Historic Urban Landscape Research Articles

Memory for Social Sustainability: Recalling Cultural Memories in Zanqit Alsitat Historical Street Market, Alexandria, Egypt

Historic urban landscapes (HULs) are composed of layers of imbedded tangible and intangible features such as cultural memories. As the collective memories of city inhabitants, cultural memories can affect elements of social sustainability such as health, well-being, community identity, place perception and social engagement. Utilising the popular Zanqit Alsitat (also known as ‘Zanket el-Setat’ or ‘Zane’t El-Settat’), the only remaining historical street market in Alexandria, Northern Egypt, this research proposes a theoretical model for recalling and continuity of cultural memory features in HULs, which can be used to achieve social sustainability. The research explored the site by applying a qualitative methodological approach through semi-structured in-person interviews in the study site, along with analysis of comments obtained from a research-purposed social media (Facebook) group. A qualitative data management software (NVivo12 programme) was utilised for interpretation and charting the features of stored cultural memories relating to this place. The study indicates that educing and maintaining the features of cultural memory in HULs contributes to social sustainability through its influence on the formation of place identity, sense of place, civic pride and quality of life. This framework for social sustainability in HULs can be applied by engaging social groups through participatory planning.

Urban Conservation and Sustainable Development

ABSTRACT The paper examines the process that led to the evolution of the concept of urban heritage and to its integration in the frameworks provided by the UN International Development Agenda. It looks specifically at how the UNESCO Recommendation on the 2011 Historic Urban Landscape (HUL Recommendation) has helped developing the new concept. From the Decade for Cultural Development (1988–1997) to Agenda 2030 adopted by the United Nations in 2015, a major shift has occurred in cultural policies. During the 1990s and the 2000s, several important innovations have come about, ranging from the adoption of two new international conventions, dealing with intangible heritage (2003) and with the diversity of cultural expressions (2005). An important reflection on the conservation of urban heritage spearheaded by the World Heritage Committee has led to the drafting of the Vienna Memorandum in 2005 and later to the adoption by UNESCO of the HUL Recommendation, in 2011, prompting a broader reflection on the role of cities and urban heritage in cultural policies. The adoption of the New Urban Agenda in 2016 has opened up new perspectives on urban heritage policies and on the role of culture in promoting urban regeneration and resilience.

Applying the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) Method in the Designation of Character Areas and the Physical Conservation of the Historic Urban Landscape (Case Study: Lar Old City, Fars, Iran)

Applying the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) Method in the Designation of Character Areas and the Physical Conservation of the Historic Urban Landscape (Case Study: Lar Old City, Fars, Iran)

The multivalent nexus of redevelopment and heritage conservation: A mixed-methods study of the site-level public consultation of urban development in Macao

Despite the vast literature on planning discourse at the regional level or heritage studies at the site level, lesser known are the trends and rationales of the redevelopment-versus-conservation tension generalised from development sites. In Macao, following its World Heritage inscription, mandatory public consultation and the increased authority of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (Instituto Cultural, IC) over development controls and urban design requirements have introduced a new dynamic to the constant conflict between redevelopment and conservation. This study focused on public consultation exercises for site-level urban condition plan (UCP) applications from 2014 to 2018. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to examine two interrelated aspects of public feedback: intensity (examined from a spatial perspective) and diversity (examined from a discursive perspective). The quantitative results of global and geographically weighted logistic regression analyses (n = 562) showed variegated spatial patterns of the likelihood of high public feedback, and the presence of IC recommendations had a positive effect on these patterns. Moreover, despite a downward trend of intensity over the years, the qualitative results of the content analysis (n = 55) showed that argumentative diversity remained strong with debates regarding various redevelopment/conservation methods and appeals on not only instrumental-technical but also moral-ethical and emotive-aesthetic grounds. Drawing attention to the procedural inclusiveness of UCP consultation and the de facto softening of conservation area boundaries, our empirical study engages with urban policy discourse by accentuating the theoretical and practical affinity of collaborative planning for historic urban landscapes.

Cultural Memories and Sense of Place in Historic Urban Landscapes: The Case of Masrah Al Salam, the Demolished Theatre Context in Alexandria, Egypt

Historic urban landscapes (HULs) are composed of layers of history and memories that are embedded in physical monuments, buildings, and memorials. Physical built fabric stores both personal and cultural memory through long association with communities. Rapid changes due to demolition and redevelopment change the nature of these places and, in turn, affect these memory storages. This paper investigates whether historical city inhabitants consider cultural memories important when managing their HULs. It further explores the effectiveness of cultural memory in creating a sense of place and enhancing the quality of life for inhabitants. The context of the demolished theatre ‘Masrah Al Salam’ in Alexandria, Egypt, was studied after city inhabitants angrily protested the theatre’s removal, indicating a strong community attachment to this lost place. A qualitative methodological approach to this study was applied by conducting on-site, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews supplemented by comments gathered from the Facebook group ‘Alexandria’s Spirit’. The QSR NVivo12 program was used as a qualitative tool for data management, analysis, and mapping intangible elements contributing to an assembly of cultural memories of this place. The study demonstrated the importance of cultural memory associated with urban elements such as iconic heritage buildings that create a sense of place and enhance the identity of our urban environments.

Historic Urban Landscape Approach: A New Tool for Urban Heritage Management

Historic Urban Landscape Approach: A New Tool for Urban Heritage Management

TERRITORIAL EXPLORATION TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATION ON HISTORIC URBAN LANDSCAPES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AREA OF EL EJIDO IN CUENCA, ECUADOR

Abstract. Cuenca in Ecuador is a growing city, weak in the face of the changes that the expansion phenomenon implies. The area of El Ejido was the first expansion area of the city with valuable samples of the arrival of modernity in the city. Nowadays, this sector is not exempted from the effects of urban growth and deserves to be managed through a proper management plan for its preservation. Degraded landscapes have been identified, modern heritage architecture shows clear symptoms of abandonment and low maintenance, causing the disappearance of historic buildings. Given these and other problems associated with urban development, Cuenca, like other cities, has taken the initiative of adopting the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) adopted by UNESCO in 2011, as a measure to safeguard urban heritage. In 2014, the implementation of this relatively new approach was first initiated in the pilot area of the Historic City Centre of Cuenca. This area was included in the World Heritage List in 1999 based on criteria II, IV, and V.However, aware of the significant heritage values embedded at El Ejido and its close urban and landscape link with the Historical City Center, the aim of this research is the implementation of the HUL’s approach in a specific area located in El Ejido. Due to the clear difference between this sector and the Historical City Center, it is necessary to assess the first methodology used and work on a methodology that can be extrapolated to this sector and further on to other sectors of the city. To obtain the methodology for this area, it is essential to carry out a territorial exploration in cities with similar characteristics to Cuenca that are implementing an approach based on the study of the Historical Urban Landscape Recommendation.

CONSTRUCTION HISTORY AND DIGITAL HERITAGE. EXPERIMENTATIONS ON RENAISSANCE DOMES IN CAMPANIA (ITALY)

Abstract. The paper describes an ongoing research project granted by the University of Naples Federico II (2017–2020) concerning masonry domes considered as visual poles in the historic urban landscape and as a constructively vulnerable built heritage. Studies focus on Renaissance domes in Campania region (Naples included) and combine established strategies with innovative ones for the knowledge of visible/invisible parts. Verticals and curved structures are investigated with a unitary approach, together with the pre-reinforcements placed during the construction phases or for later strengthening. These topics deal with issues crucial for the domes’ study: firstly, the overlapping of inner and outer surfaces that hide structural elements and do not enable their comprehension. In addition, we must consider the recurring difficult inspection or inaccessibility due to the big dimensions and heights from the ground. All these factors, together with the fact that decorated surfaces are a limit for the traditional diagnosis, require new investigation strategies – remote and by non-destructive methods – so as to document the invisible both for emerging and for underground parts. A model for knowledge characterized by the interlacement of ‘humanistic’ interpretation and bottom-up/bottom-down surveys is discussed. The understanding of what is invisible to direct inspection is considered a stimulating frontier for proposing innovative dissemination tools for the comprehension of cultural heritage, able to reach new communicative horizons related to the construction of complex forms of architecture. The transposition of the research outcomes into digital “accessible” data aims at having impacts for sharing a broader cultural awareness of the built heritage historical constructive significance.

Strategies for the correct contextualisation and management of drove roads in urban historic landscapes

ABSTRACT Drove roads bear testament to the social and economic relations of many Mediterranean countries over a prolonged period of time. However, scant attention has been given to the heritage value of these routes. This lack of attention is particularly significant in those historic urban landscapes that receive some type of protection as, in these cases, it would be possible to incorporate these trails as assets of heritage interest. This paper defines a methodology to reconstruct the routes of these thoroughfares in areas of heritage interest and systematically analyse the treatment of these roads by the local institutions. The article also proposes a GIS cartography to collect all the information that the authorities should compile in relation to drove roads and outlines design strategies to allow the correct insertion of these routes in urban historic landscapes. Finally, the research establishes a Web Map platform for the enhancement of these ancient thoroughfares.

Assessing the sustainable development of the historic urban landscape through local indicators. Lessons from a Mexican World Heritage City

This research tests the flexibility and transfer potential of a methodology that identifies common urban indicators and assesses their potential to monitor correlations between development factors and heritage conservation, using Querétaro city, Mexico, as the case study. This study aims to advance the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals on urban development (SDG11) and climate change (SDG13). These goals stress the importance of adequate operational tools to monitor progress and embody a juncture for coherence across distinct but intersecting strategic areas that explicitly consider natural and cultural heritage. The three steps of analysis consisted of: (a) Compilation of a list of commonly used local indicators for sustainable development; (b) Semi-automated search for indicators as factors affecting the conservation of a World Heritage City within urban management tools implemented at metropolitan, municipal, and district level; and, (c) Systematic classification of identified urban factors as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) to the conservation of a historic district listed as UNESCO World Heritage. The analysis proved relevant for the identification of 34 key development areas in which synergies with heritage conservation can be discussed as co-benefits and trade-offs. It also revealed incompatibilities on development visions across sectors and managerial levels. Conclusions elaborate on the potential of indicators to bridge ontological challenges for the correlation of urban heritage values with development factors. This methodology can advance the structuration of local adaptive governance, the refinement of urban indicators in support of evidence-based policy-making and systemic approaches for the sustainable development of urban heritage.

The Multi-Method Tool ‘PAST’ for Evaluating Cultural Routes in Historical Cities: Evidence from Cagliari, Italy

Thematic paths are a central aspect of urban policies for cultural heritage valorization. In fact, thematic paths are central spatial features for structuring the image of a historical landscape. Hence, this study proposes the cultural paths assessment tool (PAST) as a methodological framework for individuating a network of routes connecting cultural heritage components and for assessing their usefulness. Usefulness is herein defined as the potential of a street network to support the meaningful experience of a historical urban landscape. PAST combines space syntax techniques, a geographic information system, and a qualitative analysis within a multi-criteria analysis framework for addressing four aspects of connecting cultural heritage components, including: (i) the individuation of relevant assets; (ii) the identification of the sub-network of most central street segments; (iii) the definition of the street network of thematic routes; (iv) the assessment of the usefulness of thematic paths, according to the criteria of usability, imageability, and accessibility. The proposed methodology, applied to the historical district of Marina in the city of Cagliari in Italy, supports planning and design processes in two ways: (1) by identifying street segments and squares comprising a network of thematic routes; (2) by individuating high-leverage interventions for improving the usefulness of thematic routes. Consequently, the proposed study addresses the need to establish methodologies and analytic tools that support decision making processes for conserving, managing, and valorizing historic urban landscapes.

Urban landscape in sustainable transformation: cultural heritage and contemporary architecture integration within urban area

Since the debates on the New Heritage Paradigm for Managing Change in 2000s, the polemics on “cultural heritage/urban preservation” vs. “urban development”, challenges of integrating contemporary architecture within historic urban area and gaps between theory and practice still occur despite the adopted Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach in 2011. The article provides a research aimed at finding current trends in theory and practice concerning the comprehensive assessment of cultural heritage preservation and urban development practice, critical views on HUL approach and development of new alternative approaches & strategies, including the search of the new forms of urban heritage as contemporary architecture, and the best practices in integration of cultural heritage sites with contemporary architecture within urban area. It contributes to the further researches and discussions on the form, direction and capacity of contemporary architecture integration within historic urban landscape to ensure managing urban changes for sustainable urban development.

Approaches to the Concept Historical Urban Landscape. Morelia as a Case Study

The concept of historical urban landscape has proven to be a flexible instrument for the studies related to the conservation of historic sites, since it allows an integral analysis of the material and immaterial components which are implicit in the management and conservation of cultural heritage. The review of theoretical and methodological antecedents, analogous cases and interviews with experts in the topic have constituted the methodological structure of this study, whose objective is the review and application of this instrument in a Mexican case, enabling a comprehensive reading of the Historic Center of Morelia, Michoacán.

CONTEXT AS A CREATIVE TOOLKIT FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: PERSPECTIVES OF MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF URBAN HERITAGE

Integration into architectural or urban context as an evaluation criterion is claimed to be subjective and hardly substantiated. In spite of its ambiguity, it is generally accepted as one of the basic demands in architectural design. So what the context is in architectural design? The article explores specific understandings of architectural-urban context from characteristic perspectives in urban heritage protection and management. From perspective of architectural heritage protection, context is physical architectural objects nearby, perceived visually in a static mode, and respected in interventions by achieving harmonious relationship with it. From the point of view of cultural landscape, context is an interacting natural and man-made environment, constantly changing according to place-specific natural and cultural processes; its processual character and the accumulated meanings that rise from imbedded experiences ought to be continued in following architectural transformations. Historic urban landscape approach assumes that context is constantly developing through urbanization, cultural, social and economic processes, which cultural uniqueness and identity is saturated by place-based meanings, experiences and emotional relationships attributed by local community, ought to be contributed in present-day architectural transformations. From the point of view of sustainable development, context is an inherited cultural, social, material, economic resource and a source of traditional knowledge, performance and behaviours to be adapted and carried on towards a greater sensitivity to the environment, culture, climate, and place, and for the wellbeing of local community.

Un modelo conceptual para la protección de las vistas relevantes del centro histórico de Camagüey

<p>En la actualidad las vistas relevantes en paisajes urbanos históricos presentan amenazas que atentan contra su integridad visual y valores, a pesar de que son reconocidas por la comunidad científica e institucional como recursos importantes para la preservación de la identidad cultural y el desarrollo socioeconómico de las ciudades. Los estudios teórico-prácticos al respecto aún son insuficientes y presentan limitaciones en cuanto al nivel de integración en los procedimientos para su gestión. En este artículo se propone un modelo conceptual para su preservación, basado en la concepción integrada de la gestión urbana, a partir de la integración de los enfoques sistémico, estratégico, participativo y de paisaje urbano histórico. Esto presupone un proceso que contribuye al equilibrio entre la satisfacción de las necesidades de la sociedad actual y la protección de las vistas relevantes, en una concepción de mejora de ambos componentes.</p>

So Close and Yet So Far: The Distant Heritage of the Historical Urban Landscapes of Residential Districts of Tartu, Estonia

The urban landscapes of residential areas outside of historic city centres have been increasingly recognized as cultural heritage and as potentially powerful source of meaning for local identities. In Estonia, many municipalities have established milieu protection areas, among them the town of Tartu which has currently ten areas, mainly comprising residential areas developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The authorised heritage discourse proceeds from the historical values in these areas, yet in its dialogue with the public, be it via the comprehensive plan or in discussions about single projects, it focuses on setting restrictive conditions to construction and renovation, instead of properly communicating the historical values. The neighborhood societies’ input to the comprehensive plan indicates a lack of sufficient links between the historical urban landscapes and the inhabitants’ lives, often leading to the local heritage to be distant for them which in turn tends to lead to maltreatment of the historical substance. Promoting community identity formation with a narrative approach would favor these links to develop, favoring the inhabitants of these historical urban landscapes to continue the life and stories of the heritage.

Survey of Sustainable Regeneration of Historic and Cultural Cores of Cities

The united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO) considers the historic urban landscapes as the world heritages. Managing historic city centers and maintaining historic cores are the emerging challenges for sustainable urban planning. Today, the historic cores form an important part of the economic, social, environmental, and physical assets and capacities of contemporary cities, and play a strategic role in their development. One of the most important approaches to the development of central textures, especially in historical and cultural cities, is the sustainable urban regeneration approach, which encompasses all aspects of sustainability, such as the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. To maintain sustainability and regeneration of historic cores of cities, it is necessary to provide insight into the underlying characteristics of the local urbanization. Furthermore, the fundamental assets are to be investigated as indicators of sustainable regeneration and drivers of urban development. In the meantime, a variety of research and experience has taken place around the world, all of which has provided different criteria and indicators for the development of strategies for the historic cores of cities. The present study, through a meta-analytic and survey method, analyzing the experience and research reported in 139 theoretical and empirical papers in the last twenty years, seeks to provide a comprehensive conceptual model taking into account the criteria and indices of sustainable regeneration in historic cores of cities. The quality of the survey has been ensured using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA).

Historical Landscape Monitoring Through Residents’ Perceptions for Tourism: The World Heritage Porto City

ABSTRACT The objective of this work is to examine residents’ perceptions of the urban landscape in the historic city of Porto. It considers two different groups of residents (business owners and other residents) and reflects on how their perceptions could influence local policies. Empirical research has been conducted using a visual attention perspective. This research replicates a project carried out in Spain. For this paper, 600 survey questionnaires were completed. The analysis includes residents’ perception of several dimensions, such as directional signs, outdoor advertising, establishment outdoor furniture, urban furniture and green, state of pedestrian areas, conservation of buildings and monuments, automobile transportation, car traffic, the flow of visitors, and overcrowding sites. The paper provides a useful diagnosis for the debate on the processes of urban landscape monitoring, planning and management for tourism. The study findings inform a set of recommendations on safeguard of the historical urban landscape.

СТРАТЕГИЯ СОХРАНЕНИЯ СИЛУЭТА ИСТОРИЧЕСКОГО ГОРОДА (НА ПРИМЕРЕ САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГА)

The silhouette of buildings determines the identity of city panoramas and views, being one of the most striking features of the visual image of the urban landscape. Reconstruction of buildings, as well as new construction on the territory of city core contributes to the transformation of the urban image, leads to the creation of new high-rise, spatial and compositional relationships of elements. In the context of changes in the urban planning context, the silhouette is one of the most vulnerable characteristics of urban views and panoramas. The historical center of Saint Petersburg is a unique example of a complete historical and urban planning environment. The outstanding historical and cultural value of this site is the basis for the inclusion of the city core and suburbs of St. Petersburg in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Urban views and panoramas, their silhouette organization are an expression of the value characteristics of the world heritage site. In terms of urban development, the visual image and silhouette of the city are significantly affected. Based on the analysis of tools for the protection of views and panoramas of the historical urban landscape, the experience of preserving panoramas in St. Petersburg, the article identifies ways to improve legislation in the field of preserving and managing changes in the historical environment. A model for analyzing silhouette compositions, urban views and panoramas has been developed, and a system of criteria for evaluating them has been proposed based on the methodology of landscape-visual analysis. Taking into account the need to preserve value characteristics, recommendations to protect the visual image and silhouette of the city that conform the goals of sustainable development have been developed.

Planificación de Centros Históricos: Análisis de casos con enfoque de Paisaje Urbano Histórico


 
 
 Una clara percepción de la relación entre los Centros Históricos y la ciudad es vital para determinar el proceso de planificación. La gestión de los valores y atributos del Centro Histórico son un constan- te desafío que debe ser afrontado de la mejor manera con la participación ciudadana en el marco de una planificación estratégica. La presente investigación tiene por objetivo analizar la planificación de centros históricos, a través de dos experiencias latinoamericanas donde se ha aplicado el enfo- que de Paisaje Urbano Histórico (PUH). Los casos corresponden al Centro Histórico de Lima-Perú y al Centro Histórico de Cuenca-Ecuador. Si bien este enfoque, fomentado por la Unesco desde el año 2011, es controversial y discutible entre los expertos en la materia, se considera necesario e importante conocer cómo se viene implementando esta nueva herramienta para la planificación de centros históricos y los resultados que está generando