Historic Center Research Articles

Compensatory practices for the renovation of public spaces in the historical environment of cities

The experience of revitalization of public spaces in the historical environment of cities in the practice of foreign and domestic design experience is analyzed. The task is to determine the place and role of modern art and modern architecture in the life of the historical city center in an environment filled with cultural heritage objects. The foreign and domestic experience of practical accent solutions used as temporary, compensatory practices for the renovation of public spaces in the historical environment of cities is considered. The potential of a new perception as a tool for renewal and an integrated approach to solving the strategy for revitalizing public spaces of historical city centers is revealed.

The historic city of Benghazi in Libya: Towards a holistic post-conflict reconstruction

ABSTRACT In the aftermath of armed conflicts, societies grapple with profound impacts on historic city centres, with cultural heritage damage intensifying crises in environments, identities and sense of place. This paper addresses the under-documented post-conflict journey of the Libyan city of Benghazi, focusing on the sudden demolition of its built heritage in March 2023. Grounded in a mixed-methods approach, this study explores reconstruction complexities in post-conflict emerging states through empirical research and a humanistic lens. In addition, the authors investigate aspects, such as the stakeholder’s opinion and the community’s reaction and expectations. The findings reveal that while post-conflict situations globally are inherently complex between balancing change and continuity, the case of Benghazi is exacerbated by political fragmentation, top-down reconstruction approaches, and lack of coordination between decision-makers and the community. The results of the survey indicate that most respondents support the preservation of their cultural heritage. This research concludes that stakeholders in Benghazi should adopt a nuanced approach that aligns with sustainable aspirations for a better future while retaining historical continuity. This paper contributes to the broader post-conflict reconstruction literature by offering insights for cities facing similar challenges and emphasizing the imperatives of inclusion, transparency, justice, and equity during the reconstruction process.

MAGUS (Model for the Analysis of Geomorphological Urban Systems): From Conception to Validation on the Historic City Center of Turin (Italy)

This study introduces and tests the MAGUS (Model for the Analysis of Geomorphological Urban Systems), a GIS-based methodological framework designed to analyze the complex interplay between urbanization and natural landscapes. Focusing on the historical evolution of Turin city center (Italy), the research employs an interdisciplinary approach to examine how urban expansion has interacted with pre-existing geomorphological features. The study leverages historical documents, digitized and georeferenced within a cartographic space, to reveal the relationships between natural and anthropogenic landforms from the Roman period through the 20th century. A key innovation of MAGUS is the integration of Multi-Temporal Markers (MTM) and Volumetric Unit of Building (VUB), which enhances the accuracy of historical data analysis. The results demonstrate that urbanization significantly alters the natural landscape in the historic city center of Turin, where the stratification of urban expansion phases partially obscures the original landform. By overlaying topographical data with historical urban expansion maps, the research highlights the concealed geomorphological elements beneath Turin’s urban fabric. This interdisciplinary study not only contributes to the field of urban geomorphology but also provides a foundation for future research into the impacts of urbanization on natural landscapes, which is increasingly critical as urban populations continue to grow.

São Luiz do Paraitinga: o rio e os cenários pós-enchentes

The city of São Luiz do Paraitinga has had a unique trajectory in relation to the context of cities in the Paraíba Valley region, in São Paulo, Brazil. Since the foundation of its settlement and the planning of its layout in the 18th century by Morgado de Mateus, the town has remained on the fringes of regional development, playing a less important role in the coffeeproduction circuit, which has allowed certain local traditions to remain, such as the caipira culture, the rural way of life and the religious festivities that are still local attractions today. In 2010, an unprecedented floodswept through its historic center. Buildings made of wattle and daub were unable to withstand the water and collapsed, with partial and total damage remaining. The reconstruction of the city, as well as the landmarks listed at state and federal level, represent a unique case among similar Brazilian cases, which justified a more in-depth study. The 1982 Conselho de Defesa do Patrimônio Histórico, Arqueológico, Artístico e Turístico do Estado and 2010 Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional registrations reiterated the importance of the city center, its architectural ensemble and its landscape, as it was one of the first planned foundations. However, the social, cultural and economic contrasts between the Historic Center and other neighborhoods in the city raise the question of the effectiveness of landmarks and their management as a Historic and Landscape Heritage. In 2022, the cycle restarted and a flood again caused damage to at least 120 buildings. Faced with this fact, the question arises of how to preserve a landscape that is permanently at risk.

Building Information Modelling from Cadastral Plans and Application to an Italian Case Study Building Using Innovative Strategies

This paper explores the applicability of different methods to construct a Building information System Model (BIM) from 2D plans and, more specifically, cadastral plans. The explored procedures use three different approaches to build BIMs: one manual, one semi-automatic based on Rhinoceros/Grasshopper, and one based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). To analyse the performance of the three methods, the case study of a masonry building located in an Italian historic centre is used. The fastest is the AI-based method, although it has some limitations in automatic recognition of some objects. This latter aspect was further explored by analysing a very large dataset of cadastral plans. The results show good recognition of wall elements, but problems arise in the recognition of other elements, such as doors and windows. The manual method, on the other hand, allowed for the construction of a detailed model of the considered structure. However, the method requires strong user interaction and longer time frames than the AI-based method. The semi-automatic based method requires quite a lot of pre-processing but through an algorithm in Grasshopper a fast and detailed modelling of the structure is obtained. The paper also outlines future scenarios for the full exploitation of cadastral data.

Building Information Modelling from Cadastral Plans and Application to an Italian Case Study Building Using Innovative Strategies

This paper explores the applicability of different methods to construct a Building information System Model (BIM) from 2D plans and, more specifically, cadastral plans. The explored procedures use three different approaches to build BIMs: one manual, one semi-automatic based on Rhinoceros/Grasshopper, and one based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). To analyse the performance of the three methods, the case study of a masonry building located in an Italian historic centre is used. The fastest is the AI-based method, although it has some limitations in automatic recognition of some objects. This latter aspect was further explored by analysing a very large dataset of cadastral plans. The results show good recognition of wall elements, but problems arise in the recognition of other elements, such as doors and windows. The manual method, on the other hand, allowed for the construction of a detailed model of the considered structure. However, the method requires strong user interaction and longer time frames than the AI-based method. The semi-automatic based method requires quite a lot of pre-processing but through an algorithm in Grasshopper a fast and detailed modelling of the structure is obtained. The paper also outlines future scenarios for the full exploitation of cadastral data.

Green Connections: Adaptive, Integrated, and Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Historic Centres

Choosing adaptation and mitigation actions, through nature-based solutions, fosters the ecological transition process, which is necessary to face the challenges of climate change. However, these interventions are often discontinuous and disconnected, especially within dense and delicate urban fabrics such as historic centres. The research proposes a multi-scalar methodological approach aimed at defining an integrated design tool to improve the microclimatic well-being, accessibility and aesthetic quality of open spaces located in consolidated urban environments. Through the synergy between natural, technological and social components, the aim is to create replicable minimum intervention units designed to foster democratic and ecosystemic connections.

New Approach to Identifying Barriers and Potentials in Peripheral and Less-Known Areas Using a Multi-Criteria Analytical Matrix

The purpose of the article is to present the author’s methodology for identifying and assessing potentials and barriers occurring in various locations related to cultural tourism. The research aimed to develop a methodology to identify barriers and potentials for tourism development in peripheral and less-known locations. The potentials and barriers identified in a given location are important determinants of the development of cultural tourism and therefore economic development in the mentioned area. The identification of development potentials and barriers refers to the existing features of a given area or place and factors that activate or limit the possibilities of its using cultural resources. The study was based on the analysis of eight case studies of destinations with interesting cultural values. The entire series of analyses addressed various aspects of these destinations. Areas of different sizes and scales were considered, including areas in transboundary regions, rural areas, historic city centres, and archaeological or industrial sites. The work presents the author’s methodology for integrating the various elements that define the features and factors of cultural tourism and establishes a framework for a strategy for its sustainable development. To achieve this, a tool in the form of a comprehensive matrix was developed to assess the situation of each pilot site. Based on this tool, the pilot sites identified key features or factors as a barrier or potential and furthermore defined their territorial scope and their impact on their chosen dominant types of tourism. Barriers and potentials were identified based on a set of 47 previously developed features and factors. During the research, 38 most important potentials and 15 barriers were identified. The tool presented in the paper is comprehensive and universal, so it can be applied to any destination.

Formal and Composition Stability of Ekaterinburg Historical Center

Preserving the city structural elements of architectural and urban planning culture, is currently the most important task. It is necessary to achieve a sustainable development, preserve historical heritage and cultivate a careful attitude towards the culture of the Russian Federation. It is important to take into account the morphological integrity of the historically developed urban environment, which is considered through the prism of formal compositional stability. The article presents the analysis of the architectural and urban development to identify the most stable structural elements of Yekaterinburg. Systematic and historical approaches are the methodology of the study, which allows to consistently analyze the extensive material using urban planning and retrospective analysis.The article proposes periodic formation and development of the structural elements of the historical center from the beginning of the city formation to the present, including six periods: pre-reform, post-reform, pre-war period, war and post-war period, developed socialism and perestroika, postSoviet period. Structural elements of the historical center are reconstructed, reflecting the evolution of the formal and composition aspect of the city in each period of its historical development. Lost and most stable structural elements of the city are identified and can be protected as heritage.

Real-Time Monitoring of Visitor Carrying Capacity in Crowded Historic Streets Through Digital Technologies

This paper addresses methodological issues related to the identification and monitoring of visitor overcrowding and congestion situations in historic centres. Once the visitor carrying capacity was estimated for public spaces, taking into consideration the standards of quality and comfort for visitor experience and those related to the desired conditions for heritage assets’ conservation, digital real-time monitoring tools were implemented in an experimental urban area in Valencia, Spain, in order to know, through the establishment of proxemic triggers, when the standards were violated (or may soon be violated); then, the carrying capacity was exceeded, and management actions may be required. The results show that these digital monitoring tools are very efficient and accurate in micro-scale public spaces, user-friendly and affordably priced.

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on road traffic and noise pollution of the urban street, a case study from Krakow, Poland.

The study determined the impact of restrictions introduced by the Ministry of Health in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic on traffic and sound pressure levels in the university building and its immediate vicinity. Mickiewicza Street was selected for the study. It is one of the city's busiest streets, located relatively close to the old historic center, and is the main artery connecting the north and south of the city. There are residential buildings on this street, but primarily offices and institutions, as well as schools and universities. Noise near the street and in buildings located relatively close to the road can be a serious problem in places where peace is required (e.g., libraries, reading rooms, university halls). Therefore, the acoustic comfort needed in these places may be disturbed, and the perception of knowledge acquisition may be limited. The aim of the work was achieved through measurements and analysis of street traffic intensity and sound pressure levels, taking into account pandemic restrictions. Then, statistical analyses were performed, which showed significant variability in traffic intensity and sound pressure values in individual periods of the pandemic. The pandemic's beginning was mainly characterized by a significant decrease in the above data, deviating from the norm. In the pre-pandemic period, an average of 47,733 vehicles passed through the street daily, and the median sound pressure was Leq.OUT = 62.0 dBA outside the building and Leq.INS = 44.0 dBA inside. During the greatest restrictions, a period called "lockdown," the number of cars driving decreased a little to an average of 44,153 per day, but there were days with 10,000-20,000 cars passing. In turn, noise decreased to 59.9 dBA for Leq.OUT and 43.2 dBA for Leq.INS. Between the first and second waves of infections, traffic was comparable to the post-pandemic period (an average of 69,027 cars per day), and noise also increased to Leq.OUT = 64-65 dBA and close to Leq.INS = 47.5 dBA. Studies have shown that noise on Mickiewicza Street is mainly caused by traffic (correlation coefficient: r = 0.92 for Leq.OUT and r = 0.86 for Leq.INS). The sound pressure level is high outside (Leq.OUT = 63.9 dBA) but relatively low inside the building (Leq.INS = 47.0 dBA) and should not negatively affect university staff and students (Leq.WH < LWH.acc). Based on the analyses, three stages show society's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) fear of the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) relaxation after restrictions; (3) getting used to the COVID-19 pandemic. These periods did not correlate with the development of the pandemic or the number of people infected and dead.

Revisiting building height restriction policy in the historic center of Seoul: Exploring performance-based height management using view shadow simulation

This study empirically explores 3D isovists to explore an alternative approach to a 90 m height cap in Seoul’s historic center. We introduced the concept of “view shadow” in the city center to explore potential room for growth: (1) areas hidden by existing buildings and (2) areas visible but not altering the current skyline. The proposed approach integrates the concept of view shadow cast by existing towers to minimize visual impact and preserve iconic and historic views. The simulation findings indicate that a significant portion, approximately 31 sites or 58.5% of the total, can accommodate taller towers than 90 m without compromising the integrity of the historic skyline. The study demonstrates the ability to increase the floor area by 74% and up to 137% from existing conditions to revitalize Seoul’s historic center.

Assessment of indoor radon levels at multiple floors of an apartment building in the historic center of Rome (Italy): a comprehensive study

The urbanized area of Rome is largely built over volcanic deposits, characterized by a significant radionuclides content and consequently a high radon emanation potential. An accurate monitoring of workplaces and residential dwellings constitutes a first step towards mitigating the indoor radon exposure. Since radon diffusion dynamics involves complex interactions among many environmental parameters on different time scales, a proper assessment of radon concentration variations can be better achieved by means of active monitoring approaches. We present here the results of 1 year of continuous measurements conducted in six premises (five apartments and a basement) at different floors of the same building in the Esquilino district, in the historical center of Rome. Collecting annual series of radon concentration enables us to identify fluctuations over a seasonal scale, with radon generally decreasing in the warm season. The simultaneous tracking of different floors should cancel the influence of geogenic radon and of building characteristics like age, typology, and construction materials. While the basement shows the highest radon concentration, indicating a major contribution from the ground, we observe indoor radon levels comparable at all the upper floors, questioning the common belief that high-risk exposure be limited to the lowest storeys. The use of active devices makes it possible to discriminate between average indoor radon measured during the day and overnight, when residents are more likely to be at home. Our analysis provides the characterization of the dynamics of the gas emanation and transport inside the buildings and of its temporal fluctuations, in relation to the environmental and meteorological conditions. Since the experiment was performed in the Roman urban contest, we cannot ignore the specificity of the retrieved data, affected not only by endogenous factors like life habits relative to ventilation and conditioning of the apartments, but also by exogenous factors, among which the warmer microclimate compared to the surrounding suburban and rural areas, due to the effects of urbanization (urban heat island effect).

V.P. Astafiev National Centre

The article presents materials on creation of the historical and cultural centre of Victor Petrovich Astafiev within the framework of the concept of sustainable development of Ovsyanka village in the Krasnoyarsk region timed to the 100th anniversary of the great Siberian writer.

Small Historical Centres and Their Connection with The Landscape: Fragility and Complexity in Italian Contexts

This paper addresses the issues of fragility and complexity of small towns, particularly regarding the Italian case. Results define a possible conjunction between the landscape historical characteristics and the creation of circuits for the usability of smaller centres that can be connected to each other, based on their features. A prototype schedule, including GIS elaboration, is the novel proposal illustrated in the paper: it derives from the investigation carried out within the Working Group of the Italian Ministry of Culture, aimed at defining a Charter for Small Villages. The approach innovativeness consists in the comparison methodology between different landscape units that can also be extended to similar cases, defined on the basis of the involved factors matrix.

Contribution and challenges of private investment in the revitalization of Jijel's Colonial Center (Algeria)

The rapid urbanization in Algeria, driven by substantial demographic growth and rural migration, has resulted in the neglect of historic city centers in favor of suburban areas. However, since the 2000s, a growing awareness has prompted urban revitalization and building renovation initiatives, primarily in major cities like Algiers, Oran, and Constantine. Meanwhile, older districts in small and medium-sized towns have been left to deteriorate, lacking appropriate renovation projects. Urban management authorities tend to enforce regulations without adopting a holistic approach to urban planning. In Jijel, a town located in northeastern Algeria, a specific colonial center has experienced rapid deterioration, despite its relatively young age, due to unique circumstances. The limited involvement of the public sector has paved the way for private investment. Property developers have played a pivotal role in the renovation, focusing on collective housing projects complemented by ground-floor commercial spaces. This study aims to analyze the role and impact of private investment on the colonial center, with a specific focus on the exclusivity of this investment and its effects on attractiveness and revitalization.

La Casa Virreinal como arquetipo. Análisis comparativo de cuatro viviendas en Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala

This article presents a contribution to the study of the architectural composition of Modest Residential Heritage built in the Historic Center of San Salvador in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The objective is to identify patterns in the spatial organization of these dwellings, particularly the "casa patio" typology, which exhibits continuities from the colonial (virreinal) period to the republican era. Due to the lack of residential buildings from the virreinal period in San Salvador, four cases of virreinal houses from Antigua Guatemala, the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala to which the province of San Salvador belonged, are analyzed. The methodology employed includes the comparison of the selected cases using Classification Schemes to graphically interpret three architectural elements: the patio with its corridors, the axis of access through the zaguanes (gateways), and the interior-exterior relationship. The results show that the patios play a fundamental role in the organization of spaces, and the architectural composition emphasizes order through the use of corridors. Additionally, the path from the entrance through the zaguanes to the chiflones (narrow passageways) connecting to other patios follows an angled route to avoid direct visibility between them. The comparative study reveals that the spatial organization of the four analyzed examples exhibits continuities in the distribution of spaces, potentially contributing to defining a typology of "Hispanic-American virreinal house" that is regionalized according to site-specific determinants. ILIA: Investigaciones Latinoamericanas en Ingeniería y Arquitectura, No. 01, 2024: 67-74.

GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN FOR THE STABILIZATION WORKS OF THE LETTOMANOPPELLO LANDSLIDE (ABRUZZO, ITALY)

In order to stabilize the landslide of Lettomanoppello, the stabilization works are finalized to reduce/control the causes and to mitigate the economic, social, and environmental risks. A careful geotechnical design, of the stabilization works can allow an economic recovery of the cost by means of a virtuous and profitable process to produce electric energy. The landslide of Lettomanoppello, located in Central Italy (south-west of the city of Pescara) is a large, very complex active landslide. Slope instability phenomena, often triggered by intense rainfall and seismic events are recurrent in this region of Apennines and frequently result in serious damage to the historical-environmental heritage and in dreadful economic losses. The stability of slope is mainly affects by the hydrogeological conditions of the area characterized by a complex drainage system. Various stabilization works were executed along the slope during the years. The paper presents the studies (geological and geotechnical characterizations) and a general plan of the works required to stabilize the entire slope. The general stabilization project includes different types of works: (i) structural works (retaining walls), effective in short term; (ii) drainage works (tunnel for deep water drainage), effective to medium-long term, aimed at reducing/controlling the major causes of the landslide; (iii) protection from erosion at the toe of slope and surface drainage works. The tunnel crosses a horseshoe shape underneath the historical centre of Lettomanoppello and the elevations of its mouths are at 296 m a.s.l. The drainage waters will be conveyed to pipe towards a hydraulic turbine located at 206 m a.s.l. in the lower part of the slope. Furthermore, the geometry of the cut-off retaining walls at the toe slope are conceived as foundations of aeolian turbines.

Urban Historiography and Graphic Reconstruction of a Historic Area in Valencia, Spain

The conservation of cultural heritage is a well-established fact recognized by public administrations, the scientific community, and society at large. Understanding this heritage strengthens the historical memory of communities. However, there is a type of heritage that, as it disappears or evolves over time, cannot be physically recovered: the urban fabric of historic cores. This article aims to implement a system for integrating historical urban data into a Geographic Information System (GIS) to enable the graphic recovery of urban evolution within a territory. This system facilitates the storage of alphanumeric and graphic data in a centralized database, providing a holistic view of the transformation process of a historic center’s landscape. This case study focuses on an area in the historic center of Valencia, a territory influenced by multiple cultures since the city was founded by the Romans. Each culture has altered the spatial structures within the area. Georeferenced documents from historical archives, historical cartography, and the scientific literature were utilized for this study. The results have been integrated into the current cartography of Valencia in the GIS, producing plans of successive urban stages through the overlay of historical maps and current cartography.

Characterization of the remaining material and mechanical properties of historic wooden foundation piles in Amsterdam

The majority of the bridges in the historic city centre of Amsterdam are supported by wooden foundation piles. Most of these were constructed 100–300 years ago, currently raising concerns about potential safety issues. The wooden piles under the bridges remain entirely under the water table, potentially subjected to bacterial decay in anaerobic conditions. Bacterial degradation proceeds at a slow rate, allowing the piles to perform their function for many years, although causing a reduction of their load-carrying capacity over time. To this end, a large experimental campaign was conducted to characterize the material and mechanical properties in relation to biological decay of 60 spruce and fir piles, dated back to 1727, 1886 and 1922, retrieved from two bridges in Amsterdam. Large-scale compression tests were carried out on 201 pile-segments extracted from head, middle-part and tip of the piles to determine their remaining short-term compressive strength. Micro-drilling measurements were conducted on each pile and analysed with a TU-Delft-developed algorithm, aimed at determining the soft shell – the width of the decayed outer layer of the piles’ cross section. Micro-drilling allowed to accurately assess the remaining sound cross section of the pile, which resulted to be well correlated to its mechanical properties. The extent of decay throughout the cross-section of the piles was assessed within sapwood and heartwood through experimental models from literature and validated with Computed Tomography (CT) scanning. This allowed to identify that bacterial decay was only present in the non-durable sapwood, even in very degraded piles. Moreover, the soft shell resulted to be rather uniform along the piles’ length. The analysis of decay, supported by micro-drilling and CT scans, allowed to develop experimental equations to predict the remaining short-term compressive strength along the pile length. The micro-drilling technique is now used on a large scale in Amsterdam, supporting the assessment of the remaining load carrying-capacity of wooden foundation piles in the city, aiding in the planning of conservation, maintenance and preservation strategies.