Historic City Research Articles

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 The study leverages historical documents, digitized and georeferenced within a cartographic space, to reveal the relationships between natural and anthropogenic landforms from the Roman period through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.

Effect of Cultural Heritage on Tourism Development in Italy

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of cultural heritage on tourism development in Italy. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The cultural heritage of Italy plays a significant role in its tourism development, attracting millions of visitors annually to historic cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. Italy's rich history, art, architecture, and traditions make it a global cultural destination, with UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Uffizi Gallery serving as major draws. This cultural wealth not only boosts the tourism industry but also supports local economies and preserves historical landmarks. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cultural capital theory, sustainable tourism theory & heritage conservation theory may be used to anchor future studies on the effect of cultural heritage on tourism development in Italy. Implementing practical measures such as visitor quotas, dynamic pricing, and timed entry tickets can help regulate tourist flow to high-traffic cultural heritage sites. Policymakers should develop sustainable tourism frameworks that balance economic growth with cultural heritage preservation.

Points of contact for small businesses in the historical city

The problem of the development of the Samara historical settlement continues to be the focus of attention of the city’s architectural community and a significant part of its residents. The historical environment in this article is considered in the socio-economic and communicative aspect. The spatial and material resources of historical buildings are identified, facilitating contact between the manufacturer and supplier and the consumer. Points of contact are located both in the information field and in direct communication in public spaces. The methodological tools used in the article include developments from the field of marketing.

Vibration vulnerability assessment of heritage structures in Lahore: a step towards sustainable conservation

Lahore is among the most important historical cities in Pakistan, and many cultural heritage structures, such as Shalamar Gardens and Lahore Fort, which are recognised as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, are located there. The rapid increase in transit operations and infrastructure development in Lahore can increase the vulnerability of nearby heritage structures to ground-borne vibrations. In this study, a vibration vulnerability assessment of the heritage structures present in Lahore was performed with the help of the framework provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), USA. A remote survey was carried out to gather valuable information regarding the distance between the heritage structures and potential vibrational sources, as well as the latitude and longitude of the heritage structures, via the web-based mapping tool Google Earth. A vibration vulnerability map of heritage structures was developed on the basis of a vibration vulnerability assessment to make it convenient for policymakers to visualise the present state of heritage structures with respect to vibration vulnerability. The performed vibration vulnerability assessment was validated by experimentally measuring vibrations at the Buddha’s Tomb (Buddha Ka Awa) heritage structure. The study revealed that 17% of the heritage structures present in Lahore are vulnerable to vibrations at present, with potential vibrational sources such as road traffic, metro trains, and rail traffic. The vibration vulnerability assessment revealed that 72% of the vibrationally vulnerable heritage structures in Lahore are most influenced by vibrations from road traffic. The results of this study can aid policymakers in creating intervention packages for vibrationally vulnerable heritage structures in Lahore in relation to their respective needs, which will make it possible to achieve the sustainable conservation of heritage structures.

Mapping Intangible Cultural Heritage in an Urban Context: Case of Historic City of Nashik, India

Mapping Intangible Cultural Heritage in an Urban Context: Case of Historic City of Nashik, India

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.

Small Architectural Forms in Tomsk Wooden Buildings in 19–20th Centuries

The paper considers small architectural forms in the wooden manor buildings of Tomsk late in the 19th and early 20th centuries and their impact on the historical image of the city. The paper also studies preservation of historical cities and loss of historical and architectural wooden heritage.Purpose: To identify the types of small architectural forms in the wooden houses of Tomsk and determine their role in the city image.Methodology: Historical photographs, drawings, and field survey of wooden buildings, archival documents and photographs by local historians P. N. Kokhanenko and R. Perushin, allowing to determine lost small architectural forms and systematize them.Research findings: Determination of small architectural forms in preserving individual history and culture of the historical city.Practical implications: The obtained results can be used to study wooden buildings of Siberian cities and develop projects for their reconstruction in Tomsk.

Examining the Impact of Social Factors on Spatial Desirability of Urban Neighbourhoods

The increasing importance of neighbourhoods in urban planning, combined with an enhanced focus on the social aspects of designing desirable communities and societies, has emanated the necessity of developing a clear understanding of spatially desirable neighbourhoods. When considering various dimensions of social vitality and existing urban planning norms for residential neighbourhoods, it appears essential to consider and integrate both social and spatial aspects to formulate a desirable community. This article examines the impact of social factors on spatial desirability and vitality of residential neighbourhoods in the context of Iran. The historic city of Yazd has been selected as the case study. Following thorough evaluation of existing neighbourhoods in the city, three study areas have been selected for detailed study; Zortosht neighbourhood, Shahrak University residential complex and Baqiyatullah Azam residential complex. Based on the nature of this study, a qualitative method has been adopted to conduct this research. Extracting from the literature review, three factors of safety and security, sense of attachment to place and social interaction are among the most important socio-cultural factors that can affect the social vitality of a neighbourhood. After the content analysis of the interviews (through semi-structured questionnaires) from the stakeholders and residents of the study areas, observation and documentation of physical and spatial structure of the neighbourhoods and analysing data by interrelating social, as well as spatial aspects, the study concluded that social and spatial aspects are interconnected and both are impacting each other to result in social vitality and spatial desirability of a neighbourhood. Moreover, it was observed that spatial layout of neighbourhoods can increase the potential for social vitality and liveliness. Finally, research recommends design policies for socially integrated and spatially desirable neighbourhoods in the context of Iran, which may be applicable in other similar contexts too.

A cultural exposition model for interpreting architectural heritage: A study on Pingyao historical city

Architectural heritage, encompassing both its material and immaterial aspects, serves as a vital lens for understanding the historical, social, and esthetic values embedded in a society. As a reflection of cultural evolution, it offers insight into the architectural technologies, social structures, and collective memories of specific historical periods. This article investigates the architectural history of Pingyao historical city by employing theoretical perspectives that integrate material, social, and spiritual dimensions. The study demonstrates how the philosophy and cultural values of ancient Chinese society are reflected in the spatial and architectural forms of Pingyao. The material dimension considers how principles such as Feng Shui, numerology, and color symbolism shaped the city’s general layout and building designs. The social attribute addresses the influence of Confucianism on spatial organization, the use of culturally significant architectural elements, and the function of key structures in fostering social unity among the population. The spiritual aspect explores concepts of Eastern origin, such as Yin and Yang, the Five Elements theory, and the “Unity of Heaven and Humanity,” as these are incorporated into the city’s external architecture. Furthermore, it examines the influence of Buddhism and Daoism on Pyingyao’s architectural features. This comprehensive analysis reveals that Pingyao is far more than a collection of historic buildings; it is an intricate cultural artifact, offering a unique perspective on earlier stages of Chinese thought and society. Therefore, the preservation and study of Pingyao’s architecture offer a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of China’s architectural history.

The Churches of Santiago de Compostela, a diachronic analysis of their orientations

The orientation of nearly 50 churches in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela are presented. These include churches built along the history of the town, from the early Medieval period until the end of the 20thcentury. Interestingly, all churches built before the Council of Trent appear to have orientations consistent with canonical prescriptions, notably in two flavors. One would be consistent with the canonical equinox at the date of construction, possibly dictated by the orientation of the Cathedral itself. The other orientation is set a few degrees south of due east and could be dictated by the streets of the Medieval town. After the Council of Trent churches were built mostly to have the façade perpendicular to a main street, so that the apse and the altar no longer are systematically facing towards the rising sun.

Burj Rashid: a tale of two tides – rising waters and changing traditions

PurposeThis paper delves into the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and practices of Burj Rashid, an ancient historical city on Egypt’s northern coast, which stands at the meeting point of the Nile’s western branch and the Mediterranean Sea. Burj Rashid boasts a strategic location and rich natural resources and has a long history of relationships between land, people, river, sea and climate change, serving as a model for residents’ adaptation to their ever-changing surroundings.Design/methodology/approachClimate studies have exposed the village’s vulnerability to climate and topographical hazards such as rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, decreasing precipitation, encroaching seas due to sea level rise, coastal erosion and high soil salinization. These factors pose a high risk of water scarcity, crop failure in the medium term, potential famine in the long term and declining fish populations, threatening fishing communities. To address these challenges, the Net Zero: Heritage for Climate Action project - launched by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the First Aid and Resilience for Culture in Times of Crisis program, funded by Swedish Postcode - proposes a research and development methodology through a platform that weaves together heritage knowledge and climate science. The Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation has implemented a platform in Burj Rashid as an innovative site to study risks, vulnerabilities and capacities.FindingsThe project will explore root causes, identify risk scenarios and establish a stakeholder map to guide the development of mitigation strategies and resilience-building measures.Originality/valueBy harnessing the wisdom of TEK and integrating it with scientific knowledge, the project paves the way for innovative climate change adaptation strategies that ensure the long-term sustainability of Burj Rashid’s unique cultural heritage.

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.

MANAGEMENT OF EMERGENCY MEASURES PROJECT OF ALGIERS’S KASBAH

Management strategies for the conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage in general, and urban heritage in particular, have evolved greatly over the past two decades. The relationship between heritage and development is now omnipresent in the policies of construction or reconstruction of territories, where the major challenges lie in their enhancement. Algeria does not have a great deal of experience in the management and administration of heritage safeguarding and enhancement projects, whether urban or architectural, as evidenced by the significant number of projects that remain unfinished or incomplete due to a lack of efficiency. Within the framework of the Permanent Plan for the Safeguarding and Enhancement of the Protected Historic District (PPSMVSS) for the protected historic city of Algiers, emergency projects have been launched to slow down or even stop the deterioration of this heritage site. The objective of this study is to understand the process of formalizing and managing projects in protected historic districts, as well as the interactions between the different stakeholders involved.The methodology used combines on-site surveys, interviews, and questionnaires with the various stakeholders. It refers to the conceptual model of project success factors developed by Pinto and Slevin, in order to evaluate these operations, which have not led to theexpected results.

Slum housing upgrading strategies: a case study of Kampaeng Ngam informal settlement along Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai historic city

ABSTRACT In 2011, UNESCO issued recommendations urging cities, especially those rich in historical significance, to strike a balance between preservation and growth. The goal was to better cater to the needs of present-day residents and improve their quality of life through a focus on people-centered development. This study examines informal settlements along the Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai, a locality adjacent to the city’s historical elements. The present study aims to formulate strategies for upgrading housing, examining the case of Kampaeng Ngam as a pilot community. The investigation is aligned with the city’s current agenda, aiming to gather insights from inhabitants for future improvement. A field study began with structured observation, followed by an investigation of sample housing and in-depth interviews with the householders. The results are presented in three facets: (1) current physical existence, (2) resident background, and (3) dwelling characteristics of the community. The influence of resident-related aspects on housing attributes is then discussed. The findings reveal that previous plans by local authorities to relocate households into one-size-fits-all family housing failed to meet the diverse living conditions of the residents. Consequently, this article concludes with alternative suggestions for the upcoming Kampaeng Ngam Housing Upgrade project.

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.

An ecological dilemma, novel sustainable ideas for Istanbul examining zoning regulation for green-areas and housing

This research delves into the evolution of Istanbul’s urban agenda, which has become increasingly intricate due to recent challenges. The city's planning paradigm has undergone a discernible shift, with heightened attention concerns like seismic resilience, sustainability, and the climate-change. The planning projections for the city have experienced significant changes, by the earthquakes 1999 and 2023, climate-change, and the pandemic in 2020. Although the pandemic is considered temporary, it has significant in bringing sustainable matters like living airier, greener areas, back to the city planning. In response to the latest challenges, particularly the earthquake, the city confronted an ecological dilemma, prompting proposal to relocate new housing areas to the Northern-forest. The city's northern development axis, planned a century ago by the French architect-urbanist Henri Prost, is being questioned today end to its limits for green-areas. Based on ongoing global discussion, on academical circles on the imperative, the historic city of Istanbul grapples with the contemporary problems sustainability and seismic considerations in its future planning endeavors. This study engages in discursive analyses while concurrently offering practical recommendations to address sustainability through the development of specific zoning arrangements focuses on dual research axis urban-based, and housing-based, laws, and regulations, also housing model, and typologies as missing part of the previous research. This study principally examines this problematic via zoning practices of Istanbul in the Henri Prost period from housing areas to the housing models and typologies. Also, globally, along with the new zoning, the old zoning laws, and regulations can be bring the agenda again in the context of sustainability to promote a balanced relationship between human, nature and sustainability goals. In conclusion, amid the recent challenges in the city, innovative suggestions for advanced zoning applications in pursuit of sustainability reveal a notable gap in the protection of green-areas, planning new settlements. Henri Prost’s master plans stand out for employing distinctive zoning techniques for each district, also offering specific housing models and typologies. Extending this methodology to green-areas presents a bridge the existing void. By presented potential case scenarios at the end of the study emphasizing the merits of integrating historical zoning practices into contemporary planning, it aims to stimulate discussions on holistic and forward-looking urban development strategies.

Multi-objective assessment of the retrofit of traditional walls located in a historical city centre using an urban climate model

Historical city centres face two major challenges in the 21st century: heritage conservation and energy retrofitting. Wall insulation in traditional buildings is at the crossroads of these two issues. When studying the retrofit of the walls, other factors also need to be considered, such as the durability of the walls, the life cycle of the materials used for insulation, the indoor and outdoor comfort in summer. The aim is to propose a method for taking all these objectives into account when choosing the insulation technique for historical walls. To do this, the TEB (Town Energy Balance) urban climate model is used, because it considers the urban microclimate, the energy behaviour of buildings and moisture transfer through walls. A VTT model is integrated into TEB, to include the risk of mold growth. The medieval city centre of Cahors (France) was used as a case study. The retrofit of two types of wall was assessed: “massive” brick walls, and “light” walls with a timber-framed structure, filled with bricks. Six renovation scenarios were studied, including four insulation materials and both internal and external insulation positions. The results obtained underline the need to study the retrofit of the two types of building separately, because the recommendations made for insulation vary depending on the type of wall studied.

Reconstructing the environment of historic cities. Methods of incorporating new objects into the historic urban fabric

The presented study is aimed at identifying factors that significantly influence the patterns of designed development in the existing historical urban environment. The paper reviews theoretical grounds and design methods of architects and urban designers exploring the practice of incorporating new architectural objects into a semiotic, morphological and functional context. The time frame of the study was determined due to the relevance of the issue. Actually, cities built before the 20th century are characterized by the cohesion of urban fabric, hierarchy of elements, calibrated silhouette and perception angles of the environment, while modern cities or modern inclusions lack these properties and look scattered and sporadic. The paper suggests two possible reasons behind that: the architects from before the 20th century appeared much skillful than their followers; or the professional architects and urban designers are consciously inclined to the separateness of buildings and their incoherence with the environment. The analysis revealed a number of approaches: three-part construction of architectural form, space as a structure of relations, formalization of the object to structural content, spatial structure of residential environment as socio-spatial bodies, spatial grids, continuity, coherence of the building fabric, navigation factor, formal similarity, relation to the urban framework.

Design and Optimization of Water Level Control Gate System in Malwathu Oya River, Sri Lanka

This research focuses on improving flood management of the Malwathu Oya River in Anuradhapura Historical City, Sri Lanka, by designing an efficient gate system for the weir of Halpan Ela in the Malwathu Oya River. Frequent flooding threatens agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety in this region. This research aims to enhance water level control in the upper reach of Halpan Ela Anicut by evaluating rainfall patterns, tank spillway efficiency, and gate operation challenges. Historical data on rainfall and tank spillage were analyzed. Flow simulations revealed significant pressure differences, with the existing gate structure showing an upstream pressure of 114,492.5 Pa at a maximum flow of 1740 m3/s, compared to 105,406 Pa for the new flap gate system at the same flow rate. This represents a pressure difference of 9 kPa, equivalent to a 0.9 m water head. Despite the system’s estimated cost of USD 0.1 million, the potential reduction in river flood damage, which currently exceeds USD 0.2 million annually, demonstrates its value. This research emphasizes the effectiveness of the flap gate system in reducing flood risks in Anuradhapura City compared to the existing gate type, though it is only a part of a broader flood mitigation strategy.

Effects of the excavation of deep foundation pits on an adjacent double-curved arch bridge

The excavation of deep foundation pits can cause variations in the displacement and stress fields of surrounding soils, which hence induces adverse effects on adjacent structures. This study presents a two-stage method to quantify the impact of the excavation of a deep foundation pit on the adjacent double-curved arch bridge in the historical city of Nanjing, Southeastern China. The entire process of the foundation pit excavation was simulated and the induced deformation of the arch foot was obtained in the first stage by hardening soil model with small-strain stiffness. Then, the obtained deformation of the arch foot was applied to the bridge structure as a displacement boundary in the second stage to calculate the internal forces and deformations of the double-curved arch bridge structure. The tensile strength of concrete is taken as the limit value of the tensile stress of the double-curved arch bridge. The limit values of arch foot displacement under four evaluation conditions are obtained by step loading calculation. The present results provide construction guidance and safety warning for the process of foundation pit excavation adjacent to double-curved arch bridges for historical preservation.