Historical Landscape Research Articles

Community Mobilisation Through Translation: A Sustainable Framework for Participatory Planning

Participatory planning in neighbourhood regeneration faces challenges, including engagement difficulties, consensus-building, implementation complexities, and expectation management. This article investigates participatory planning processes aimed at addressing the aforementioned challenges in Bijiang Village, China. Using the framework of translation, it explores how this approach facilitates community mobilisation and engagement to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically focusing on fostering sustainable communities. Translation theory comprises four moments: problematisation, interessement, enrolment, and mobilisation. The empirical studies demonstrate that these moments are dynamic and iterative. Initial problem framing, focused on historical landscapes, was unclear at first but became more defined through interest assignment, recruitment, and mobilisation. The interessement phase identifies stakeholders with shared concerns and values, empowering them early in the decision-making process. Enrolment effectively expanded participation by mobilising key stakeholders, such as clan elders and parents, through context-specific social networks and social ecology. This approach ensures that planning outcomes reflect community values and priorities. Mobilisation in Bijiang expanded participation, turned consensus into action, and fostered collective ownership and unity. Workshops, exhibitions, and focus groups translated public issues into defined community planning problems, facilitating the co-construction of solutions. These participatory methods made complex planning terms accessible, fostering deeper community involvement. The cyclical nature of problem framing and consensus-building in Bijiang Village underscores the importance of local socio-cultural context in rural regeneration. Translation theory offers a robust framework for managing complexities in participatory community planning. It demonstrates how continuous negotiation and realignment of interests through translation address immediate concerns and foster long-term engagement, contributing to sustainable development.

How Ancient Trees and Botanical Indicators Evidence Both Change and Continuity

Knowledge of ancient trees and tree-forms helps inform understanding of landscape continuity and change. Information analysis of tree-form and growth rates may be combined with precise aging through dendro-chronology and carbon dating. Until recently, much of the information has been neglected, and indeed, there was an absence of accepted methodologies. Assessments of both coppice trees and pollards, for example, now suggest that trees achieve great age (for example, 500 years+ to 1500 years or more). These trees reflect both natural processes and human management. Examined within a robust conceptual and analytical framework, these trees generate insight into landscape evolution over centuries. Tree analysis combined with archival sources and site archaeological information, including mapping of ‘botanical indicator species’, soils, and other sediments, generate reliable timelines of human–environment interactions. Drawing together diverse approaches and insights into landscape evolution helps the formulation of new concepts of historical ecology and environmental history. Importantly, such emerging paradigms trigger new ways to demonstrate how understanding past landscape evolution both informs knowledge of contemporary ecologies and may guide future site planning. However, there is a rider to these observations since case studies in Great Britain highlight the vulnerability of such historic landscapes and show how they are being rapidly erased from the countryside.

Engaging (with) Places

Places are significant for people, providing grounds for a sense of belonging, identity, and well-being. This article draws on a research project examining people-place relations within the everyday material environment of central Reykjavík. Grounded in a critical heritage studies perspective, the project aims to contribute to an understanding of how individuals ascribe meaning and value to the historic urban landscape and analyse the emotions and affective qualities that emerge through sensory engagement with places perceived as material embodiments of the past. The article addresses the method of solitary, self-led participant walks using audio-visual recording glasses, supplemented with follow-up interviews. This approach facilitates in-situ, on-the-move observations of participants’ spatial encounters, offering insights into their emotional and sensory experiences of the urban landscape. The article delineates how the method enabled participants to immerse themselves in the flow of their walks, evoking a variety of sensorial expressions, mnemonic fragments, and shared narratives prompted by encounters with the material facets of the city centre. The findings highlight the potential of the method to provide partial yet meaningful access to the affective and emotional dimensions of people’s interactions with urban spaces, offering insights into the ways individuals experience and value the historic urban landscape.

Jute mills as restorative landscapes: perceptions of environmental aesthetics in living industrial heritage

ABSTRACT This study explores the potential of industrial heritage sites to contribute to a restorative landscape by analysing the perceptions of the industrial workers towards the environmental aesthetics components. The conglomeration of operational and abandoned jute mills forms a distinctive continuous industrial landscape along both banks of the Hooghly River in West Bengal. Apart from creating a historic industrial landscape, the elements within each of the heritage jute mills contain aesthetically significant built and natural elements. Urban regeneration proposals for these sites are receiving attention from the stakeholders, where the concept of restorative landscapes may be incorporated. The study employs an empirical approach, to assess the aesthetic preferences and perceived environmental quality of jute mill environments, by the first-hand users of the site. Data was collected from 273 workers of six heritage jute mills in West Bengal, India. A binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted on the seven identified components of environmental aesthetics. The results indicate the potential and challenges of industrial heritage sites in proposing restorative landscapes. The findings highlight the contribution of these industrial heritage sites to the regional landscape, demonstrating the potential to enhance not only local worker well-being but also the overall urban environment. By integrating workers’ views, this study contributes to a more inclusive approach to industrial heritage management, offering a framework for applying restorative landscape theory to large-scale industrial sites.

Tracing the history of a Mediterranean terraced landscape: Interdisciplinary research in the Cinque Terre coastal region (NW Italy)

Tracing the history of a Mediterranean terraced landscape: Interdisciplinary research in the Cinque Terre coastal region (NW Italy)

Historical analysis of the first smallpox vaccination campaigns in early 19-century northern Italy: organisation and communication insights for contemporary epidemics' prevention and control.

In the annals of public health, smallpox is a watershed, being the first disease eradicated by vaccination. Drawing parallels to contemporary pandemic control measures, we examined the first smallpox vaccination campaigns in early 19th-century northern Italy and the seminal work of Luigi Sacco. Our study delves into this under-explored historical landscape to elucidate lessons that resonate with modern public health dilemmas. We scrutinised primary sources from the Historical Civic Archive of Pavia, the State Archive of Pavia, and the State Archive of Milan. These archives provided exhaustive data on administrative decrees, local epidemiology, and university-health authority collaborations. Using period-specific keyword searches and expert consultations, we extensively reviewed correspondence, vaccination lists, and academic writings, including Luigi Sacco's seminal Trattato di vaccinazione. The epidemiological investigation focused on the pivotal period of 1816-1828 in Lombardy's 19th-century public health landscape. Organisational reforms enacted in 1821 succeeded in doubling the number of vaccinations administered in Pavia, stabilising at elevated rates in subsequent years. Despite improvements, incongruities in epidemiological data and vaccinator remuneration persisted. Communication strategies pioneered by Sacco, encompassing academic and religious collaborations, demonstrated their efficacy. Epidemiological data revealed an initial surge in vaccination uptake in 1822, with a declining trend in the following years, notably impacted by logistical and data recording limitations. Our research underscores three salient dimensions pertinent to contemporary public health paradigms: first, the vital function of local administrative bodies as efficacious service providers, immunisation register keepers, and social safety nets; second, the equilibrium between mandatory vaccination policies and discretionary enforcement as a pragmatic framework for public compliance; lastly, the irrefutable importance of credible communication strategies in fighting vaccine hesitancy. These insights are not merely historical curiosities but cardinal principles for effectively managing modern epidemics and infectious disease threats.

Analysis and precision of a low cost GNSS receiver for georeference in cultural heritage and historic landscape for an HBIM environment

Analysis and precision of a low cost GNSS receiver for georeference in cultural heritage and historic landscape for an HBIM environment

Cartographic data and the Great War: an HGIS for tactical cartography

ABSTRACT Historical military maps produced since the First World War (FWW), an underexplored class of archival document, present attractive targets for historical geographic information systems (HGIS) methods due to the large amount of data they contain and - because such maps were often produced in series - opportunities to combine spatial and temporal analysis. HGIS has become a powerful analytical tool for exploring past events and reconstructing historical landscapes. However, a consistent theme in criticisms of HGIS methods is the high investment in terms of time and labor that researchers must devote to creating spatial databases. One method of overcoming this challenge is for researchers to employ effective design for the spatial databases into which they deposit the data they extract from map documents. This paper uses an exploration of the American Expeditionary Force's (AEF) maps from the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne in 1918 to showcase an enhanced entity relationship (EER) database structure for organizing the data coded into these battle maps. Moreover, this paper highlights three HGIS methods for using analyzing the resultant data that demonstrate the value of the database structure for historical analysis.

Towards a New Paradigm in Quranic Exegesis: Exploring the Evolution and Practice of Munasabah in the Context of Posthumanism

The article explores the concept of "Munasabah Al-Quran" as a methodology for studying the Quran in Indonesia, stressing the importance of exploring thematic connections within Islam's holiest book while situating it within Indonesia's unique cultural, social, and historical landscape. This approach seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding of the Quran's teachings and their relevance to the daily lives of Indonesian Muslims. Through the integration of conventional hermeneutics with modern methods, the aim is to link the sacred scripture with the specific circumstances of the community. Collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and researchers is paramount in promoting and disseminating these ideas through digital platforms and educational initiatives. The goal of the study is the enrichment of Islamic knowledge in Indonesia and the promotion of a more profound, contextually relevant interpretation of the faith. As understanding of the Quran evolves from its classical foundations to its modern impact in Indonesia, scholars agree that contextualization can enhance understanding as long as it preserves the integrity and authority of the text. Munasabah Al-Quran holds great potential to address contemporary religious and societal challenges, but requires careful, thorough examination to ensure its success.

Assessing visual quality of historical agricultural landscapes: a study of dovecotes in the Isfahan Plain

Understanding the visual evaluation of historical agricultural landscapes by various communities is essential for conserving landscapes and managing the growth of residential areas adjacent to these landscapes. This research assesses the quality of agricultural landscapes surrounding dovecotes in the Isfahan Plain of Iran. To this end, visual concepts introduced by Tveit et al. along with a normative indicator (pleasantness), were questioned. Three respondent groups, categorised based on their knowledge and life experience with dovecotes (experts, no-experience group, close-experience group), responded to a picture inquiry. Finally, the statistical results of the groups indicated that all the examined visual concepts were related to pleasantness and collectively formed the visual integrity of these agricultural landscapes. It was also found that in some evaluated concepts, people’s life experiences influence landscape assessment. This means that people with a deeper experience and background regarding historical agricultural landscapes will appreciate these landscapes more.

Enhancing preservation of ancient buildings through color imagery analysis and activation: take yuelu academy as an example

ABSTRACT The pivotal role of color imagery analysis and activation has been insufficiently explored in the realm of historic heritage conservation. This study addresses this issue by introducing a comprehensive methodological framework that encompasses acquisition, analysis, activation, and application of color information based on the NCD (Nippon Color & Design) color system, an innovative color semantic quantification theory. Utilizing the venerable Yuelu Academy (from A.D. 976) as a case study, color imagery analysis methods across diverse spatial scales have been summarized. Subsequently, these results are applied to activate the surrounding environment color, as well as its cultural souvenirs. The methodologies outlined herein hold profound significance in addressing challenges concerning visual color continuity in the preservation of historic architectural landscapes, offering innovative perspectives.

Anthropogenized Karst Landscapes in the Area of the Pismata Locality in the Canyon Valley of the Rusenski Lom River near the Village of Ivanovo

The present paper is an attempt to reconstruct and assess the impact of localized, studied and documented permanent changes in anthropogenic rock sections, forms and formations. The karst rock crown shapes to a large extent the area of Pismata near the village of Ivanovo, Ruse region. It has for centuries suffered an active anthropogenic impact. The same has led to the gradual transformation of the vast majority of natural rock niches, caves, sheds, rock bridges and other karst formations into sites with different purposes for humans. The stages of human economic, household and cultural activity in the region have influenced the modern appearance of entire rock sections, passages, terraces and have led to the gradual formation of typical samples of anthropogenic karst landscapes. These samples can be used as a model and comparative material in identifying and studying different types of architectural, cultural and historical anthropogenic karst landscapes in the canyon valleys of the Rusenski Lom River and its tributaries, and in other areas with similar landscapes.

Street Tree Redevelopment in Rome’s Historical Landscapes: From Strategic Vision to Streetscape Design

Street Tree Redevelopment in Rome’s Historical Landscapes: From Strategic Vision to Streetscape Design

Post-Fire Restoration of the Vegetation at the Cemetery of the Tatoi Estate Historical Site

The restoration of historical landscapes is crucial for preserving the cultural heritage. This study focuses on the cemetery of the former royal Tatoi estate, a historical site severely damaged by a wildfire in 2021. The fire almost completely eradicated the vegetation on Palaeokastro hill, necessitating a comprehensive vegetation restoration strategy. This research aims to restore the natural environment and historical landscape landmarks and improve future fire protection conditions. This study emphasizes creating a firebreak zone through thinning vegetation, aiding natural regeneration, and planting new seedlings, particularly Aleppo pines and cypresses. We recommend thinning interventions to reduce tree density, which improves the health of the remaining trees and lowers the fire risk. Additionally, the restoration of historical pathways, including cypress-lined routes, is proposed to preserve the cultural landscape. This study underscores the importance of maintaining the historical integrity and enhancing the resilience of the landscape against future fires.

Contributions to Architectural and Urban Resilience Through Vulnerability Assessment: The Case of Mozambique Island’s World Heritage

Mozambique Island, a UNESCO World Heritage property, faces significant challenges due to climate change and extreme weather events. This study proposes a comprehensive framework for assessing morphological vulnerabilities and enhancing urban resilience in this unique historical urban landscape. The research methodology involves a thorough analysis of historical cartography, urban evolution, topography, and vernacular architecture, combined with recent conservation assessments and case studies from other climate-vulnerable regions. This study reveals the island’s dual urban structure, comprising the Stone and Lime town and the Macuti town, each with distinct morphological characteristics and vulnerabilities. Historical maps and topographical analysis demonstrate how the island’s geography has shaped its urban development, with the Stone and Lime town built on higher ground and the Macuti town situated at or below sea level, increasing its flood risk. The research highlights the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with resilience strategies while respecting the authenticity and integrity of the World Heritage property. Key findings include the need for a GIS-based management tool for continuous conservation assessment, and the crucial role of community engagement in implementing resilience mechanisms. This study contributes to the broader discourse on cultural heritage as a contributor to architectural and urban resilience, offering valuable insights for other World Heritage properties facing similar climate challenges. The proposed framework emphasizes the importance of balancing heritage preservation with adaptive strategies, while enhancing the island’s resilience facing climate-related threats.

Predicting the impact of targeted fence removal on connectivity in a migratory ecosystem.

Fencing is one of the most widely utilized tools for reducing human-wildlife conflict in agricultural landscapes. However, the increasing global footprint of fencing exceeds millions of kilometers and has unintended consequences for wildlife, including habitat fragmentation, movement restriction, entanglement, and mortality. Here, we present a novel and quantitative approach to prioritize fence removal within historic migratory pathways of white-bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) across Kenya's Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem. Our approach first assesses historic and contemporary landscape connectivity of wildebeest between seasonal ranges by incorporating two sets of GPS tracking data and fine-scale fencing data. We then predict connectivity gains from simulated fence removal and evaluate the impact of different corridor widths and locations on connectivity and removal costs derived from locally implemented interventions. Within the study system, we found that modest levels of fence removal resulted in substantial connectivity gains (39%-54% improvement in connectivity for 15-140 km of fence line removed). By identifying the most suitable corridor site, we show that strategically placed narrow corridors outperform larger, more expensive interventions. Our results demonstrate how and where targeted fence removal can enhance connectivity for wildlife. Our framework can aid in identifying suitable and cost-effective corridor restoration sites to guide decision-makers on the removal of fences and other linear barriers. Our approach is transferable to other landscapes where the removal or modification of fences or similar barriers is a feasible mitigation strategy to restore habitat and migratory connectivity.

Biodiversity Change in Cultural Landscapes-The Rural Hotspot Hypothesis.

A dramatic decrease of biodiversity is currently questioning human-environment interactions that have shaped ecosystems over thousands of years. In old cultural landscapes of Central and East European (CEE) countries, a vast species decline has been reported for various taxa although intensive land cultivation has been reduced in favor of agroecological transformation, nature conservation and sustainable land management in the past 30 years. Thus, in the recent history, agricultural intensification cannot solely be discussed as the major driver controlling biodiversity. In cultural landscapes, we state that drivers and pressures mainly emerge from the backyards of rural settlements that act as interconnected rural hotspots and therefore form an ecological metapopulation in which small-scale backyard habitats are capable of preserving and exchanging species pools of the historical cultural landscape. We further argue that shifting sociocultural norms significantly affecting the survival of source populations in rural hotspots and drastically limit their dispersal pathways, which triggers the degradation of the rural metapopulation in recent times. Pressures of cultivation shift, landscape decoupling, structural homogenization, and use of technology and agrochemicals are identified as backyard ecological drivers negatively affecting biodiversity preservation, particularly in the surrounding rural landscape. Spatiotemporal dimensions of backyard pressures involving material fluxes, species exchange and retention, alternation of site conditions, and local genetic adaptation are delineated for different backyard features, including building structures, gardens, lawns, and paved grounds. Finally, we propose a future research agenda to quantify effects and trends of rural hotspots and followed patterns of altered species dynamics. We give an example on the use of satellite time series to remotely map rural backyard habitats and reveal significant spatiotemporal trends induced by small-scale human behavior that may lead to a new socioecological perception and stimulate actions to shape ecological dynamics emerging from the backyards of human settlements.

:The Historic Landscape of Catalonia: Landscape History of a Mediterranean Country in the Middle Ages

:<i>The Historic Landscape of Catalonia: Landscape History of a Mediterranean Country in the Middle Ages</i>

Historic core of Sarajevo in the frame of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach – review of the effects on the ground

PurposeRecognisable urban fabric of Sarajevo was developed over different periods throughout history. The historic core called Bascarsija (Bašcaršija) was designated as protected area by the Regulatory plan in 1975. Establishing boundaries for the protection of the historic area triggered attitude, which expanded to embrace other architectural ensembles too and, with the decision’s final passage, even a wider area. Sarajevo is proclaimed as Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) in 2020 by the Decision of the Commission to preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This paper aims to evaluate effects of HUL approach applied on the case of Sarajevo, which is mostly limited to the new adjustments made to the governing of the protected areas.Design/methodology/approachReferring to the HUL Recommendation, the content of the current decision as well as its practical implications and the extent of stakeholder engagement was evaluated, and the summary of practical results, if any, three years (since 2020) after the adaptation.FindingsHUL approach applied on case of Sarajevo is currently reflected only as a Decision with limited practical effects. This paper, therefore, defined the missing tools. Also, it was possible to distinguish positive and negative effects, and limitations of the applied HUL approach reflected in practice.Originality/valueAccording to the international legislation, HUL is understood to be a comprehensive approach that covers a greater area in order to improve urban living sustainably and encourage the preservation of historic assets. Learning from the case of Sarajevo, from its consequences on the ground and limitations for successful application, this paper contributes to the understanding of the HUL approach.

Is There an Optimal Way to Pass on Historical and Cultural Landscapes?

As times evolve, historical and cultural landscapes continue to emerge, yet the question of how to perceive and adopt appropriate measures for their preservation and transmission remains a perplexing one. This study synthesizes and analyzes various scholars perspectives on the choice between preserving original forms and embracing modernization, while debating these issues in the context of rural landscape preservation cases in China. The papers significant contribution lies in its emphasis on the uncertainties of memory and history, along with the inherent imperfection of landscape preservation. The challenge of preservation is not merely to determine what to protect or discard, but to maintain an openness to the past, ensuring that the present remains ephemeral rather than fixed. Furthermore, it calls for a deeper understanding of landscapes in cultural heritage work to ensure that their multidimensional values and cultural significance are thoroughly respected and preserved.