Historic Urban Landscape Research Articles

Image of a Sacred City: Portraying Sacred values of Historic Urban Landscape of Sylhet city, Bangladesh

The Historic Urban Landscape Approach by UNESCO presents a new perspective on urban conservation by visualizing cities as a living cultural landscape, changing the traditional idea of the "Historic city” concept. Like many Indian sub continental cities, the cultural-religious spaces have continuously shaped the urban morphology of Sylhet over time and given it an identity as a sacred city. The purpose of this study is to identify Sylhet's spiritual layers through cultural mapping and attempt a critical assessment of the sacred scapes' connectivity to the city's historic urban landscape. This mapping method consists of four methodological steps: proper identification, data collection, documentation, and digital mapping of cultural resources. This research will give heritage scholars better insight into the sacred roots of the historic urban landscape process. The spatial layers of religious heritage sites can be used as an essential instrument for urban planning and to develop a heritage-led vision for the city.

Heritage Corridor Routing Method From Historic Urban Landscape and Digital Footprint Perspectives—The Case of Historical Urban Area in Nanjing, China

Heritage Corridor Routing Method From Historic Urban Landscape and Digital Footprint Perspectives—The Case of Historical Urban Area in Nanjing, China

Sensing the Cultural Significance with AI for Social Inclusion

Social Inclusion has been growing as a goal in heritage management. Whereas the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) called for tools of knowledge documentation, social media already functions as a platform for online communities to actively involve themselves in heritage-related discussions. Such discussions happen both in “baseline scenarios” when people calmly share their experiences about the cities they live in or travel to, and in “activated scenarios” when radical events trigger their emotions. To organize, process, and analyse the massive unstructured multi-modal (mainly images and texts) user-generated data from social media efficiently and systematically, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shown to be indispensable. This thesis explores the use of AI in a methodological framework to include the contribution of a larger and more diverse group of participants with user-generated data. It is an interdisciplinary study integrating methods and knowledge from heritage studies, computer science, social sciences, network science, and spatial analysis. AI models were applied, nurtured, and tested, helping to analyse the massive information content to derive the knowledge of cultural significance perceived by online communities. The framework was tested in case study cities including Venice, Paris, Suzhou, Amsterdam, and Rome for the baseline and/or activated scenarios. The AI-based methodological framework proposed in this thesis is shown to be able to collect information in cities and map the knowledge of the communities about cultural significance, fulfilling the expectation and requirement of HUL, useful and informative for future socially inclusive heritage management processes.

Historic Urban Landscape Paradigm—A Tool for Balancing Values and Changes in the Urban Conservation Process

Historic Urban Landscape Paradigm—A Tool for Balancing Values and Changes in the Urban Conservation Process

CHAH MIRAN LAHORE: LAND OF HAZRAT MIRAN HUSSAIN ZANJANI

Historic walled cities are recognized with its context and urban environment and old cities are associated with specific places, personalities and events, identifying their architectural values and rituals. The core objective of this research is the identification and protection of historic areas outside the city walls maintaining the legitimacy of historic environment. One of the remarkable example is historic city of Lahore with its neighborhood districts. Various type of observatory surveys has been conducted to visualize the impacts of urbanization on the historic environment of the selected case study “Chah Miran” which was populated due to a saint Hazrat Miran Hussain Zanjani and is termed as Land of Miran. Selected area is one of the oldest neighborhood districts of Mughal Lahore and the most significant landmarks are “Khui Miran” and “Shrine of Hazrat Miran Hussain Zanjani”. Rapid urbanization changed the historic urban landscape and provision of modern needs created jumble of shops due to the increasing commercial activities. In the result of these interventions, traditional activities transformed in the commercial activities. There is a need to identify and conserve the historic monuments in these historic districts for the study of future generations being part of the historic core of Lahore. Keywords: Urban activities, Neighborhood districts, Historic environment, Chah Miran, Miran Hussain Zanjani.

Is "Authentic Tourism" a means of preserving living cultural heritage?

The goal of this paper is to question the idea of authenticity in the tourist industry, using the Old City of Akko (north Israel) as a case study. It will question the ability of tourism to serve as a tool for preserving living-cultural- heritage. Is there "authenticity" in tourism? Is cultural-based-tourism a means of preserving intangible heritage? Does cultural-based-heritage recreate heritage, invent heritage or is it just a means of creating experiences? Situated on a peninsula in North Israel, the old city of Akko is a vertical of many historical layers, from 5000 years ago till date. Imprints of tangible heritage from all periods and living intangible cultural heritage entwine with each other in the ancient allies of the city. Intensive excavations uncovered massive Middle-aged Crusader remains dated to the 12th and 13th century. They lie beneath the existing Ottoman fortified city, constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Akko of today is a vibrant city. Residents reside within these Ottoman buildings constructed 300 years ago. Updated research indicates that the cultural heritage of Akko includes many additional values. These include intangible heritage values that are practiced by these residents in the historic allies. This ‘Living Heritage’ is linked to the current community of the city and represents the ‘continuity’ of traditions and practices that comprise living dimensions and the continuity of traditions, skills, and craftspeople. Successful scientific research methods, documentation and safeguarding procedures of these intangible values are still developing. This paper will present examples of intangible heritage in the Historical Urban Landscapes of Akko and will question the ability of new touristic initiatives as a means of preserving this heritage and the spirit of the city. Some of these examples are led by the locals but most of the new initiatives are belong to entrepreneurs new to the city. They all offer an authentic experience in the city. They suggest a combination of visits to the main tourist attractions developed by the authorities and an opportunity to encounter living-traditional-culture aspects in the city. They include tours with local guides, living-in local houses, participating-in local traditional meals with the residents, meeting and watching various craftsmen or joining traditional community events. For tourists, these are unique opportunities that could be called "authentic experiences". For tourist experts these experiences are often regarded as means to present rare cultural heritage aspects. For the authorities, these experiences are regarded as new development resources and tools. For the locals these are new economic opportunities. So, is this a win-win-win-win situation? Are these initiatives means to preserve and safeguard the authentic intangible heritage values and the unique spirit of the city?

Information Services as a Method to Evaluate the Sustainability of Intangible Dimensions of a Historic Urban Landscape: A Case Study in Guangzhou, China

The historic urban landscape (HUL) is the result of the continuous dynamic process of production, interaction, and accumulation. It is full of information from bygone years and remains to this day as a living witness of antiquity and a benefit to the contemporary public, both in mind and spirit. These intangible benefits, however, are easier to overlook than the tangible ones in conservation and management efforts that aim at sustainability. Therefore, we return to the prototype of the category “cultural services” in the ecosystem classification “information service” to evaluate these intangible benefits. The objectives of this study are: (1) to provide a methodological framework to assess the ability of the landscape to continuously provide information services in the historical process; (2) to analyze the drivers affecting HUL’s ability to continuously deliver information services, and then discuss the governance experience of HUL’s intangible dimensions for sustainability. First, we regard HUL as an object to learn from the experience of urban heritage governance: using the methods and tools of ecosystem service evaluation, this paper evaluates the intangible services that the public receives from the landscape over several consecutive historical periods, summarizes the dynamic changes in these services, and analyzes their drivers. Furthermore, we consider that the aforementioned intangible services are brought about in part by the spread of heritage information stored in HUL among specific people, and the continuous provision of information services is considered the sustainability of HUL in intangible dimensions. We use Yuexiu Hill in the center of Guangzhou, China, as a case study to verify the feasibility of our methodological framework by evaluating the information services provided by this ancient area with a construction history of 2000 years over five historical periods. The data needed for the evaluation of the information service was obtained through text mining by retrieving 1063 ancient Chinese poems related to Yuexiu Hill from the poetry database. The results obtained through this evaluation framework will provide a quantitative basis for planning, design, and decision making in small and medium-sized landscapes.

What Fundamental Indicators Should Be Used to Measure the Change in the Historic Urban Landscape Approach

Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) identifies an urban area due to its cultural and natural values and the qualities of its historical plane. Within this context, this article aims to determine and categorize these values used in the HUL approach as indicators. The research question focuses on finding specific indicators used in the HUL approach to measuring change beyond considering natural and cultural heritage values in the landscape context. These indicators in 228 peer-reviewed publications implementing the HUL from 2008 to 2021 are assessed. The six-step inclusive and exclusive theoretical framework is established as a method in this article to detect the inadequate implementations of HUL in case studies. The initial finding of this article is that the adequacy of using the HUL approach in publications is questionable as the implementation of the HUL approach processes was incomplete or misunderstood in most of them. Only 29 articles of the 228 publications implemented the HUL approach in its entirety. The other finding is that when the change measurement indicators in the HUL approach are examined, it is evident that natural indicators were the least used group compared to cultural and identity indicators. Each cultural, natural, and identity indicator group should be utilized evenly to implement the HUL approach adequately. This article presents a fundamental indicator list that includes cultural, natural, and identity groups for correctly using the HUL approach.

World Heritage Discourses and the Potential of Conceptualizing Water

Conceptualizing water and heritage together is a key challenge. Only in recent years has heritage management started to embrace sustainable development in the context of heritage preservation. The UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach and policy recommendations for sustainable development integration exemplify this recent development. This contribution examines World Heritage discourses through the lenses of water and heritage as a system. It specifically explores the relation between World Heritage management and water management of World Heritage sites. In doing so, it aims to reinforce the role of water and water management in the World Heritage framework, both in terms of theory and process. It concludes with a call for a stronger acknowledgment of water management as part of good practices for World Heritage sites and their management.

Conducting Heritage Tourism-Led Urban Renewal in Chinese Historical and Cultural Urban Spaces: A Case Study of Datong

Heritage tourism-led urban renewal and regeneration has recently become a critical way of creating a city brand, designing tourism destinations, and attracting property developers and investors to cities. However, current practice points to a lack of proper understanding and consideration in preserving and interpreting elements of authentic identity in the Chinese historic urban landscape. In this study, we used the ancient city of Datong, China, under urban regeneration as a case study to explore how urban history and cultural resources are manifested in preserving and reconstructing historic urban landscapes. The methods included in-depth interviews with multiple stakeholders and groups, integrated with the analysis of planning documents and field observations. By categorising and evaluating the research data, we developed a new conceptual framework with applicable measures, contributing to heritage-tourism urban regeneration and shaping place identity in both theoretical and practical aspects. The conceptual framework and its corresponding concepts and measures developed from this research could provide guidelines for academics and practitioners to explore more potential aspects and concepts that focus on the research and development of Chinese cities with historic urban landscapes.

A metamodel for heritage-based urban recovery

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential transfer of a metamodel for heritage-based urban development (HBUD) in a postcrisis urban recovery scenario.Design/methodology/approachAfter an introduction to the field of cultural heritage as a resource for urban development, the research question is elaborated, and the current understanding of urban heritage is explored. The use of the metamodel in a postcrisis urban recovery setting is described as a potential solution. The proposed metamodel is introduced along with the grounded theory and design research methodology through which it was developed. The specific qualities of metamodels and how they can contribute to the proposed use are highlighted. The scenario is then developed further, and specific ways in which the metamodel could contribute are elaborated. Finally, the metamodel is compared to other methods, such as the historic urban landscape (HUL) approach, and the limitations are discussed.FindingsThe metamodel can potentially be used in a postcrisis urban recovery scenario. The metamodel cannot be used directly, owing to the nature of metamodels; however, it can be transferred to a specific context and help to structure successful heritage-based urban recovery (HBUR) processes.Practical limitations/implicationsOne limitation is that it can be difficult to understand the differences between models and metamodels. Only with a comprehensive understanding of the nature of metamodels can this metamodel be applied, for example, to select appropriate models for HBUR. The metamodel can help to ensure that all relevant ‘elements’ are part of the processes designed for HBUR and emphasise the need for thorough planning, or scoping, of such processes.Originality/valueMetamodelling has not previously been used for HBUD or HBUR.

A Holistic Approach to Strategic Sustainable Development of Urban Voids as Historic Urban Landscapes from the Perspective of Urban Resilience

Since complex urban systems are a combination of different spatial typologies and may have various complex characteristics (human, environmental, social, economic, political, and cultural), decision-making cannot be done without a holistic approach and complex analysis and evaluation of the possible development scenarios. This is especially true in today’s world, where spatial and urban planning must consider various objectives such as sustainable development, accessibility, landscape characteristics, and public interests on a strategic level. This results in the need to use appropriate decision support and decision-making tools in the strategic urban planning process of complex urban environments with Historic Urban Landscapes (HUL) characteristics to improve urban development and resilience. The proposed evaluation model, “Strategic Planning for Urban Resilience—SPUR model,” is based on a holistic approach to spatial planning with an emphasis on the strategic sustainable development of urban voids as HULs and was tested on the case study of the Delta area in the City of Rijeka, Croatia. The proposed holistic approach can help in scenario building, evaluation, and selection of planning alternatives, as well as decision-making processes in urban management, by enabling the evaluation and control of complex scenarios from a sustainable development perspective.

Industrial and cultural heritage of the Ma On Shan Iron Mine landscape and the making of industrious Hong Kong

Ma On Shan (MOS, literally ‘Saddle Hill’) is an extension of Shatin new town in Hong Kong. This area embeds the site of the now closed MOS Iron Mine and several related settlements at the Peak, Mid‐Level and Pier Districts. The history of the MOS Iron Mine landscape sheds important light on the city's post‐WWII development. The MOS is a typical historic urban landscape, a product of transnational urbanism, a joint‐venture of local and Japanese investments made possible by the Cold War, and the retreat of faith‐based organisations and poor refugees fleeing Chinese rule after 1949 practicing mutual support in a laissez‐faire colonial city. The Japanese trained miners, explosive operators, mechanics and construction workers of the MOS Iron Mine contributed to infrastructure developments of modern Hong Kong. The associated settlements also epitomise the industrious spirit of Hong Kongers in the face of international and regional political volatilities, absence of government support, material shortage and economic hardship. Embedded in the MOS Iron Mine landscape is not only valuable industrial heritage bequeathed by multi‐scalar transnational socio‐economic and political developments but also the cultural heritage of reciprocity and mutuality among community members in local economic development, knowledge with continuing relevance for city‐building today.

Zoning scenic areas of heritage sites using visibility analysis: the case of Zhengding, China

ABSTRACT The preservation of historical architecture not only protects the specific building site but also preserves the surrounding historical setting. However, unassigned and vast historical settings are considered extremely delicate in terms of conservation. The formation of a Scenic Area provides a legal method of protecting the historical setting of cultural heritage sites in China. Additionally, scientific zoning of the Scenic Area can create zones for restricting construction and development. This article shows the process of rationally determining the Scenic Areas analyzing the visibility of Geographic Information System (GIS), taking the example of the seven National Heritage Sites (NHS) in Zhengding County, China. The objects of the visibility analysis included five high-rise architectural heritage buildings: pagodas and towers from the seven NHS and three other viewing points on the city walls to observe these sites. The results revealed several highly sensitive areas between the architectural heritage sites, in addition to the predicted areas of concerns near heritage sites. Therefore, the Scenic Areas were zoned as large connected areas by combining the spaces between the NHS. This study will help achieve rational zoning for sustainable conservation and development of high-rise cultural heritage sites forming a historical urban landscape.

Transition of Urban Morphology in the Mountainous Areas Since Early-Modern Times from the Perspective of Urban Historic Landscape—A GIS Tools and Historical Map Translation Approach

Regenerating cities must blend modernization and heritage. Both urban morphology and Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) highlight historical processes and may assist in regeneration. Using Chongqing as the study example may further understand mountain cities, which are prevalent worldwide but seldom examined in morphology research. This study explores and organizes the historical modernization of Chongqing’s parent city from early-modern times to the present day using a universal approach established in this research developed by the HUL perspective and research framework, Geographic information system (GIS), Depthmap tool, and historical map translation method. Large-scale modernization occurred prior to the 1980s, followed by more modest rehabilitation projects. The whole procedure is described by the phrase “Construction first, then planning, then transformation,” which entails a “free growth” block structure at the outset, along with planning control. The study contributes the following: (1) Establishing a theoretical framework and research technique for the universal city based on historical sources and modern instruments; (2) Chongqing’s future sustainable development and historical preservation depend in large part on figuring out the city’s complicated modernization history; (3) The study of mountain cities may benefit from understanding the geographical development and spatial dynamic layering of Chongqing. (4) This study bridges the gap in time by going beyond the early modern period covered by the previous ones and into the post-statehood era (1949–2022).

The role of adaptive reuse in historic urban landscapes towards cities of inclusion. The case of acre

PurposeCities are facing challenges that dramatically affect their social and physical landscapes, leading to the increase of urban segregation and polarization. One response to these challenges is adaptive reuse, yet, in heterogeneous communities, these adaptations are often a source of conflict, because local actions often lack an integrative approach, leading to further exclusion. In this paper the authors explore the potential of adaptive reuse of urban heritage as a planning tool to support inclusiveness and heterogeneity.Design/methodology/approachThe city of Acre is used as a case study, where different scenarios for urban heritage are proposed and tested among stakeholders through interviews. These aim to explore how adaptive reuse processes can lead to the inclusion or exclusion of certain groups and how design interventions in historic urban landscapes challenge the way the current disconnected historic and urban layers interact.FindingsThe paper presents the commonalities and differences between the interviewees' perceptions on Acre's functioning, their idea of inclusiveness and other aspects related to urban design. Moreover, it highlights the existing conflicts of interest, value prioritization and the adequacy of the proposed scenarios, serving as a way to verify the accuracy of the scenario building process.Originality/valueTesting an urban design tool related to adaptive reuse of urban heritage in a real and extreme case, based on the guidelines of the Historic Urban Landscape Recommendation; and critically analysing the sources of conflict and value systems to address inclusion in heterogenous settings.

Russian experience in the protection of the historic urban landscape

Russian experience in the protection of the historic urban landscape

Agricultural landscape and historical urban landscape: notes on the case study of Bologna (Italy)

Agricultural landscape and historical urban landscape: notes on the case study of Bologna (Italy)

Two Towns in Indonesia, One on the Coast, the Other “A City of One Thousand Rivers”

The Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) Quick Scan Method is a methodology that can be used in workshops to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration and a holistic understanding of a context and its challenges. The HUL Quick Scan Method was conducted in three phases in Muntok and Banjarmasin, Indonesia, and demonstrated its efficacy in promoting heritage and socio-cultural practices as catalysts for sustainable development. The features of the workshops run in the two cities stimulated discussion among the local community and including private and public sectors, establishing a basis for applying the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape approach.

Collaboration Between Nature and Humans in the Desert

The qanat system exploits groundwater aquifers in arid and semi-arid regions with the help of local water facilities and infrastructure. The system originated in Iran’s central plateau and then spread widely around the world, from the Middle East and Eastern Asia to Europe, North Africa and even South America. This historic water system, which reduces costs and energy consumption, offers a model of how humans can connect to their environment in a completely sustainable way. This system not only satisfies human water needs but does so without depleting natural resources. The relationship between humans and nature is very fragile in desert regions and the qanat system is capable of sustaining settlements even in Iran’s hot and dry climate. This historic system enables settlements and agriculture to survive while inspiring a unique desert-specific approach in line with the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach. This ecosystem-like approach involves not only the qanat’s canals but also associated natural structures and historical components like water reservoirs (Ab-Anbar), water mills (Asiab), water coolers (Yakhchāl), gardens (Bagh) and farms (Mazrae) and floodways (Masil).