Historic Urban Landscape Research Articles

A Comprehensive Review of Studies Focusing on the Intersection of Urban Flooding and Historic Urban Landscapes

Abstract Due to evolving climate patterns and the deterioration of infrastructure in historic cities, these urban locales confront escalating flood-related risks. A profusion of academic discourse has separately explored the subjects of urban flooding and historic urban landscapes, but an integrative, systematic review of both areas concurrently remains scarce. This review presents a holistic perspective of the convergence between urban flooding and historic urban landscapes, meticulously evaluating 101 scholarly articles sourced from the Web of Science database spanning from 2006 to 2022. The disciplinary classification encompasses 24 categories. A careful examination of the methodologies employed in these articles reveals flood vulnerability mapping as a prevalent tool in urban heritage conservation, while nature-based solutions emerge as potent strategies for mitigating urban flooding challenges. The insights derived from this review shed light on the present state of affairs regarding urban flooding risks in historic cities, and provide a wealth of information beneficial to decision-makers and practitioners engaged in urban stormwater management.

The Development of HUL (Historic Urban Landscape) Concept for Community Based Conservation in Surabaya City

The Development of HUL (Historic Urban Landscape) Concept for Community Based Conservation in Surabaya City

Trends and Future Directions in Research on the Protection of Traditional Village Cultural Heritage in Urban Renewal

The process of urbanization has accelerated economic growth while also presenting social challenges. Urban renewal is crucial for achieving sustainable urban development, especially by preserving traditional villages as cultural heritage sites within cities. This study employs Python algorithm programming and visual analysis functions to conduct a bibliometric analysis of 408 research papers on the preservation of traditional village cultural heritage in urban renewal from 1999 to 2023 in the Web of Science core database. The objective is to examine the historical background, current status, and future trends in this area. The analysis explores cooperation networks, co-citation relationships, co-occurrence patterns, and emerging characteristics of research on traditional village cultural heritage protection in urban renewal. It focuses on various aspects, such as authors, institutions, countries, journals, documents, and keywords. The results indicate that the study of traditional village cultural heritage protection in urban renewal can be divided into three developmental stages. “Sustainable development”, “cultural heritage”, “historic urban landscapes”, and “rural revitalization” are the research hotspots and future trends in this field. The results of this study provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of research hotspots in this field and can help researchers willing to work in this research area quickly understand the research frontiers and the general situation.

The public participation in the implementation of the UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape approach

The public participation in the implementation of the UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape approach

Bridging Heritage and Citizens: A Methodological Consultation-Based Approach

ABSTRACT This study stems from the contemporary need to establish a connection between heritage and citizens, a fundamental element in heritage preservation and a safeguard for authenticity and identity values. 1 The study bridges the gap between theory and practice by proposing a methodology based on diagnosis and subsequent proposals to bring heritage closer to the local population. The case study used for this purpose has been the city of Seville, Spain, and it primarily focuses on built heritage and the Historic Urban Landscape. The methodology outlined in this article comprises three phases: (1) Survey and Data Collection, involving the design and implementation of a perception-focused survey; (2) Results Analysis and Evaluation, where the obtained data is statistically analysed, subsequently evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively with a proposed a KPI system; (3) Strategic Planning: finally, as a final outcome, the study utilises the previous evaluation to formulate objectives and an action plan to enhance the local community’s heritage relationship. It is expected that the proposed methodology for this case study will be applicable to other similar contexts.

Developing Heritage Preservation on Ilha de Moçambique Using a Historic Urban Landscape Approach

In 2011, a new approach was introduced into the management of heritage on Ilha de Moçambique by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Known as the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach, this seeks to expand current understanding of the island’s historic urban heritage, recognising that ‘heritage’ is not limited solely to monuments or the built environment. Importantly, HUL incorporates urban sustainable development within the scope of heritage preservation. Given this, the adoption of the HUL approach has the potential to contribute to ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the built heritage, as prescribed by the 1972 UNESCO Convention, of Ilha de Moçambique, and effectively maintaining the Outstanding Universal Values that resulted in the declaration of the island as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. This paper discusses how local communities use the resources and heritage available to them and the central role of commerce, and the marketplace, in the heritage landscape of the island. A critical aspect of this is the sale of antiquities, including archaeological items, to tourists. Perspectives developed within the Rising from the Depths (RftD) network recently supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) UK, with funding from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), offer positive alternative solutions to overcome this challenging situation. In particular, the network sought to identify how the tangible submerged and coastal Marine Cultural Heritage (MCH) of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar, and its associated intangible aspects, can be utilised to stimulate ethical, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in the region. Our paper demonstrates how the implementation of the RftD initiative when combined with the HUL approach can help to increase awareness among communities on Ilha de Moçambique about the relevance of their heritage and the need for preserving it while meeting everyday needs.

Assessing fragility functions of unreinforced masonry buildings

The seismic vulnerability entrenched within the historical urban landscapes of Algeria serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive risk management strategies, particularly concerning low and medium height unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. These architectural gems, rich in cultural significance, stand as tangible embodiments of Algeria's storied past. However, their susceptibility to seismic disturbances presents an immediate threat, demanding meticulous attention and innovative methodologies for effective risk assessment and mitigation. In a pioneering scholarly pursuit, this research embarks on an ambitious exploration, melding fragility functions and a sophisticated vulnerability index method to unravel the intricate tapestry of seismic risk assessment. Through the lens of fragility functions, the study delves into a nuanced analysis, probabilistically delineating the vulnerabilities entrenched within the complex framework of URM buildings. Furthermore, the meticulous derivation of vulnerability functions via the vulnerability index method enhances the granularity of risk assessment, providing a multifaceted perspective to discern vulnerabilities accurately. Central to this investigation is the Belouizdad district, a microcosm of historical significance nestled within the vibrant metropolis of Algiers. By scrutinizing seismic scenarios spanning a spectrum of intensities (ranging from VII to X), the study orchestrates a symphony of empirical data and analytical prowess, unraveling the potential seismic reverberations poised to impact the district's architectural heritage. In essence, this scholarly endeavor transcends the confines of mere academic pursuit, serving as a guiding light illuminating the path towards tailored seismic reduction policies. It stands as a clarion call to safeguard Algeria's architectural patrimony, fostering resilience amidst the tremors of uncertainty and ensuring the preservation of its cultural legacy for generations to come.

Evolution of cultural landscape heritage layers and value assessment in urban countryside historic districts: the case of Jiufeng Sheshan, Shanghai, China

The heritage value of the historic urban countryside, as a remnant in the transition between the urban boundary and the natural environment, is a consequence of the spatial and temporal evolution of the city. However, through repeated social transformations, the conflicts between urban construction and cultural landscape heritage preservation have increased, resulting in the gradual disappearance of their cultural landscape heritage. This study takes the Sheshan Urban Countryside Historic District in Shanghai and interprets the layers of Sheshan's cultural landscape heritage into five periods, Emergence, Development and Exploration, Diversity and Prosperity, Turbulence and Change, and Stability and Precipitation. It analyzes the evolution of the layers of the cultural landscape heritage by applying Historic Urban Landscape Historic Land use Assessment (HUL) and interpreting the layers of the cultural heritage of Sheshan using Historical Landscape Assessment (HLA) to identify the characteristics and values of Sheshan's layers of heritage. The study indicates that the cultural landscape heritage of Jiufeng Sheshan exhibits four types of stratigraphic relationships: accretion, juxtaposition, overlay, and decline. This findings suggest a continuous evolutionary feature of superposition of multiple stratigraphic patterns. Moreover, the heritage value of the cultural landscape layers of Jiufeng Sheshan has shown a higher growth rate in the modern period. The integrity and survival status of modern religious and scientific buildings are more complete compared to the literati gardens and Buddhist relics. Based on the knowledge and value assessment of its cultural landscape heritage, it is necessary to intervene in the concept of living conservation and renewal of landscape heritage. This involves devising a conservation and renewal strategy for cultural landscape heritage that conforms to the law of historical stratification and connect the scattered historical and cultural relics. This study provides a reference for the conservation and inheritance of cultural landscape heritage in urban countryside historical areas and the organic renewal of urban and rural heritage.

Urban Heritage Facility Management: A Conceptual Framework for the Provision of Urban-Scale Support Services in Norwegian World Heritage Sites

This study validated the theoretical keypoints obtained from a previously published scoping literature review within the context of three Norwegian World Heritage sites: Røros, Rjukan, and Notodden. The cross-sectional table of the urban heritage facility management (UHFM) framework, which is based on interviews and correspondence, demonstrates the connection between the tasks of the six clusters of technical departments responsible for the provision of urban-scale support services and the modified critical steps of the Historic Urban Landscape approach, in which an additional step for “monitoring and evaluation” was included. UHFM operates at the intersection of heritage preservation, urban-scale facility management, and stakeholder coordination, which requires a careful balance between urban heritage conservation and sustainable urban management practices, thus enabling the preservation of World Heritage status that, among others, fosters sustainable tourism. The three case studies highlighted the significance of UHFM in preserving heritage value, authenticity, visual quality, and significance. Besides providing comprehensive support services that extend beyond the daily tasks of conservators and World Heritage managers, UHFM also allows feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement. This study highlighted the complex relationship between the provision of urban-scale support services and the preservation of Outstanding Universal Value as the core business of World Heritage sites.

Spatiotemporal evolution of urban landscapes in Chinese historic water towns (1918–2021)

This study explores the spatiotemporal evolution of urban landscapes in 19 Chinese historic water towns in the northern Zhejiang plain. Utilising historical maps and remote sensing images, we derived 2-D morphological patterns from town ground plans in 1918, 1969, 2000, and 2021 to represent urban landscape fractions (buildings, lands, and waters). Morphology-based landscape metrics reveal three distinct periods of urban landscape dynamics over the past century: stabilisation (1918–1969), accelerated growth (1969–2000), and high-speed growth (2000–2021). Our findings present a diminishing role of rivers in shaping land fragments and urban riverscapes, behind which is the weakening conventional water-human relationship during water towns’ modern urbanisation. The results offer insights into shifting water town landscape patterns and regional landscape heterogeneity, prompting further considerations of hydrology-oriented urban design and planning to conserve historic urban landscapes.

Re-Assessing Hagia Sophia and Istanbul Land Walls through the Lens of Cultural Landscape Concept

Istanbul Historic Peninsula hosts diverse cultural heritage values that represent overlapping cultural layers lasting from the Ancient Greek city of Byzantion to the present city. This study examines the contribution of cultural landscape and historic urban landscape approaches to the conservation of heritage values in the Istanbul Historic Peninsula. Two of four UNESCO World Heritage sites, Hagia Sophia and Istanbul Land Walls are selected as case studies that are the architectural and urban scale components of the city’s image. This study aims to attribute to the world heritage sites of Hagia Sophia and Land Walls, which face the risk of loss of authenticity, integrity and outstanding universal value, the concept of cultural landscape, which enables the holistic and sustainable protection of the values and components of these sites. This study reveals the changing and continuing values of which are overlapped on a monument and a site.

Preservation of the Urban Historical Landscape as a Response to the Challenges of War

This paper focuses attention on the importance of preserving objects of the historical urban landscape, which the authors consider as a response to the challenges of war. The relevance of the study is due to the desire of Ukraine to follow European values in the formation of urban spaces. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the essential, to be preserved, characteristics of the elements of historical urban landscapes - gardens and squares. In the work, the analysis of the stages of formation of elements of the historical urban landscape is carried out on the example of a garden and a square in the cities of Poltava and Kharkov; factors and patterns that influenced the features of their architectural and landscape formation are identified; the main characteristics of the spatial planning and landscape organization of the studied objects are revealed. A new research algorithm for Ukrainian practice will strengthen the scientific justification of projects for the preservation and revival of the country's historical urban landscape objects, as a response to the challenges of the post-war period. The result of the study can be used in works aimed at preserving historical urban landscapes in various urban conditions.

Reconstructing historical urban landscapes from KH-9 HEXAGON mapping camera system imagery: an example of Hangzhou City

ABSTRACT Declassified images from the Keyhole (KH)-9 HEXAGON mapping camera system (MCS) offer fine-scale details of urban regions. However, these images have seldom been utilized in urban research due to challenges in labelling (collecting training samples), having only a single panchromatic band and classification. To tackle these limitations, this paper focuses on developing a multi-stage reconstructed historical fine-scale urban landscape (RHFUL) pipeline for KH-9 HEXAGON MCS. The proposed pipeline first integrates internalized parameters, hierarchical object-based image analysis properties and class variability to synthesize new features, abbreviated to IHC. Second, the pipeline uses a weak semi-automated supervised labelling (WSSL) approach to acquire training samples. Finally, the training samples and generated features are subjected to the SegNet deep learning architecture. The performance of each step was assessed against corresponding state-of-the-art benchmark approaches for each of synthesizing features, labelling and classification. In the proposed RHFUL pipeline, the proposed IHC provided the most salient information for urban classification, WSSL labelled urban features more accurately, and the SegNet architecture classified more accurately the urban features relative to the benchmarks. Considering the potential advantages, but also limitations of KH-9 HEXAGON MCS images, further research should be undertaken, particularly drawing on the current advances in pattern recognition techniques for contemporary digital satellite sensors.

PLAXIS 3D numerical analysis of complex geotechnical problems of colossal built heritage

The paper aims to contribute to the preservation of high valuable historic masonry structures and historic urban landscapes through the combination of geotechnical, structural engineering. The main objective of the study is to conduct finite element analysis (FEA) of bearing saturated soft clay soil problems and induced structural failure mechanisms. This analysis is based on experimental and numerical studies using coupled PLAXIS 3D FE models. The paper presents a geotechnical analytical model for the measurement of stresses, deformations, and differential settlement of saturated clay soils under colossal stone/brick masonry structures. The study also discusses the behavior of soft clay soils under Qasr Yashbak through numerical analysis, which helps in understanding the studied behavior and the loss of soil-bearing capacity due to moisture content or ground water table (G.W.T) changes. The paper presents valuable insights into the behavior of soft clay soils under colossal stone/ brick masonry structures. The present study summarized specific details about the limitations and potential sources of error in Finite Element Modeling (FEM). Further field research and experimental analysis may be required to address these limitations and enhance the understanding of the studied soft clay soil behavior. The geotechnical problems in historic monuments and structures such as differential settlement are indeed important issues for their conservation since it may induce serious damages. It deserves more in-depth researches.

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

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

The Contribution of Typological Studies to the Integrated Rehabilitation of Traditional Buildings: Heritage Enhancement of Urban Centres in Inner Alentejo, Portugal

The urban centres of inland Alentejo (southern Portugal) have long faced a depopulation crisis which, besides undermining the cohesion of the communities, compromises the conservation of the architectural heritage. The tendency to apply the discourses on tourism and population pressures from coastal cities to these inland territories can be detrimental to their analysis given the sheer difference in demographic dynamics. Transformations in traditional architecture—a key facet for defining these historic urban landscapes—require analysing within this social context. The imperative need to rehabilitate traditional buildings, endowing them with the living conditions communities today require, must be guided by morphological analysis, knowledge of housing history, typologies, and traditional construction techniques. This rehabilitation concept integrates into the transformation processes that traditional architecture has been undergoing for centuries, constituting adaptable and flexible structures across their organisational variants, which should be studied through a prospective approach. The article characterises the transformation of urban domestic architecture in the region, from the early modern period to the present. The results of various research projects are summarised, gathering over 500 cases. The conclusion argues that the historical process itself results in a set of themes, tools, and opportunities for these buildings’ adaptation to current needs.

Research on the Influencing Mechanism of Historic Urban Landscape Characteristics on Public Sentiments and the Spatio-temporal Differentiation Patterns—A Case Study of Shaoxing Ancient City in Zhejiang Province, China

Research on the Influencing Mechanism of Historic Urban Landscape Characteristics on Public Sentiments and the Spatio-temporal Differentiation Patterns—A Case Study of Shaoxing Ancient City in Zhejiang Province, China

ULUS’TA ROMA AKSLARINI YENIDEN TANIMLAMAK

Ankara is one of the oldest settlement in Anatolia for different civilizations. Ulus city center and its surroundings were a significant settlement during the Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman periods as well as today. However, despite the cultural and historical background of the city, historical structures before 20th century are not legible in the urban pattern. Today, Roman structures in Ulus are disconnected from each other due to dense buildings and vehicle roads within the developing urban pattern. The traces of Roman which is a significant historical and cultural value of the city cannot be perceived holistically in today's urban pattern. The starting point of study is necessity of reconsidering the historical environment in today's city in order to contribute to the urban identity and maintain the historical-cultural heritage. In this context, traces of Roman era in Ulus are handled. By using maps, photographs, qualitative observations and literature sources, it is aimed to identify the problems in current situation and to integrate and redefine the historical environment with today's urban fabric. Hence, the two main roads of ancient Roman city; cardo maximus and decumanus maximus that were typical elements of Roman urban planning need to be reemerged and redefined in the modern urban fabric. While redefining them, an uninterrupted circulation of pedestrians between the Roman bath, Agustus Temple, Julien Column and amphi theater is aimed. It is suggested to make a cultural and touristic pedestrian route by connecting the Roman structures and this pedestrian route is suggested as a route that can continue to Ankara Castle after the theater and is followed within the different historical layers of the city. The suggested route is starting from Roman places and it connects other historical places from Turks. Historical urban landscapes and ancient roads are passages and thresholds that connects history and present. Thus, walking on these roads different experiences can be gained both while walking and when making a stop. There is also time, space and culture transitions and experiences, with pauses in the monuments and open areas at certain points on the route.

The connections between Historic Urban Landscape layers in Jingdezhen, the porcelain capital of China

The Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach offers an innovative integrated approach to urban conservation based on layering analysis. However, adapting the HUL layering model to the East Asian context, particularly China, is problematic. This issue can be addressed by incorporating connection analysis into the HUL approach. The current study emphasises the need to consider the interwoven spatial structure of the urban landscape and treat deeper cultural-natural ties as those embodied in the traditional Chinese concept of Fengshui. Taking Jingdezhen, the historic centre of China’s traditional ceramics industry, as a case study, this study demonstrates local knowledge of natural geography and local intelligence regarding settlement location and design. The results indicate that the natural system is at the core of Jingdezhen’s HUL, and the elements of nature, function and spirit form a holistic and interactive system.

World Heritage as a balancing act: experiences from a medium-sized World Heritage City in Bavaria

The Town of Bamberg has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993 due to its medieval urban layout and its well preserved buildings mostly from the Middle Ages and the Baroque era. A large part of the historic streets and squares still exist. They make up an essential part of the city’s public space. Yet, the demands placed on this public space are currently undergoing some changes – especially under the influence of climate change and the Corona pandemic.In line with the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, Bamberg’s urban fabric is based on the historical stratification of cultural and natural values and features. The urban fabric relates to the landscape in which it is embedded – river Regnitz and the surrounding hills – as well as to religious traditions, trade activities and building customs. The aim of this paper is to analyze recent developments in the planning and use of public spaces in Bamberg taking into account current methods of participation. In 2020, the City of Bamberg was awarded the contract by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Construction and Home Affairs, for a project period of seven years as part of the "Smart Cities Model Projects" funding programme to promote digitalization at all levels of urban development. Accordingly, the contribution of digital technologies to urban planning and of citizen participation will receive special attention.