Historic City Research Articles

A Novel Visual Narrative Framework for Tourist Map Design Based on Local Chronicles: A Case Study of the Songshan Scenic Area

Tourist maps provide tourists with destination information that reflects their unique characteristics and cultural connotations and play an important role in attracting tourists and serving marketing purposes. However, existing designs of tourist maps often ignore the importance of cultural resource selection and the relationship between maps and structural linguistics, thereby affecting the narrative function and representativeness of tourist maps. This study utilizes the local chronicle as a data source and proposes a novel visual narrative framework (VNF) for tourist maps. The VNF combines Todorov’s narrative hierarchy and Roth’s visual storytelling tropes to establish a mapping between map elements and narrative elements. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the VNF, the Songshan Scenic Area was selected as a case study. By applying the VNF, highly characteristic and meaningful colors, figurative hand-painted symbols, and scene symbols are selected and integrated into the map design to enhance the artistic value and narrative of the map. This framework reveals the potential cultural value of local chronicles and can serve as a reference for other historical tourist cities, contributing to the preservation of local cultural heritage.

Wpływ pandemii COVID-19 na zmiany podejścia do zarządzania miastami historycznymi na przykładzie Florencji

Miasta historyczne zyskały w ostatnich latach na atrakcyjności w oczach turystów dzięki modzie na krótkie podróże miejskie (tzw. city breaks) i dostrzeżenie uroków korzystania z przestrzeni historycznych dzielnic. Wzrost liczby turystów w historycznych przestrzeniach miast przyniósł zarówno pozytywne skutki (np. korzyści ekonomiczne, przyśpieszenie procesów rewitalizacji), jak i negatywne (np. pogorszenie jakości życia, rosnące zatłoczenie i ceny nieruchomości mieszkalnych) dla miast i ich mieszkańców. Kryzys wywołany pandemią COVID-19 i związane z nim ograniczenia możliwości podróżowania rozpoczęły dyskusję na temat przyszłości historycznych dzielnic i zmian, jakie powinny zostać wprowadzone, aby ograniczyć niepożądane przez społeczności lokalne oddziaływanie turystyki na śródmieścia miast. Korzystając z opracowań naukowych, danych zastanych i informacji pozyskanych z wywiadów pogłębionych przeprowadzonych przez autora w 2022 r., analizie z tej perspektywy zostały poddane przemiany oraz polityka miejska wobec historycznej dzielnicy śródmiejskiej Florencji, miasta wpisanego na Listę Światowego Dziedzictwa UNESCO. We Florencji w trakcie trwania pandemii była kontynuowana debata dotycząca pożądanych kierunków zmian w podejściu władz miasta do jego historycznego centrum, czego efektem było m.in. wypracowanie wspólnie z mieszkańcami nowego planu zarządzania obszarem UNESCO. Problemy funkcjonowania zabytkowej dzielnicy wyeksponowane przez pandemię stały się motorem napędowym do zainicjowania procesu zmian. Część proponowanych rozwiązań jest już obecna w lokalnych dokumentach miejskich i jest sukcesywnie wdrażana. Kwestią dyskusyjną pozostaje jednak skuteczność wprowadzonych przez władze lokalne instrumentów zarządzania dzielnicą śródmiejską i możliwość ich rzeczywistego wpływu na sposób funkcjonowania historycznego centrum miasta w postpandemicznych warunkach.

Memories Between Architecture and Cinema

Cinemapp is a web application (webapp) that enables the individual or group discovery of the Cinematic Ecosystem of the city of Valladolid. This city is distinguished for its architectural heritage and cinematic history, with numerous cinemas that have vanished and films that have been shot there, thus comprising a unique combination of architectural and cinematic heritage. The application fosters an interactive experience that facilitates the exploration and enjoyment of the city's cinematic history, as well as contemplation of film, media, and new technologies. The project compiles a wide range of historical information and citizen memories in various digital formats, which nourish the graphical database named FilmcityDB. By combining both resources and employing the Valladolid context as an extrapolatable prototype, users can explore different routes and immerse themselves in the accumulated cinematic history of the city since the past century.

PERAN LABORATORIUM DALAM INVENTARISASI CERITA SEJARAH KOTA DI KALIMANTAN BARAT

The aim of this research is to determine (1) the variety of collections owned by the IKIP PGRI Pontianak history laboratory related to the inventory of city history stories in West Kalimantan, and (2) the role of the history laboratory in the inventory of city history stories in West Kalimantan, (3) student activities in the History education study program laboratory.The research method used is a qualitative method with a fixed case study strategy. The research was conducted at the History Education Laboratory of IKIP PGRI Pontianak and the West Kalimantan region. The data sources in this research are student informants and resource persons who can provide information about the history of the cities of West Kalimantan and the role of the history laboratory in inventorying the history of the city of West Kalimantan, the location of cities in West Kalimantan, documents in the form of letters, archives , photos or recordings.The collection techniques used in the research were direct observation, in-depth interviews, reviewing documents and archives (content analysis) regarding the role of history laboratories in inventorying the history of the city of West Kalimantan. Data validity uses source triangulation and method triangulation.The results of the research show that the IKIP PGRI Pontianak History Laboratory hasthree rooms, namely the Spatium Historica Didactica as an office administration room, the Agus Sastrawan Noor Spatium as a discussion and creation room, and the Sudarto Spatium as a West Kalimantan local history room which is used in collecting an inventory of the city's history. The role of the history laboratory in inventorying the city's historical stories is as a center for collecting and storing scientific historical information, and maintaining the accuracy and authenticity of historical stories and providing a deeper understanding of the history of the city and its people.

European historic cities and overtourism – conflicts and development paths in the light of systematic literature review

PurposeThis paper aims to check if destinations with powerful similarities also show similar tourism/overtourism effects that differentiate them from other destinations. This paper gathers and compares data on overtourism in European historic cities already presented in the existing literature and points out features and problems typical for these destinations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper was based on the systematic literature review method, which allowed the author to indicate the most commonly studied European historic cities and the characteristics of overtourism problems.FindingsThe results of this study reveal that several European historic cities share similar tourism development patterns and the overtourism problems manifest numerous similarities. Significantly, these problems are characteristic of historic cities only and partially different from those observed in European urban destinations such as metropolises.Research limitations/implicationsThis study enhances a proper understanding of overtourism and the contradictory results published in the existing literature. This study is the first step in building a more situational approach to overtourism and adjusting the theory to particular destinations' features.Practical implicationsThe outcome of this study offers local policymakers several hints regarding effectively facing the overtourism problems. Historic cities require special attention when actions toward lowering extreme tourism pressure in monumental zones are implemented and residents' concerns about the spread of tourism, including short-term listings, to residential quarters need to be addressed.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study based on a comparison of similar destinations aimed to develop theory and practical implications devoted purely to a limited number of destinations sharing numerous similarities. The set of coherent theoretical and practical implications designed for a narrow group of cities is to be an essential contribution to the development of research and practice in urban tourism.

Jeddah strategic approaches to sustainable urban development and vision 2030 alignment

Abstract This research article provides an in-depth look into the urban development trajectory of Jeddah, a historic port city in Saudi Arabia, which has developed into a vibrant urban center that reflects its rich past and ambitious future. The study systematically explores Jeddah’s journey through different lenses—its strategic geographical location as a maritime and pilgrimage gateway, its historical development dating back to the seventh century and its transformation influenced by diverse cultural and economic interactions. It comprehensively analyzes Jeddah’s social and economic fabric, demographic trends and the impact of these factors on the city’s urban landscape. This article examines the governance and regulatory frameworks that shape development policies in Jeddah and addresses how these frameworks are designed to meet the challenges of modern urbanization, including rapid population growth, infrastructure requirements and environmental sustainability. The research also examines the city’s response to these challenges, focusing on strategic planning, infrastructure development and sustainable urban initiatives that align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This article provides an in-depth understanding of urban dynamics in Jeddah, presenting it as a case study for managing growth and modernization in rapid urban environments.

Architectural integration of renewable energies in historical cities

The principal aim of the project that we present, developed in collaboration with the Consorcio de Santiago [1] and the IDAE [2], is to investigate the possibility of application of sustainable technologies in buildings inside the historical centre of Santiago de Compostela. The idea is try to obtain technologies, designs and components as standard as possible for the application of the solar power in catalogued buildings, analysing diverse particular solutions in order to adjust to the architectural specific requirements of the historical center of the city [3.4,5] and to implement the ideal opposing solutions, as well as the development of a plan of medium-term action for the city. We present an ambitious project, with a double slope: To foment global actions of sustainability in zones of historical interest and realizes an interesting project of research and development in the field of Renewable Energies orientated by his proper nature towards decentralized and local applications, this differential characteristic in the field. The use of renewable energies is not reserved exclusively for the companies, that try to give service to big facilities or to produce electricity for the supply of the general network. On the contrary, a good number of applications can take place in the own housing, turning into quality parameters for his enormous environmental advantages and of improvement into the comfort.

Using a Space Syntax Approach to Enhance Pedestrians’ Accessibility and Safety in the Historic City of George Town, Penang

Contemporary urban development places a critical emphasis on pedestrian environments, especially in historic cities like George Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia. Although survey questionnaires effectively captured public perceptions of issues such as poor road connectivity, weak accessibility, crime and safety concerns in George Town, they fell short in providing a comprehensive understanding of the root causes. This study leverages space syntax theory to model and analyze George Town’s unique pedestrian landscape, aiming to identify strategies for improving pedestrian networks in historical urban landscapes. Space syntax theory, known for revealing structural issues within urban contexts, is applied after a thorough examination of George Town’s urban layout, climate, architectural features, and development policies. George Town employs an informal grid layout widely utilized in British colonial port cities to enhance overall efficiency. The predominant architectural form is the shophouse, which is characterized by a ground level designed for pedestrian movement known as the “five-foot way” and adapted to Malaysia’s climate. Various axis drawing methods for the unique five-foot way under different circumstances are considered. The George Town special area plan (SAP) emphasizing heritage preservation guides development policies, thus requiring an inclusive approach to pedestrian environments. This enhances the practical significance of the current study, with the eastern and northern coastal areas serving as crucial focal points for investigation. This approach results in a comprehensive spatial model that captures the essence of George Town’s pedestrian landscape. Evaluation using space syntax indicators such as connectivity, integration, intelligibility, and choice reveals issues like poor overall network connectivity, inadequate access to key attractions, suboptimal integration, concentrated pedestrian flows, and significant safety concerns, which are exacerbated by limited infrastructure on certain two-way roads and a lack of zebra crossings. The practical implications of this study include recommendations for enhancing pedestrian spaces along identified roads and strategically installing zebra-crossings. This research is significant for its focus on a historical city in a Southeast Asian developing country, deeply integrating local environmental characteristics and providing insights into urban planning and optimization, thereby serving as a reference for similar cities.

Unplanned rapid urban growth in Birjand, Iran (1986–2022)

ABSTRACT This study investigates the transformation of Birjand from a historic city to a rapidly developing urban centre, with a focus on the effects of infrastructure and architectural development initiatives in the context of urban planning history. These processes are spearheaded by governmental entities, urban planners, and development agencies, use urban design, construction, and financial resources to fundamentally transform the urban landscape. The study employs a descriptive-analytical framework and spatial analysis tools such as ENVI and TerrSet software to investigate the historical social transformations in Birjand. The primary objective is to analyse the impact of these changes on the city’s structure, cultural components, and spatial dynamics. This study aims to investigate the effects of development initiatives on the historic areas of Birjand, with a specific focus on the influence of newly constructed streets on the preservation of the city’s historical fabric. The study’s insights are enhanced through the implementation of a more robust analytical framework, which includes the utilization of statistical analysis and comparison studies. The results indicate that there are negative consequences on the historical regions, resulting in changes to their distinctive qualities, cultural importance, and overall atmosphere.

The contamination of in situ archaeological remains: A pilot analysis of microplastics in sediment samples using μFTIR

BackgroundMicroplastics (MPs) are found in all environments: aquatic, airborne, and terrestrial. While their presence is not disputed, their potential impacts are not yet known. ObjectiveTo undertake a pilot analysis of MP contamination in archaeological sediment samples, taken in the late 1980s from two archaeological excavation sites in the historic city of York (UK) as well as contemporary sources close to the same sites, with respect to the presence (if any), levels, and characteristics of any particles identified. MethodsThis study analysed pre-digested sediment samples as follows: n = 3 from Queens Hotel (QH) site and n = 3 Wellington Row (WR) contemporary core-source, and n = 3 QH and n = 3 WR archival-source samples, alongside procedural controls (n = 8), using μFTIR spectroscopy (size limitation of 5 μm) to detect and characterise any MPs present. ResultsIn total, 66 MP particles consisting of 16 MP polymer types were identified across both site and contemporary/archived samples. The highest levels of MP particles, 20,588 MP/kg was identified at the lowest sample depth (∼7.35 m) at archived WR, 5910 MP/kg in the mid depth layer (∼5.85 m) at the contemporary QH site. Of the MPs detected in sediment samples overall, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polybutylene sulfone (PSU), and polypropylene: polyethylene (PE:PP) copolymer polymer types were most abundant; mainly fragmented and irregular shape. ConclusionsThis is believed to be the first evidence of MP contamination in archaeological sediment (or soil) samples with polymers and size ranges measured and while accounting for procedural blanks. These results support the phenomenon of transport of MPs within archaeological stratigraphy, and the characterisation of types, shapes and size ranges identified therein. Through contamination, MPs may compromise the scientific value of archaeological deposits, and environmental proxies suspended within significant sediment, and as such represent a new consideration in the dynamism of, as well as arguments for preserving, archaeological deposits in situ.

Nearby art: A new type of public art practice in the Pearl River Delta, China

With the development and transformation of contemporary Chinese urban areas, the production mechanism, place, and form of expression of urban public art are rapidly evolving. At the same time, urban planning is accelerating the disappearance of the urban “nearby” as a buffer zone and innovation space. Taking the Pearl River Delta region in China, and in particular, the historic city of Guangzhou and the immigrant city of Shenzhen as examples, this paper analyzes how urban groups perceive the nearby environment through the action of art through the evolution of urban culture. This paper proposes “nearby art,” a term that refers to the art form in which urban individuals or small groups from different backgrounds subtly target social issues and practice locally in complex urban surroundings. The concept of nearby art is based on the examination of trends toward diversification in public art. First, groups with different backgrounds have been playing a unique role in public art. Second, the places where public art is situated has extended to diverse and mixed urban spaces. In addition, diverse ways of interacting with public art have enriched the forms of expression of public art. Through nearby art, both creators and participants can better reflect on their present situation in life and rebuild social relations through interaction. This kind of art is increasingly becoming an important part of residents’ daily lives as it creates a more visual and fluid life esthetic. Simultaneously, it is constructing and disseminating narrative elements within urban culture by uncovering and integrating the diverse cultural content.

Remembering with Students. Insights from Two Pilot Education Projects at the Wien Museum about the Holocaust and Nazi Crimes

ABSTRACT With the renovation of the building and the redesign of the Wien Museum's (the City Museum of Vienna) permanent exhibition, the Nazi period is now finally being told as part of the city's history after decades of neglect. The education department was thus faced with the task of including these important and multifaceted topics in our educational programs while still carrying out our everyday work. Based mainly on conversations with experts we distilled five insights that guide our programs: (1) engaging with the students’ lifeworld, (2) working with biographies, (3) covering multiple perspectives, (4) highlighting personal agency within a totalitarian system, and (5) connecting to local sites. After discussing each of these principles, this article explains how we implemented them in our work, using two examples, namely a two-hour school program and a school project lasting several months.

A Study on the Spatiotemporal Aggregation and Corridor Distribution Characteristics of Cultural Heritage: The Case of Fuzhou, China

Fuzhou is an important city on the southeast coast of China with rich cultural heritage resources, and it is a national historical and cultural city in China. The main purposes of this study are the following: 1. To study the current situation and spatial distribution of cultural heritage; 2. To study the construction of cultural heritage corridors; 3. To utilize the holistic characteristics of heritage corridors to integrate the cultural heritage elements along the corridors and achieve the optimal allocation of resources. This study collects data from 605 cultural heritage sites in Fuzhou City and establishes a GIS database. The spatial distribution characteristics of cultural heritage in Fuzhou City are studied using aggregation analysis, nearest neighbor analysis, and buffer analysis in GIS technology. The following results were obtained: there is a cultural heritage corridor in Fuzhou City with the Minjiang River serving as the main land and water transportation line, and the closer one is to the water transportation line, the more intensive the distribution of cultural heritage points; and there are three cultural heritage node areas and one special cultural heritage node area. The study of Fuzhou’s heritage corridor system has important reference significance for the protection of cultural heritage in coastal historical cities in China and even in East Asia and has exploratory value for the holistic protection of cultural heritage and for the planning and development of tourism.

Визуальная репрезентация исторического города в цифровых медиа

The article analyses the visual representation of the historical city in digital media as one of the leading ways of urban identity forming. The author shows that the connection of the image with the city, which is a territorial carrier of visual and symbolic information, and with city digital representation is established and coordinated with the help of an intermediary – digital media, including social networks. On the example of Veliky Novgorod, it is investigated how the image of the city in the media environment shapes the idea of the real urban space for most Internet users. The article identifies the main elements of urban space that emphasize Veliky Novgorod’s status as a historical city: culturalhistorical and natural-landscape. The visual representation of the historic city emphasizes the uniqueness of a place and expresses local identity, which allows to distinguish a certain urban space in the endless flow of visual data. At the same time, the author notes that digital media do not display the entire urban space, but only the part that is recorded and then actively disseminated by Internet users. Such incompleteness of the visual representation of the historical city provokes the emergence of socio-cultural distortions: the reproduction of basic visual patterns works to form a stereotypical image that does not reflect the heterogeneity of the real urban environment.

Enhancing Accessibility to Objects of Cultural Heritage in Cities of Syran Arab Republic: Challenges and Solutions

Historic city centres are significant cultural and economic hubs. However, they often encounter challenges in preserving their heritage amidst urbanisation and modernisation. This article presents an integrated approach that combines theoretical insights with innovative methodologies to address the urban planning dilemmas facing historic centres. Additionally, the article analyses mobility dynamics within these centres using analytical techniques to accurately decipher pedestrian and vehicular movement patterns. The objective of this article is to optimise street intersections and enable informed decisions in city design and infrastructure development through the use of mathematical analysis. The study analyses various transportation elements to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex transportation system by linking them to key aspects. This study presents an integrated framework that promotes the development of adaptable transportation systems in urban environments. The aim is to facilitate innovative solutions and the seamless integration of diverse transportation modes into urban planning frameworks. The development of road networks in historic cities aims to balance cultural preservation with modern transportation integration, striving to maintain authenticity while implementing sustainable solutions.

A Market for Plenty: Immigrants and the Making of the Fulton Fish Market

Founded in the early nineteenth century at the southern seaport of Manhattan, New York, the Fulton Fish Market was, and remains, one of the largest seafood markets in the world. At its heart was a workforce capable of moving hundreds of millions of pounds of fish a year, that endured public suspicion and resisted activist reform, and which ultimately shaped the palate of not only New York City, but America as a country—a workforce that was, in its formative decades, predominantly immigrants. This article builds on pre-existing general scholarship regarding the Fulton Fish Market and introduces perspectives found in contemporary newspapers, memoirs, and other nonfiction writings to study the contributions immigrants made to the identity and functions of Fulton. It adds another piece to the ever-deepening literature on New York City's immigrant histories and foodways.

Historical Siberian Central Cities of Regions: Potential for Development (the Case of Irkutsk and Tomsk)

Historical Siberian Central Cities of Regions: Potential for Development (the Case of Irkutsk and Tomsk)

Research on the protective design of historical and cultural cities from the perspective of urban renewal

Research on the protective design of historical and cultural cities from the perspective of urban renewal

A review of research on the implementation evaluation of protection plans for historical and cultural cities

A review of research on the implementation evaluation of protection plans for historical and cultural cities

Analysis of the Spatial Form of Ancient Cities based on Image Theory: Taking the Ancient City of Zhangzhou as an Example

The construction of historical and cultural blocks in ancient cities is a new direction for the development of tourism in historical and cultural cities. As the core of the famous historical and cultural city of Zhangzhou and an important window of the city's image, the ancient city of Zhangzhou plays a decisive role in the development of Zhangzhou. This article is based on the theoretical study of Kevin Lynch's "Image of the City", and analyzes the spatial form of the ancient city of Zhangzhou from the material form (roads, boundaries, areas, nodes and landmarks) and spiritual form (specialty snacks, traditional operas, handicrafts) ), conducting a study on the individual characteristics and overlapping characteristics of the image elements, revealing that the image elements of Zhangzhou ancient city need to coordinate with each other to ensure the integrity and distinctiveness of the ancient city's characteristics, promote the sustainable development of the ancient city's spatial form, and have an impact on the overall spatial system and human environment of the ancient city.