entity space and the loss of life sub-nodes during urban changes.Imagery hot spot cluster district should be a characteristic image area that requires key construction component. These districts can serve as the destinations for leisure and entertainment or tourism. They provide a landscape that is closely related to urban culture and create recreational destinations for communication. The imagery hot spot should be evenly distributed within the region and planned in walkable scale. The imagery hot spot can be viewed as a forum for various activities. Both function replacement and spatial reconfiguration of the hot spot can be strategically transformed. Research has shown that a highly developed city center will harm the preservation of the historical heritage sites. A lack of order and coherency among different functions can be a heavy burden of the obsolete road network. The reconfiguration and replacement, under this condition, can not only relieve traffic congestion, improve the declining serviceability of public infrastructure, and protect the history of the city, but also regenerate and establish a clear impression of Hexi New Town.