Historic Core Research Articles

Use-mix intensity and open-space ratio for sustainable urban form: the case of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

A sustainable urban form needs to accommodate a mix of varied compatible land uses with ample open-space ratio (OSR) through transformation. This study, thus, aims to examine the sustainability of land-use transformation patterns from the perspective of sub-Saharan African cities. It also analyses consequences of formal planning interventions and organic developments on OSR, both in the inner city and the periphery. Hence, land-use mix and OSR are compared over time at both plot and neighbourhood level, which is both scholarly and practical. The research study includes six cases from three morphological periods. The results indicate that the intensity of mixed-land use declined over time at the plot, while the figure increased at neighbourhood level. Besides, moving from the historic core to the periphery reduces the intensity of mixed-land use at the neighbourhood level. Across years, the intensity of mixed-land use showed a decreasing trend reflecting a reduction in the sustainable urban form. To avert this, cities need to integrate practices and principles of both organic development and formal planning endeavours. In addition, the existence of ample OSR helps to improve a balanced mix of uses at both the plot and neighbourhood level.

Core Content, Experience and Enlightenment of CSR in the J-League

In comparison with European and American countries, the CSR of professional sports in Asian countries is affected by many factors due to differences in management system, social environment, etc. At present, the research on CSR of professional sports in Asian countries is very limited, and the practice form of CSR under this special management system has great research space and value. For booming professional sports of China, neighboring Japanese professional sports system is similar to it, and has a more advanced level of professional sports CSR development, which is worthy of further learning and reference for Chinese Super League clubs. Therefore, this study combs the historical background, core content and governance experience of CSR of J League in Japan, and puts forward valuable enlightenment for Chinese Super League clubs. The results show that the CSR of J League in Japan has distinctive characteristics and times, and the Chinese Super League clubs need to combine their own development stages, Chinese national conditions and other factors for reference.

AN EXPLORATION OF INTERACTIONS BETWEEN URBAN HERITAGES AND TOURIST’S DIGITAL FOOTPRINT: NETWORK AND TEXTUAL ANALYSIS VIA GEOTAGGED FLICKR DATA IN AMSTERDAM

Abstract. Spatial information retrieved by geotagged social media data allows the analysis of when and where questions and supports a better understanding of people’s spatial interaction. The purpose of this paper is to reveal alternative heritage spots for reducing tourism pressure in certain areas within Amsterdam’s historical core by presenting tourists’ points of interests (POIs), their patterns between POIs, and the sentiments attached to these POIs. To fulfil the research aim, network analysis, textual analysis, and heat maps were conducted with geotagged Flickr data representing tourists’ uploaded images. The results show that the Flickr data set was useful to reveal the existing POIs and their relations. Moreover, the further analysis that is based on the intersection between the revealed spatial patterns and Amsterdam heritage sites showed alternative POIs nearby current POIs. Based on the results, we demonstrated how a dataset constructed from geotagged Flickr data can provide useful practical information for sustainable tourism development. Our research has the potential to support urban heritage and tourism researchers and policy makers with a better understanding of POIs, their relations and possible other POIs. The outcomes of this research can advise heritage tourists on alternative POIs to visit, and policy makers to plan alternative POIs.

The Eastern wing of the Musin-Pushkin estate in Moscow based on historical, architectural and field studies

Introduction. The paper concentrates on a cultural heritage object that is involved in forming the architectural look of the Musin-Pushkin Estate at the intersection of Dobroslobodskaya and Spartakovskaya Streets in Moscow (now the group of buildings of the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering) — the eastern wing of the ensemble, that forms the eastern corner of the estate. This building hasn’t a status of cultural heritage object and has undergone numerous renovations and reorganisations by present time, and we can see the signs of it in the interiors and on the facades of the monument. The main aim of this work — to retrace the wing’s forming during the history by consideration its volume it the context of the surrounding buildings, to uncover the initial look of the monument, and to define its construction periodization, and, as a consequence, — to propose graphical reconstruction of this structure, which will consider not only the earliest period of the structure’s being, but the stage of the enrichment by new, however no less interesting architectural forms.
 
 Materials and methods. The study of the monument was based on the method of comprehensive source study, which includes the search and analysis of sources and literature, field studies, including probing, pit sampling and measuring work, as well as chemical development study of building and finishing materials. Using the comparative method, this object was studied among stylistically and typologically similar buildings.
 
 Results. As a result of the studies, an amount of the signs show on the availability of the historical core, which has formed the volume of the wing. The construction periodization of the monument was identified, its existing volumes were dated, the initial elements of the building were revealed and studied, and later strata were identified, which allowed to identify a look of the structure in different periods of it’s being and developing a graphic reconstruction of the eastern wing at the initial period.
 
 Conclusions. The proposed reconstruction of the monument has resulted from the comprehensive studies allowing to reconstruct the initial look of the building with taking into account its losted volumes. As a result, it will enrich one of the most fascinating manor ensembles in Moscow providing its completion.

Accessibility as a factor for a livable cities: The case of Salt City in Jordan

Abstract Accessibility is known as the ease of reaching destinations. The accessibility is determined by the spatial distribution of potential destinations, and the magnitude, quality, and character of the activities found there. However, modernization and the fast expansion of urban development transform cities' local cultural life from walkable accessible places to just car places. This has encroached into every corner of our urban environment today. In addition, the available services and systems to manage the pedestrian movement in the historic core are inadequate and inefficient, posing risks to both the traffic and the pedestrians. That affects the walkability for cities gradually. Hence, this paper aims to explore the main physical elements that contribute toward accessibility under three main categories (pedestrians, vehicles and public transport) as one of the walkability characters in Salt City in Jordan. Historical review, site analysis, and survey were the main methodology used in this study.

Application of physical and nonphysical elements in the conservation of historic core of city

The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate the mapping outputs of the historic core of Gonabad city based on both physical and nonphysical elements. Despite the fact that the architectural elements have been the main sources of data for the conservation of the historic part of cities, seemingly, the cognitive map based on the perceptions of the inhabitants could enhance the level of the reliability of the outputs. The methods of the research were designed based on the survey and interview to collect both physical and nonphysical data. The physical was included the current historical elements such as mosque, school, and water storage, and the nonphysical was included the destroyed elements such as the wall, gates, towers that have been part of the memories of the inhabitants. ArcGIS was applied for overlaying the data. The findings of the research identified that despite the architectural elements located in a specific location, perception of the people referred to the broader areas in terms of the historic area. As a conclusion, both historical areas of the city include a different pattern of the development. The physical and nonphysical elements played a significant role to highlight the historic core of the city. However, the cognitive map based on the perception of users is not fitted exactly with the geo-reference data, and it is more flexible in terms of conceptual forms. The result of the study represented the map of the historic cores of the city for conservation activity.

Translanguaging genre pedagogy: implications for teaching business communication in the Greater Bay Area

The present paper discusses how insights from translanguaging theory and pedagogy can help inform and promote genre pedagogy for teaching business communication courses such as writing and translation. To this end, the first part traces and reviews the developments of genre theory and pedagogy in tandem with translanguaging theory and pedagogy, thus teasing out their similarities and differences in historical roots, core premises, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies. In light of these integrated accounts, the second part of the paper proposes a genre-based pedagogical framework augmented with key tenets and general principles of translanguaging pedagogy to design and implement task activities and classroom practice in teaching business communication courses in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The paper then outlines perceivable advantages and potential challenges to the application of this translanguaging-informed genre-based pedagogical approach in curriculum design and professional training practice in superdiverse megapolis regions such as the GBA.

Urban Upgrading in the Historic City Core of Abeokuta, Nigeria: A Case for Inclusive Policies Towards Heritage Preservation

The rapid urbanization, taking place in Southwest Nigeria in the last 40years has necessitated the need for regenerating the historic city cores of the region. The state governments and big private stakeholders determine the key narratives for the urban upgrades. Loss of patrimonial stock of indigenous buildings and communal cohesion in these enclaves after upgrading often lead to a complete loss of the socio-cultural heritage. The promotion of urban tourism, which is ideal for cities with heritage values, is thus made more challenging for these cities. This study examines the sensitive nature of upgrade programmes as it affects historic city centres. A review of instances in the area is concluded with a case study of the Abeokuta city core. The study was carried out using literature about upgrades in Southwest Nigeria and field studies that involved interviews and questionnaires in Abeokuta city core. The research discovered that while residents are aware of the programmes, they had no input in the planning and implementation, whereas, they appreciate heritage preservation and prefer to be carried along in the planning. The research concluded that more inclusive policy planning and project participation would have entrenched heritage preservation, stemmed the rate of gentrification, and produce more acceptable outcomes.

Exploring the institutional dilemma and governance transformation in China's urban regeneration: Based on the case of Shanghai Old Town

Urban regeneration in the historic core of Chinese cities largely follows one of two possibilities – ‘demolition-reconstruction,’ by tearing down old houses to make room for new development, and ‘frozen protection,’ designating no-growth areas around certain historical sites and neighborhoods. While these approaches have the potential to preserve recognized cultural values, they can lead to fragmented and uneven built environments as well as limited historic preservation and infrastructure development achievements. In this paper, we discuss the institutional constraints faced by the transformation of regeneration approaches using the cases of Shanghai's historic Old Town area and propose a theoretical framework for analyzing the ‘structure-discourse-tools' interactions in the urban regeneration dilemma from the lens of sociological institutionalism. Our analysis reveals that discourse plays the role of problem framing through the operation of the power structure, while institutional tools are responsible for materializing the discourse. We argue that innovative approaches in urban regeneration should step outside of the conventional ‘control’ and ‘design’ tools but seek a more inclusive governance structure that prioritizes and materializes new discourse. Our study provides a transferable theoretical framework for better understanding complexity and institutional dilemma in global urban regeneration cases and guiding creative transformation in historical area's regeneration projects.

The new stage and mission of researching the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics

PurposeThe aim of this paper is reviewing the discipline development course of the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics and recognising the changes of its development and its historic mission in the new stage will be beneficial to the construction of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics from the perspective of doctrinal history.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper from the aspect of discipline formation and development, the history of China’s socialist political economy has experienced two stages: emergence and formation (the first stage) and steady development (the second stage). It has explored new research fields and improved the quality of research levels. However, the role of studying the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics has not been fully played regarding satisfying the needs of constructing socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics.FindingsIn this study when the construction of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics entered a new era, the study of the history of socialist political economy also entered a new stage, showing new features in terms of research objectives, principles, scale and methods.Originality/valueTherefore, the research on the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics should be highly emphasised, and the focus on serving the construction of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics should be its historic mission and core task. Also, researchers should pay attention to changing ideas, laying a good foundation, highlighting key points, building platforms and broadening horizons.

Post-conflict Urban Renewal as an Ethnocratic Regime Practice: Racialized Governance of Redevelopment in Diyarbakir, Turkey

This paper explores the governance of a state-led urban renewal project in a politically contested area in the aftermath of a major armed conflict. Building on the ethnocratic regime theory, we explore the governance of the urban renewal process in the historic district of Suriçi by focusing on the political, spatial, and governmental underpinnings of displacement and dispossession in the context of the unresolved “Kurdish Question” of Turkey. We argue that this exclusionary and state-led urban renewal project is shaped around the ethnocratic state interests with limited real estate returns that aims to sanitize and dehistoricize the historic core of Diyarbakir given its political and socioeconomic significance for the Kurdish Movement. The rhetorical formation of a “renewed” historic core epitomizes the racialized governance that intensifies the race-class realities sitting at the center of the decades-old ethnic conflict in Turkey. The central government authority's use of gentrification in practice illustrates the ethnocratic regime's spatial, political, and economic repercussions for the Kurdish population as the country's largest ethnic minority. Suriçi‘s redevelopment illustrates that ethnocratic regime practices coexist with a democratic façade and militarization activates an ethnocratic urban regime. Our findings contribute to the literature on space and power by illustrating the incompleteness and paradoxical elements of settler-colonial urbanism.

Modeling and Prediction of the Species' Range of Neurobasis chinensis (Linnaeus, 1758) under Climate Change.

Simple SummaryGlobal climate change is accelerating and modifying the distribution of many extant species. Dragonflies, as a group, inhabit aquatic as well as terrestrial environments and are considered sensitive climate change indicators. In this study, we model and predict the range of a large, tropical damselfly Neurobasis chinensis L. under the last glacial maximum (LGM), the current, and four future warming scenarios. The models show that the species mainly occupies forest ecosystems below 1200 m (preferring 500 to 1200 m) and had two historic core distribution areas in LGM, one of which survived, namely south-central Vietnam. The future scenarios show that the core distribution, high suitable habitats, and even the whole species range of N. chinensis will extend northwards.Neurobasis chinensis is widely distributed in eastern tropical Asia. Its only congener in China, the N. anderssoni, has not been observed for decades. To protect N. chinensis, it is necessary to understand the ecological properties of its habitats and specie’s range shift under climate change. In the present study, we modeled its potential distribution under one historical, current, and four future scenarios. We evaluated the importance of the factors that shape its distribution and habitats and predicted the historical and current core spatial distributions and their shifting in the future. Two historical core distribution areas were identified: the inland region of the Bay of Bengal and south-central Vietnam. The current potential distribution includes south China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Luzon of Philippines, Malaysia, southwest and northeast India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia (Java, Sumatera), Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and foothills of the Himalayas, in total, ca. 3.59 × 106 km2. Only one core distribution remained, concentrated in south-central Vietnam. In a warming future, the core distribution, high suitable habitats, and even the whole range of N. chinensis will expand and shift northwards. Currently, N. chinensis mainly resides in forest ecosystems below 1200 m above sea level (preferred 500 m to 1200 m a.s.l.). Annual precipitation, mean temperature of driest quarter, and seasonality of precipitation are important factors shaping the species distribution. Our study provides systematic information on habitats and geographical distribution, which is useful for the conservation of N. chinensis.

Beyond Historic Urban Cores: Conservation and Regeneration Practices in the Garden City Area of Marghera (Venice, Italy)

ABSTRACT Within the Italian context for urban heritage management, this paper aims to discuss conservation and regeneration as a (potentially) combined practice, through the case of the ‘garden city’ of Marghera. Planned in the Venice mainland in the early XXth century, the district underwent a significant planning experiment in the 1990s, but was listed only recently. After examining the reasoning, features and outcomes of such processes, we assess how citizens’ sense of place was taken into consideration, and how it was affected by them.

Raqqa, Syria in the Summer of 2017: A Cultural Heritage Site and US-led Coalition Airstrikes

ABSTRACT Throughout the Syrian conflict, Raqqa has suffered untold losses, especially after being claimed as the capital of the so-called Islamic State. Damage to Raqqa's built cultural heritage, a component of the human right to identity and culture, is one small aspect of the city's humanitarian crisis. Raqqa's Abbasid-era wall encircling the city's historic core, a UNESCO tentative world heritage site, was the frontline in the battle for the city in the summer of 2017. This paper seeks to establish the extent of visible United States (US)-led Coalition airstrike damage to Raqqa's historic city wall through a time-series analysis of commercially available high-resolution satellite imagery. Much has been published on damage to cultural heritage in Syria, yet little has focused on damage specifically caused by US-led Coalition airstrikes. When compared with other parts of Raqqa, this paper assesses that the city wall did not suffer the same degree of airstrike damage as did its surroundings, suggesting that effort was made by the US-led Coalition to minimize damage to this heritage site. This paper considers international treaty obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention and recent US policy shifts in light of the results of this assessment.

Water depth determines spatial and temporal phosphorus retention by controlling ecosystem transition and P-binding metal elements

Shallow lakes are more susceptible to eutrophication than deep lakes. The geochemical and biogeochemical mechanisms controlling the vulnerability to eutrophication for deep lakes and shallow lakes remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the combined Phosphorus (P) retention mechanism with P fractions, water depth, distribution of P-binding metal elements, and macrophytes coverage in a degrading ecosystem of Erhai Lake. We concluded that different mechanisms control the P retention in deep-water areas and shallow-water areas. In shallow areas covered by macrophytes, the biogeochemical process manipulates the P retention by changing the total organic carbon (TOC), calcium (Ca) distributions and turbulence. In deep areas without macrophyte coverage, the aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) distributions control the P retention by a physicochemical process. Manganese (Mn) was found to be a potential proxy in tracking the kinetic release and readsorb of redox-sensitive P (BD-P) in deep areas. The historical record and core sample indicate that the hydrological engineering induced water depth variation is a vital factor changing the ecosystem of Erhai Lake by forming a large area of intermediate area where macrophytes could only survive at low water level. The uplift of water level in the 1990s gradually changed the ecosystem of Erhai Lake from macrophyte-dominated to algal-macrophyte concomitant that reduced the accumulation of stable P fractions and their binding metals. Macrophytes were capable to preserve P in biomass in the macrophyte-dominated ecosystem, which released 150% and 72% of more labile organic P (NaOH25-nrP) and BD-P in the sediment after the deterioration than before, respectively. Therefore, water depth is a prerequisite to restoring the P preservation capacity of sediment and the macrophyte ecosystem. Further hydraulic engineering projects should consider the effect of water-level-variation-induced ecosystem transition.

Katrina: A History, 1915–2015

Katrina: A History, 1915–2015

LANDSCAPE DIVERSITY OF THE NATIONAL DENDROLOGICAL PARK "SOFIYIVKA" OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF UKRAINE

The article reveals the landscape diversity of the historical garden and park landscape – the National Dendrological Park "Sofiyivka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region, founded in 1796-1800. In the classification of landscape gardening landscapes, developed by the Ukrainian landscape architect, doctor of biological sciences Rubtsov L.I., 6 types of landscapes are distinguished. The landscape of the NDP "Sofiyivka", as an object of landscape gardening art, belongs to the group of anthropogenic landscapes and is classified as a cultural, recreational, slightly modified landscape (historical core of the park) and modified landscape (Grekova and Lesnaya beams). On the territory of the arboretum, all types of landscape gardening landscapes are presented: forest, park, meadow, garden, regular, alpine landscapes. Most of the historical core of the park is occupied by the park landscape; the forest landscape has been preserved closer to the boundaries of the arboretum. The meadow landscape exists both at the bottom of the beams and in elevated places, such as on the Fungus lawn. The garden type of landscape is presented in the English Park, created in 1890 91 by Pashkevich V.V. and in a series of new monocultural gardens (of lilacs, magnolias, maples, chrysanthemums, dahlias, daylilies, hosts, etc.). The Kamyanka River is an alpine (or mountainous) type of garden and park landscape due to natural granite outcrops and shifted boulders. Examples of the regular landscape are the amphitheater, alleys, greenery protection strips, as well as the regularly planned area of the new entrance to the arboretum from the street Kyivskaya with a fountain and a rosary. These garden and park landscapes of the arboretum "Sofiyivka" are the most valuable natural ecosystem formations within the arboretum, which must be preserved and maintained accordance with the strategic principles of ecological unity and reproduction of natural resources.

EXAMINING THE BUILT FORM IN SEREMBAN TOWN FOR TOWN-PLAN ANALYSIS

This paper examined the built form in Seremban town at the urban tissue scale to establish a basis for town-plan analysis of its historic urban core. A buffer was created around each location centre of 25 areas within the boundary of Seremban town (Bandar Seremban), defining an area considered to cover a walking distance of 500m radius; the urban tissues of 13 areas were selected for analysis. The location centres were identified based on geospatial data from the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia obtained in November 2020. Two distinct morphological characters exist in the current town plan of Seremban – the grid-iron (regular) and organic (irregular) patterns. The grid-iron pattern is predominantly visible in the historic urban core while the organic pattern dominates on the periphery. Also, areas identified within the boundary are sparsely distributed in the northern part while in the southern area, they are densely clustered. Therefore, the highest number of overlaps in the northern area is three, whereas up to six are identified in the southern area. This paper is a unique analysis of the built form with two distinct morphological characters. It is important in town-plan analysis of the urban form in Seremban as the study is context specific.

Shaping early twentieth century Rome: the AACAR and the contributions of Filippo Galassi and Gustavo Giovannoni

ABSTRACT The building of Rome, the new capital of Italy from the 1870s onwards, brought to the foreground the European debate between transformation and conservation. The development of the modern city and its relationship with the ancient historic core marked the Italian cultural scene at the turn of 19th century. Respect for the historical environment was the reference point for the work of numerous technical and artistic associations, which were engaged in the urban transformations of the capital and impacted both on the city's development and wider national debates. Among these, this paper focuses on the Associazione Artistica fra i Cultori di Architettura (AACAR), founded in 1890. The AACAR assumed a central role in the study, protection and design of the city, introducing the practice of building thinning and research into new urban and architectural models for the city's expansion. As influential members of the AACAR, the figures of Filippo Galassi and Gustavo Giovannoni stand out. Through their manifold cultural and institutional activities, their approach to artistic city building influenced the principles of urban and architectural design in the 1910s and 1920s, leaving a long-lasting legacy on Italian urban design.

Oudlājān documentation project: a voluntary challenge

ABSTRACT Oudlājān, the historical urban core of Tehran, has exquisite houses, mostly from the Qajar era. It is suffering from neglect. Precious buildings have collapsed, together with their tangible and intangible heritage. Despite decades of interest in this neighbourhood, there is no complete and methodical inventory and documentation of all the individual properties. The Oudlājān Documentation Project (ODP) is a voluntary effort, to create a data archive for possible future preservation, rehabilitation, conservation, and restoration projects for this built heritage.