Historic District Research Articles

Intelligent lighting design of cloud computing platform based on digital twin historic landscape blocks—Take Yu Garden commercial street in Shanghai as an example

SummaryIn recent years, with the development of the Digital Revolution, information technologies such as digital twins and virtual reality are gradually penetrating people's daily learning and living environment. The digital twin historic landscape street has the performance advantages of virtual reality integration, real‐time interaction, independent iteration, and dynamic perception. Taking the historical district of Yu Garden in Shanghai as an example, this paper builds a travel simulation model of the historical district based on the basic elements of the scene service of the digital twin district under the empowerment of “cloud, data and intelligence”. With the digital twin lamps as the physical entity, the passenger flow dynamic simulation data model is constructed. The effectiveness of the model was verified through simulation of the impact of passenger flow changes on passenger flow, and improvements and enhancements were made to smart lighting fixtures in the block. This study explores the rich application scenarios of digital twin historic blocks and creates a scenario‐based service model, which will fully activate various online and offline elements of historic landscape blocks, bringing users a brand‐new immersive experience.

Seismic vulnerability assessment of historical minarets in Cairo

IntroductionMasonry minarets in Old Cairo are highly susceptible to earthquake damage, particularly those not designed or updated to withstand seismic loads. Therefore, regular monitoring is necessary to ensure their safety and detect any deterioration or reduction in seismic performance. The direct loss of a minaret can lead to the collapse or severe damage to the structure itself. The cascading impacts of partial or complete minaret failure can have significant consequences for the immediate vicinity and the broader community. By studying the effects of earthquakes on minarets and developing mitigation strategies, countries can take proactive measures to protect these structures and ensure the safety of people.ObjectiveThis study focuses on a specific type of Islamic architecture: the historic minarets in Cairo. The research aims to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of eight cultural heritage minarets in Cairo, identifying the parameters influencing their seismic behaviour and susceptibility to earthquake damage.MethodsThe research utilizes empirical seismic vulnerability methods and ambient vibration measurements on eight minarets. An empirical approach compatible with the nature and style of the minarets is employed to evaluate their vulnerability using index values and curves. The method's validity is assessed, and areas of conformity and limitations are identified. Ambient vibration tests (AVTs) are also conducted using a temporary seismic network installed at various heights inside each minaret to determine their dynamic characteristics.ResultsThe seismic vulnerability Index (I_V) is calculated for the selected minarets based on the state of each vulnerability parameter. The contribution of each parameter to the final I_V values of the minarets are presented. Vulnerability curves are developed for each minaret, interpreting the conventional vulnerability indexes in terms of mean damage grades for seismic events with varying intensity on the EMS-98 scale. These mean damage grades can also indicate the expected damage levels of structural and non-structural minaret elements for events with different seismic intensity levels. AVTs are conducted at various heights on the selected minarets, and the dynamic characteristics are extracted from the recorded data. Variations in these characteristics are considered significant for structural health monitoring analysis. The peak-picking method is employed to directly extract each minaret's natural frequencies and mode shapes, as changes in dynamic characteristics are relevant to health monitoring analyses.ConclusionsThe recent study examined the seismic vulnerability assessment of eight masonry minarets in the historic Old Cairo district. The assessment revealed vulnerability index values ranging from 10.3 to 26.1, indicating a concerning susceptibility to seismic events among these structures. Vulnerability curves were constructed for each minaret, visually representing potential damage scenarios across different levels of the EMS-98 intensity scale. These outcomes are significant as they facilitate prioritizing interventions to safeguard the most vulnerable minarets. Additionally, a novel empirical period equation was introduced to estimate the fundamental period of minarets in Old Cairo based on their heights. The equation was validated against field measurements and data from the literature. The study is limited by its focus on a specific category of minarets, specifically the historical masonry minarets in Old Cairo. Furthermore, limitations arise from the need for detailed finite element models to capture these minarets' dynamic responses accurately. Therefore, ongoing research involves the development of detailed finite element models and calibrating fundamental periods for the selected minarets. The anticipated results hold the potential to enhance our understanding of the structural dynamics of historical minarets, ultimately guiding the formulation of tailored seismic retrofitting and preservation strategies. These strategies, aimed at preserving these cherished cultural heritage assets, represent our collective commitment to ensure the endurance of these timeless landmarks for future generations.

Exploring the Interplay Between Small-Scale Commerce and Traffic Flow Dynamics in Macao Historical Districts for Sustainable Urban Development

Exploring the Interplay Between Small-Scale Commerce and Traffic Flow Dynamics in Macao Historical Districts for Sustainable Urban Development

Tourism Competitiveness Evaluation Model of Urban Historical and Cultural Districts Based on Multi-Source Data and the AHP Method: A Case Study in Suzhou Ancient City

Urban historical and cultural districts, serving as multi-functional compounds integrating cultural preservation, consumer experience, and economic growth, are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for in-depth tourism under the trend of historical heritage protection and consumption upgrading. Due to the complexity of the construction purpose, inherent functions, and operational management of historical districts, scientifically and rationally evaluating them poses a challenge. This paper attempts to construct an evaluation method for the tourism competitiveness of urban historical and cultural districts based on multi-source data and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. First, based on the model of destination competitiveness and combined with literature research and open-ended expert interviews, an evaluation framework for the tourism competitiveness of urban historical and cultural districts is established, using the AHP method to calculate the specific weights of each evaluation indicator. Then, the corresponding data sources for each indicator and the data processing and calculation methods are further clarified. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed evaluation model, this paper selects three key historical and cultural districts in Suzhou City, calculates the tourism competitiveness of each district based on the proposed model, and collects tourist satisfaction surveys from the three districts for cross-validation with the evaluation results. The experimental results show that the evaluation model is reliably effective in assessing the cultural, commercial, and tourism service aspects of historical districts, thereby providing a theoretical basis for future tourism decision-making information systems and practical applications of historical districts.

Decolonizing a museum: Exhibiting Mexican American mythologies of place in Los Angeles’s historic Plaza District

This article examines how the disciplinary technologies of land use, zoning laws, immigration policy and urban renewal were utilized in the creation of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (LAPCA), Los Angeles’s first museum dedicated to Mexican American arts. I analyse the methods used by LAPCA’s founders, curators and city planners who have deployed the museum’s location adjoining the city’s historic Plaza to situate this institution within the symbolic and spatial jurisdiction of a historic place. In this case study, I begin with an exploration of the earliest foundations of ethnic tourism in Los Angeles’s historic Plaza district to situate LAPCA within a long history of governmental interventions used to create and reframe Los Angeles’s ethnic cultural spaces. I draw upon two theoretical strands – Foucauldian governmentality and Henri Lefebvre’s dialectic of urban implosion/explosion – as my primary tools of genealogical critique. In this article I provide new practical applications for using governmentality as a lens through which we can examine how the ensemble of administrative techniques and procedures used in the governance of populations shape the spaces they inhabit.

The Use of Vertical Gardens as a Network of Urban Navigation Elements with a Positive Impact on Biodiversity and Microclimate in a Dense Urban Environment

Abstract Horizontal green areas are becoming valuable, yet extruded spots, and their constant elimination at the expense of commercial and housing developments is disrupting green infrastructure. Interlocked existing urban structures seldom allow for the creation of parks and larger green open spaces, which could provide a habitat for a wide range of insects, birds, and other small animals. The lack of green spaces causes urban heat islands (UHI) over the cities. Vertical gardens are alternative solutions for urban areas, where it is not possible to increase biodiversity by creating new horizontal green areas. They effectively utilise surfaces that would otherwise be unused and transform them into effective green infrastructure elements. Using the example of the historical city district of Bratislava, i.e., Old Town (Staré Mesto) in Slovakia, we present an alternative approach for resolving the lack of green areas. A case study was conducted to create a map of all the potentially suitable areas for the construction of vertical gardens. We divided these spots into three groups, i.e., walls, columns, and free-standing structures and proposed construction methods for each type. Regarding the placement of potentially suitable areas along the roads connecting important transport hubs with the city centre, we created an original proposal for a district-wide network of vertical gardens as orientation elements for tourists and residents with significant aesthetic merit as well as ecological and hygienic values.

Examining the urban regeneration of public cultural space using multi-scale geospatial data: a case study of the historic district in Jinan, China

Introduction: Historical-cultural landscapes and urbanscapes integrate regional culture, collective memory, urban patterns, living habits, and other related historical and spatial information, and are important places for expressing the values of urban space. This study analyzes cultural landscapes and urbanscapes from the perspective of spatial values, taking the Baihuazhou historic and cultural district in Jinan as an example to analyze the spatial identification of public cultural space. The significance of this research lies in examining the urban regeneration of public cultural space using multi-scale geospatial data from both an objective and subjective perspective. This methdology is based on a large body of previous literature in relation to cultural heritage, and draws on a comprehensive understanding of the field.Methods: This study applies spatial syntax, visual graph, and survey analyses, focusing on urban spatial patterns, spatial culture, and spatial memory as heritage values.Results: The analysis results reveal that historic districts generally do not have good accessibility, predominantly because of the disorganized texture of the buildings and absence of spatial consistency.Discussion: There should be improved dynamic spatial identification and accessibility in older urban environments and enhancement of local spatial identification memory by increasing sightline accessibility. Based on consideration of values, corresponding suggestions are made from the three perspectives of urban space, cultural landscapes, and local collective memories to provide a reference for the protection of the Baihuazhou historic district and promote the preservation and development of similar heritage spaces.

Neighborhood scale emerging from the clustering of residential redevelopment applications in the historic district of Macao

The residential building stock constitutes an integral component of densely built-up, historic districts while posing major challenges to urban renewal and conservation. With peninsular Macao being such a case in point, this study aimed to examine the potential interaction of residential redevelopment by analyzing permit application records from 2014 to 2021. First, the covariates of building attributes were collated, and a logistic regression model was fitted to account for the expected effects of building age, building type (single or multiple units), lot area, and the number of units or vacancies on application propensity. Whether a residential site was located within an urban conservation area, however, did not have a significant effect. Second, random-labeling simulations of the inhomogeneous K-function were conducted for the case–control spatial point dataset for the scenarios with and without covariates. The simulation results detected statistically significant clustering, and visual inspection of the simulation envelopes revealed a neighborhood scale. In exploring the determinants of the clustering phenomenon, reference was drawn from local media coverage, while both positivist and constructivist understandings of scale were mobilized to triangulate our findings, which together suggest a nascent coalition of small-scale residential redevelopment situated in the broader arena of planning policy-making and governance.

Urban built heritage protection and realistic dilemmas: the development process, protection system, and critical thinking of historic districts in Dalian

In China, the northeastern region has preserved many valuable modern built heritage buildings, which are undergoing difficult exploratory protection during the industrial and urbanisation process. Taking Dalian city as a case study, this article retraces the history of Dalian’s opening up and colonial management from the perspective of urban planning and historic district protection and management systems. This article sorts out the influence of national and local institutional policies on Dalian’s urban construction and development to analyse the past evolution, current problems and internal causes of the renovation and protection of Dalian’s typical historic districts. This influence is mainly reflected in the lack of protection and damage done to unofficial heritage, the disconnection between historic districts and the surrounding environments and urban textures, and the Chinese-style transformation and economic decline of exotic areas. This paper calls for attention to and the rapid clarification of the built heritage list, the improvement of planning and protection systems and related supporting policies, and a focus on the protection of the authenticity of colonial heritage. This paper provides strategic guidance for improving the protection of historic districts in Dalian in Northeast China and hopes to serve as a reference for the protection of built heritage in other nonfamous historic and cultural cities.

Landscape Sensitivity Assessment of Historic Districts Using a GIS-Based Method: A Case Study of Beishan Street in Hangzhou, China

Historic districts may be damaged during urban renewal. Landscape sensitivity can be used as a method to judge the ability of a landscape to resist change. This study proposes an improved method for assessing landscape sensitivity based on a geographic information system (GIS) according to the characteristics of historic districts. Based on a previous method, this study adds POI big data for comprehensive evaluation and uses objective criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) statistics instead of subjective methods to determine the weights. The assessment framework uses ecological, visual, and cultural sensitivity as primary criteria, which are further defined by several sub-criteria. The Beishan Street Historic District in Hangzhou, China, is used as a case study, and the results of the assessment are shown in the form of sensitivity maps. The results show that the maps can identify buildings in areas of high sensitivity and provide objective indicators for future conservation. Based on the sensitivity maps, this study innovatively used correlation analysis to reveal important interrelationships between ecological, visual, and cultural sensitivity. Assessment factors such as land use type need to be prioritized because they are more closely linked to other factors.

A Fire Prevention Measure for Disaster Prevention Planning Based on Resident Conditions and Community Characteristics in Preserved Historic Districts/Village in Japan

ABSTRACT Many historic districts/villages in East Asia are densely built with traditional wooden structures that are not resistant to disasters, making them vulnerable to fire and at high risk of large-scale fires. Particularly in Japan, the types of historic districts/villages vary in terms of how they were formed based on where they are located. In addition to the high risk of fire, in recent years, with the aging of the population, there has been a rise in the number of vacant houses and households with only elderly residents, which has led to an increase in the risk of delayed fire detection and reduced fire response capabilities. In this study, we focus on preserved commercial and waving industrial historic districts and a historic mountain village in Japan. Through multiple questionnaires and interview surveys with residents, we examine the use of a fire signal sharing system to control fire damage by sharing fire signals with neighbors to detect and discover fires at a very early stage and extinguish fires early by mutual assistance among residents. As a result, in the surveyed historic districts/village, based on the understanding of the actual living situations and use of buildings, it is revealed that it is difficult to discover and respond to fires at an early stage during certain time periods due to a decline in population in the district/village and changes in building use. Then, through analyzing resident questionnaire results on neighborhood relations and resident awareness of mutual assistance in the event of a disaster, residents’ degree of neighborhood interaction and level of cooperation perception, it is clarified that residents with close neighborhood relations and high degrees of neighborhood interaction tend to have high levels of cooperation perception and will take various cooperative response actions to the extent of initial fire extinguishing. Based on the analysis of the survey results conducted in the preserved historic districts where a fire signal sharing system has already been installed as a fire prevention measure, it is found that the residents who actually took mutual-aid actions related to early fire response when the system was triggered had high degrees of interaction, and especially the resident cooperation during an early stage fire in Takayama Sanmachi is considered to be effective in controlling fire damage.

A Study on Gathering the Opinions of Architecture Students to Enhance User Interaction with Historical Urban Fabric: A Case Study of Tepebağ District in Adana Province

The historical urban fabric is an important part of our cultural heritage, and historical districts are valuable assets that reflect the identity and character of a city. However, over time, what kind of changes, unplanned urbanization, and other factors reduced the authenticity and user interaction of these historical districts. The urban historical fabric, which can be considered as cultural heritage, has the chance to sustain its continuity under the responsibility of various professions, especially the discipline of architecture. Based on this reality, it is inconceivable for an architecture student, who is educated to learn, comprehend, and preserve the historical fabric, to remain indifferent to the cultural heritage of a city. In this context, a study was conducted to gather the opinions of architecture students with the aim of increasing their interaction with the historical urban fabric. The objective was to use the views of responsible architecture students as data in collaboration with stakeholders to improve and enhance the interaction with the historical urban fabric. The study measured the demographic information and awareness of architecture students at Çukurova University regarding the field through a questionnaire. The reasons and frequency of users’ experiences in the area were analysed. Within the scope of the study, participants were presented with sample images from cultural, economic, social, educational, and public open/semi-open space categories within the historical fabric. Using a 5-point Likert scale, the study aimed to determine the preferred value and rationale of these spaces if they were located in Tepebağ. The results of the survey aimed to increase the interaction of architecture students, aged 18-26 (+), with the significant historical fabric of Tepebağ District in Adana Province. The study aimed to gather their opinions and recommendations regarding the historical fabric and to contribute to initiatives that increase the interaction of young individuals with the historical fabric by sharing the collected data with relevant institutions.

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE: A SHOWCASE OF BEST PRACTISES IN HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

George Town in Penang is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia. This article explores the case study of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang, Malaysia, focusing on its exemplary qualities. Including George Town in the UNESCO World Historical List 2008 was a notable achievement in historic preservation and urban growth. The primary aim of this essay is to analyse the effective strategies used in the preservation of George Town's cultural, architectural, and historical authenticity while concurrently fostering sustainable growth by two main primary entities: the City Council of Penang Island (MBPP) and George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI). Implementing these conservation programmes has not only resulted in preserving the city's physical and intangible history but has also revitalised its historic districts, thereby converting them into thriving centres for artistic expression, cultural activities, and tourist attractions. This article thoroughly examines relevant literature, policy papers, and on-site observations to elucidate the significant methods, problems, and results that have characterised George Town's progression as a World Heritage Site. The insights derived from the experience of George Town provide useful lessons for other cultural sites seeking to achieve a peaceful equilibrium between preservation, conservation, and future development.

Regenerating historical districts through tactical urbanism: A case study of Sarpol neighborhood in Isfahan Province, Iran

This paper examines historical urban fabrics' challenges regarding quality of life and visual disturbances despite their cultural and identity value. Regeneration and social-oriented approaches considering social, economic, and cultural dimensions preserve and enhance these valuable materials. Tactical urbanism, with its people-oriented approach, can address these issues. This study focused on Sarpol in Khomeinishahr County, Isfahan Province of Iran. The city's urban structure divides into two parts: despite its active social structure and valuable spaces, Sarpol is a historic neighborhood with significant deterioration. We followed Corbin and Strauss's version of Grounded Theory in the qualitative research methodology. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were employed to select 21 participants from the Sarpol neighborhood for semi-structured interviews. The analysis involved three stages of coding: open, axial, and selective. The themes included religious participation, identity, sustainable social bonds, indigenous dependence, and low environmental quality. The central issue identified was the crucial role of religious and cultural values as a driving force for tactical urbanism, which emerged as the most critical semantic domain related to the research problem.

The Current Situation and Measures of Enning Road Old City Renovation in Guangzhou City

Historic and cultural districts reflect the cultural memory of a specific historical period, but they are also the physical space where real people live and move around, and therefore their conservation is an important part of urban development. This study takes the old district renovation project of Enning Road in Guangzhou as an example, describes the current situation after the renovation, discusses the problems, refers to successful cases of renovation at home and abroad, and proposes renovation measures from the perspective of visitors sense of experience. From the end of the 19th century to the present day, a series of renovation policies have revitalised Enning Road, and the transformation has gradually changed from large-scale demolition and construction to micro-renewal of the city. The development of Enning Road, as a commercial centre with a local historical character, has revealed a lack of renovation for the experience of tourists in terms of travel and safety, as the number of tourists attracted has increased year by year. This paper proposes zoning and beautification of shop decoration, enhanced traffic safety planning in the scenic area and the development of special tourist routes under the conditions of tourist demand.

Palestinian Traditional Architecture and Methods in Designing Dwellings Case Study Old City of Hebron

This paper examines the components and elements of traditional Palestinian dwellings, focusing on those found in the historic district of Hebron. This area is renowned for its agricultural construction and peasant architecture. The study elucidates the formation of these dwellings and their structural, architectural, and constructional elements, as well as the materials employed in their construction. Moreover, this research delves into the history of Hebron, which serves as a vital resource for the study of the cultural history of Palestine, particularly within the context of Islamic civilization. It scrutinizes the urban development of the Arab city and draws parallels with various other Islamic cities, notably in terms of their primarily vernacular architecture, with formal architecture playing a limited role. The research adopts a descriptive, analytical, and documentary methodology to document these components through images and diagrams. It endeavors to address inquiries regarding the current condition and the pivotal elements that have contributed to the construction of traditional dwellings. The study underscores the substantial responsibility entrusted to society, institutions, and engineers for preserving these components during restoration or conservation endeavors. This can be achieved through a comprehensive examination of the authentic foundations of traditional vernacular construction in the city of Hebron.

Cultivation Mode of Innovative Tourism Talents in Colleges and Universities

With the continuous improvement of people's living standards in our country, tourism has entered the stage of prosperous development, and tourism economy has become an important part of our country's economic system, and presents a growing trend every year. In such a big market for tourism talents under the background of growing demand, as important way of talents training in university, not only to train talents with professional experience in theory and practice of tourism, but also has the corresponding innovative thinking and ability, flow of high-quality innovative talents for the society, to promote the sustainable development of the tourism market in our countryg. Tourism plays a very important role in promoting urban construction and economic development. However, in terms of the current urban tourism development and the protection of historic districts, the lack of scientific, reasonable and overall planning is obvious, which hinders the effective development of urban tourism. Firstly, many cities have developed their historic districts by imitating and relocating them, and some have even adopted tourism resources that do not belong to them. Secondly, in the process of tourism resources development, the city realizes the local advantages and values of historic districts, so it adopts large-scale development and utilization of historic districts.

Walking as soft mobility: A multi-criteria GIS-based approach for prioritizing tourist routes

Walking, as the main mode of soft mobility, has become an integral aspect of urban tourism. The development of pedestrian tourist routes plays a crucial role in enhancing the positive walking experience in urban tourist destinations. This research employs a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) with GIS to rank street segments, establishing walking-oriented tourist paths in Shiraz's historic district, Iran. The initial steps involve identifying pivotal criteria through literature reviews and expert surveys. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) establishes criteria and sub-criteria weights using input from 30 experts. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) then prioritizes street segments based on sub-criteria such as traffic safety, image ability and heritage assets, security, land use and activity, accessibility, comfort and convenience, and human scale. Furthermore, a Space Syntax analysis (SSA) is conducted to evaluate the morphology of the street network in the study area and identify streets with potential for pedestrian movement. By integrating these analyses, a prime corridor for a pedestrian tourist route is identified. This study offers planners and policymakers a valuable tool for pre-investment decision-making, aiding the promotion of walkability in tourist-centric areas.

Social Impact Assessment of Reconstruction Projects in the Historical Districts Case Study: Bein-Al-Haramain, Shiraz

ABSTRACT Historical urban fabrics have many valuable attributes, but they are often subject to reconstruction plans, especially when they suffer from economic and social problems. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a process of evaluating the positive and negative effects of large-scale projects on different aspects of society. The Bein-al-Haramain project, which was implemented in the historical district of Shiraz in 1995, is a suitable case for this study because of its magnitude and its location in a deteriorated historical area. The project affected Mansourieh Neighbourhood, a historic area that dates back to the pre-Safavid period. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the impacts of this project on the lives of the local residents from their own perspectives. This aim is pursued by using the participatory approach of SIA in the paper. The research employs content analysis as the method, semi-structured interviews as the data collection technique, and qualitative survey as the research strategy. According to the authors’ analysis, the Bein-al-Haramain reconstruction project had mostly negative impacts on the lives of the people living in the Mansourieh Neighbourhood. The main source of the negative effects was the disruption of the connections between Mansourieh Neighbourhood and its Bazaar and the rest of the city.

Exploring the complex mechanism of the influence of a multisensory tourism experience on tourists’ mental restoration in the research context of historical and cultural blocks

ABSTRACT Increasing social stress threatens people's mental health. Travelling can effectively relieve mental stress, so the role of tourism experiences in mental restoration is gaining increasing attention. However, no research has examined the mechanism of the embodied effect of tourism experiences on tourists’ mental restoration from a multisensory perspective. Based on sensory marketing theory, a model of multisensory tourism experiences and mental restoration is established, and the boundary conditions and configuration of the former on the latter are considered. Two complementary studies are conducted in the context of historical and cultural districts using structural equation modelling (SEM) and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). The following conclusions are drawn. First, tourists’ multisensory tourism experience in historical and cultural blocks indirectly improves their mental restoration through the two intermediary psychological processing functions of place attachment and a perceived restorative environment. Second, tourist involvement plays a positive moderating role between multisensory tourism experiences and both place attachment and a perceived restorative environment. Finally, there are no necessary sensory and psychological conditions for high mental restoration, but there are four types of multisensory tourism experience configurations, all of which enable tourists to obtain mental restoration in historical and cultural blocks.