Urban Heritage Research Articles

Enhancing authenticity in historic districts via soundscape design

AbstractHistoric districts play an important role in urban planning and protection. While previous research on soundscapes has focused on acoustic comfort or preferences in these districts, the aspect of authenticity has been somewhat overlooked. Therefore, this study proposes a methodology for constructing soundscapes that enhance the authenticity of such districts. Using the grounded theory approach, we identified four key components for enhancing authenticity via soundscapes: the aim of soundscape design, physical and cultural characteristics of soundscapes, the effects of soundscapes, and the influence of spatial characteristics on soundscapes. A theoretical framework was developed to illustrate the enhancement of authenticity in historic districts via soundscapes. To verify the applicability and advancement of the proposed framework, it was compared with methodologies and steps obtained from previous soundscape research in historic districts. This study underscores the significance of soundscape design in creating authenticity in historic districts, thereby contributing to the development of soundscape design in historic districts and offering sustainable solutions for the protection and renewal of urban cultural heritage.

Spatial Remodeling of Industrial Heritage from the Perspective of Urban Renewal: A Case Study of Coal Mine Site in Jiaozuo City

Resource-oriented cities are faced with the problems of the decline of traditional industries, exhaustion of resources, and wastage of space. Faced with these problems, urban renewal has become an important role and is widely used in the reuse of old and abandoned spaces. As a historical witness of the industrial revolution and urbanization process, coal mine industrial heritage not only has the value of material heritage but also carries rich historical and cultural information. However, with the adjustment of industrial structure, much coal mine industrial heritage has gradually lost its original production function and become neglected idle space in cities, and industrial buildings and equipment in these spaces have been abandoned or dismantled. The study takes the Wangfeng Mine site in Jiaozuo City, Henan Province as an example, combined with the urban development history and current situation of Jiaozuo city, it discusses the remodeling strategy of industrial heritage space from the perspective of urban renewal. Firstly, through case analysis, historical data sorting, and field research, the study integrated the historical development context of the Jiaozuo coal mine site and its impact on the urban spatial pattern, secondly, discussed the practical problems in the reuse process of industrial sites, and finally proposed specific spatial remodeling strategies based on the conjugation theory. This included determining how to deal with the three pairs of conjugated relations between protection and development, function and ecology, and history and modernity so as to make the spatial remodeling strategy of industrial sites more scientific and sustainable. To promote the sustainable and healthy development of urban industrial heritage space.

Investigating the collective memory of traditional markets in Downtown Amman

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the collective memory of urban cultural heritage sites for selected traditional markets in Down town Amman city – Jordan. The study also introduces the concepts urban artifacts and architectural archetypes as an urban/architectural framework for investigating the collective memory of traditional markets.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed a qualitative research methodology with a (bottom-up) approach focusing on narrative and structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with 20 participants in each market. This was in addition to archival data collection and site observations.FindingsThe study revealed that the users of the two markets do have a shared collective memory manifested in multiple forms of cultural expressions. It also revealed the significant role of collective memory in fostering recognition of the urban and cultural significance of the two markets in the form of architectural archetypes and urban artifacts.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes in further developing the understanding of architectural heritage in the context of collective memory, and understanding architectural heritage in the context of the city through the concept of urban artifacts.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrates that preservation of collective memory can influence people’s attitudes and behaviors as they develop a collective responsibility toward the cultural heritage site.Originality/valueThis is the first focused study to introduce the traditional markets of Downtown Amman within the theoretical framework of collective memory. The study also introduces a new scientific investigation of urban cultural heritage in the context of urban artifacts.

Demystifying the Use of Open-Access Data in Smart Heritage Implementations

Smart Heritage, a concept closely linked to Smart Cities and Smart Tourism, is an emerging field focused on enhancing heritage identity, visitor experience, and cultural sustainability. While initial frameworks have been developed, there is a gap in applying Smart Heritage at the precinct level, especially in large-scale heritage sites. This study addresses this gap by examining how open-access data can be utilised in a real-world case study of Chinatown Melbourne, a key urban heritage precinct. Data sources include archival maps, open-access databases, and 3D models provided by the local city council, covering resources such as on-street parking, pedestrian activity, microclimate, and dwelling functionalities. This study employed a structured methodology that transitions from global best practices to local applications, linking these data resources to Smart Heritage applications and identifying opportunities for improving urban management, heritage curation, and the tourism experience within the case study precinct. The findings offer practical insights for researchers and policymakers, demonstrating how data can support the development of culturally sustainable and technologically integrated heritage precincts. Future research should explore additional data types and case studies to further advance the field of Smart Heritage.

The Formation and Preservation of Urban Heritage Through Urban Landscape Transformation: A Case Study of Pittsburgh

This study examines the potential of urban landscape transformation to generate and develop new heritage and the role of heritage urbanism in an industrial city. It explores whether the changeover of urban heritage districts in Pittsburgh (PA, USA) can give rise to a novel type of urban heritage. Pittsburgh experienced urban development primarily driven by the presence and accessibility of natural resources, rather than favorable geographical conditions: topography characterized by rugged hills, rock formations, rivers, and stream valleys. The integration of the American-style grid within this unique natural environment resulted in intriguing juxtapositions. Consequently, elements such as bridges, viaducts, stairs, tunnels, and historical inclines gained paramount importance in shaping the urban fabric. The city’s remaining preserved or transformed urban heritage is protected through historic districts designated by the Department of City Planning, which enforces specific planning and design guidelines. The study employs a multi-faceted approach combining the concepts of historic stratification (urban palimpsest), integrated urban morphology, space syntax (integration analysis), and heritage urbanism. During the personally conducted long-term fieldwork, the selected case studies described herein (historic districts, university campus, and traditional neighborhood) proved to be the most suitable for demonstrating urban heritage formation through urban landscape transformation.

The significance of public space in assessing architectural heritage

This study examines the relationship between public spaces surrounding heritage buildings in Arequipa, Peru, and social perceptions of these structures. Focusing on buildings recognized as significant architectural landmarks by the magazine “El arquitecto Peruano” founded by Belaunde Terry. The research reveals a weak correlation between the quality of the surrounding public space and the society’s appreciation of the architectural edifice. However, certain buildings stand out in public esteem, notably Plaza de Armas, Convento de Santa Catalina, Iglesia de la Compañía, Templo de Yanahuara, Iglesia de San Agustín, and Iglesia de Cayma, primarily due to their Ba-roque-mestizo architectural style. The text emphasizes the pivotal role of public spaces in the evaluation of architectural heritage. This research sheds light on the complex interplay between architectural heritage, public spaces, and social perception, offering valuable insights for urban planning and heritage preservation initiatives.

Identity of Colonial Architecture Preservation in Thakhek City Center

This paper examines the conservation of colonial architecture in the center of Thakhek, which is a unique and historically significant feature of the city. Researching the historical context, architectural features and cultural values ​​of the buildings in the colonial era in Laos and efforts to conserve and promote them to become urban heritage. The research uses mixed methods, combining documentary research, observation from the field through surveys, measurements and interviews with local stakeholders. The findings reveal the challenges faced in preserving the colonial architecture at Thakhek, including limited resources. This research also highlights the potential benefits of preserving colonial architecture, such as promoting cultural tourism, promoting community pride and contributing to urban regeneration. The study concluded with recommendations to strengthen the preservation of colonial architecture in the center of Thakhek, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive preservation plan, increasing public awareness and cooperation between local stakeholders. This research contributes to the broader discussion on heritage conservation in Southeast Asia, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities of preserving colonial architecture in old urban areas in a context of rapid urban development.

A stakeholder perspective on contested urban heritage and heritage tourism

While there is consensus among researchers that stakeholder participation is critical for heritage development, conflicts between stakeholders can exist and create an arena of contestation. Limited studies have addressed the issue of contested heritage and conflict mitigation in heritage tourism. Examining contested urban heritage in Dalian, China, this study investigates stakeholder conflict using means-end-chain analysis to reveal conflicting perspectives and visions. Furthermore, it uses tourisation theory to assess the tourism potential of each identified development scenario. Findings reveal how a focus on functional adaptation can help to achieve compromise between “dismantler” and “preservationist” polarities to gain agreement between stakeholders. This study enhances the understanding of stakeholder conflict related to contested heritage and contributes to stakeholder theory by addressing conflict mitigation and consensus building. By highlighting the heterogeneity within traditionally defined stakeholder groups, the study suggests using attitudinal groups as a strategy for stakeholder categorization and identification of common ground. It further demonstrates how a value-based approach can help to understand the shaping of stakeholders’ views and foster consensus, laying the foundation for collaborative planning in urban heritage tourism.

Explorando la invisibilidad en el paisaje cultural urbano: intervención didáctica en la formación inicial de maestros

The urban cultural landscape emerges as an element of spatial relevance to address socially relevant problems. It integrates various elements that make visible and commemorate certain historical figures, places or events, to the detriment of other groups or minorities, whose representation in the symbols of the urban landscape is practically non-existent. Based on this approach, this works presents the results of a didactic intervention, aimed at valuing urban heritage and its social implications. The training activity takes place at the Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa (ESELx), involving two groups of students. The main objective was to evaluate whether the toponymy of the street map and the sculptures of certain neighborhoods in Lisbon reflect the diversity that exists in the city in terms of social classes, cultures and genders. Likewise, student perceptions in relation to the analyzed urban heritage were explored. For this purpose, debates were generated, the content of the student productions was evaluated and a questionnaire was implemented. The main results show that the various elements of the urban heritage do not reflect the existing diversity in the city of Lisbon. A scant representation of female figures is evident, as well as elements related to diverse beliefs or cultures and members belonging to disadvantaged social strata. Furthermore, the potential of using urban heritage as a teaching resource to develop the critical thinking of future educators is manifested.

Temporal insights into mega-events and waterfront industrial heritage transformation: a case study of Shanghai’s Huangpu River industrial zone

This research examines the evolution and renewal of Shanghai’s Huangpu River industrial zone after the 2010 Shanghai Expo, with a temporal focus on the profound changes and development philosophies driven by this mega-event. By investigating emblematic case studies along the Huangpu River, such as the transformative 80,000-ton silo, the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Long Museum, this research articulates how mega-events serve as pivotal moments for reimagining and repurposing industrial heritage. In the wake of the 2010 Shanghai Expo, these industrial relics emerged as focal points of urban regeneration, embodying the tensions and synergies between historical preservation and contemporary urban development. This study explores the temporal layers—from the event’s catalytic role to enduring legacies—and reveals how time influences the trajectory of urban spaces and the community’s connection to them. Through this temporal lens, the paper analyses the redevelopment process, assessing how these initiatives have reconfigured the industrial waterfront into a dynamic cultural landscape. The findings offer a dynamic perspective on the temporal dimensions that underpin the redevelopment of industrial heritage sites, providing insights into how such spaces can be continuously activated and symbiotically integrated into the fabric of the city. This paper aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the complexities involved in harnessing industrial heritage for mega-events, with implications for future urban planning and heritage conservation strategies.

MANAGEMENT OF EMERGENCY MEASURES PROJECT OF ALGIERS’S KASBAH

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

Conservation and regeneration of architectural and urban heritage: The case of the Xinmalu historical site, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

The current discourse about contemporary cities emphasizes the notion of heritage conservation and preservation as a catalyst for expressing local identity and accomplishing community development. This article uses the case of Ningbo City (Zhejiang, China) to interrogate different approaches to preserve and rehabilitate architectural and urban heritage. Over the past two decades, the identification, documentation, and preservation of deteriorating dwellings and the urban context of traditional cities have undergone an unprecedented cycle of transformation. The article explores the economic, social, and cultural practices that inform strategies for heritage conservation, with a particular focus on Ningbo’s experiences. The selected projects from the city’s context range from independent house restoration and rehabilitation to traditional markets and the preservation of its urban heritage core. In addition, the article provides insights into the complexities of the ongoing discourse surrounding the interpretation, evaluation, protection, and augmentation of heritage territories. It confronts questions such as how to encourage inclusivity and diversity in cities’ heritage zones and urban spaces, and how specific chapters of the past are chosen and reintroduced for suggested contemporary functions. The article also examines the cooperation between international organizations and local planning entities in shaping a vision for Ningbo’s heritage conservation and rehabilitation. The study concludes by summarizing the successes of projects in the Xinmalu Heritage District in Ningbo, which foster growth and community development without compromising the value of its heritage.

Ruin and Knowledge in Pera: Discovering Istanbul’s Genoese Heritage at the Moment of Its Destruction

Abstract The 1860s and 1870s saw a massive campaign of reordering of Galata and Pera’s urban space, led by the newly founded district municipality of Altıncı Daire-i Belediye (the Sixth District)—the model municipal organization for the rest of the Ottoman Empire. The most striking and widespread part of this campaign was the destruction of the district’s medieval Genoese walls, dating back to the fourteenth century. The walls and the attached moats were replaced by wider streets and modern apartment buildings, owned mostly by the local elites. This episode in the history of Istanbul has conventionally been narrated as a careless – albeit necessary—case of urban modernization, often in relation to the similar and roughly contemporary destruction of city walls in European cities. In this article, I rather argue that the destruction of the city walls was actually framed as a project of heritage and knowledge production from the very start. I trace how the history of the Genoese Pera was produced in the popular and scientific circles amidst the destruction of its most important physical manifestation, by concentrating especially on the central role played by the municipal archivist Victor-Marie de Launay. Launay’s later collaborations with Osman Hamdi Bey are relatively well known, but his contributions to the history of the district and an early discourse on urban heritage and archaeology are underappreciated, and, I argue, critical to understanding how the ruins of the district’s past were instrumentalized in making of a space for historical expertise. Launay was a central figure in the emergent antiquarian and archaeological networks in the Ottoman capital in the second half of the nineteenth century, the scholarly output produced in these circles had a lingering effect on the modern history-writing of Pera that has conventionally underlined its “European” heritage at the expense of its Ottoman past.

The Urban Heritage of the Diósgyőr–Vasgyár Ironworker’s Colony

The following research was conducted mainly with the motive for creating an urban heritage proposal in Hungary, in the city of Miskolc. The area of focus was the former ironworker’s colony of the Diósgyőr-Vasgyár region. The historical urban development of the ironworker’s colony is examined here. Emphasis is given to to the preservation of the unique architectural styles and urban fabric of the colony. Additionally, an assessment is undertaken about the colony's building conditions and a plan was created for strategic preservation. It is to be combined with adaptive interior building modifications for the purpose of improving living standards for occupants. The research also takes into account meeting modern-day living needs in the space of historical urban heritage preservation.The urban heritage legislation of Hungary that is relevant to this research has also been outlined here. The ultimate objective is to simultaneously preserve the colony's historical prestige and satisfy contemporary needs thus making this research a very useful guide for situations involving urban heritage conservation within evolving urban settlements.

Heritage Tourism Development Should Take Care of Industrial Heritage Protection: A Study on the Development Strategy of Industrial Heritage Tourism in Nanjing

The tourism development of industrial heritage is an effective way to activate cultural heritage and can provide new solutions for the renewal and protection of industrial heritage. This study focuses on the industrial heritage in Nanjing, aiming to explore its spatial distribution pattern, tourism development strategy, and sustainable development model. This study adopts a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. First, relevant information on 93 sites of industrial heritage type historic buildings in Nanjing is collected. Secondly, ArcGIS was used to visualize the evolution of industrial buildings and the spatial distribution of industrial heritage type historic buildings. Finally, the spatial analysis tools of ArcGIS and the accessibility analysis method in space syntax theory are superimposed to comprehensively analyze the spatial distribution pattern and traffic accessibility characteristics of Nanjing’s industrial heritage. The research results propose a specific plan to promote the value transformation of industrial heritage through tourism: based on the spatial distribution characteristics of Nanjing’s industrial heritage along the water system and traffic arteries, a tourist route of “multi-point, two-axis, one-center” is planned; the tourism development strategy of “point protrusion, linear links, and surface darning” is implemented; and a sustainable development model under the guidance of low-carbon environmental protection goals is explored. This study provides a reference for the protective development of industrial heritage and the expansion of tourism and opens up a new perspective for the regeneration and planning of other urban heritage.

The Destruction of Architecture

The Allied bombing campaigns over the German cities during World War II produced a vast landscape of destruction, which has been the object of reports, accounts and fictional narratives. Cities and buildings, a fundamental architectural heritage binding individuals and communities to their existential spaces, were annihilated in the most extensive act of deliberate destruction in human history. In this article, I look into the work of three authors – Heinrich Böll, Stig Dagerman and Hans Erich Nossack – to outline the effects of the bombings on the survivors, and on their relationship to both urban space and architectural heritage.

Phantom Writing

In this visual essay I present a body of artistic work done within informal urban and suburban heritage sites in Kyoto. Through the media of text, photography, film and site-specific painting, my works from the cycle Spirit Grounds engage with these sites involving material physical aspects as well as beliefs, fictions, and more-than-human beings. Building upon this, I propose ‘phantom writing’ or ‘phantasmography’ as a situated, multidisciplinary and multisensory approach aimed at understanding and designing contemporary places, landscapes and environments, acknowledging and mediating the agency of diverse phantoms and phantasms.

Revitalization of urban industrial heritage from a perspective of spatial production theory: the case study of “Old market” project

ABSTRACT The renewal of urban industrial heritage brings many benefits, meanwhile facing challenges, and there is a lack of in-depth and specific case study analysis. Based on spatial production theory, this paper takes an iconic project as an example to explore its construction process and reveal the spatial and social changes it triggers. This case study investigates the changes in physical and social spaces resulting from the shift in the subjects of spatial production. By analyzing document data, spatial data, and field data, the following key findings and conclusions are obtained: 1) Capital led the regeneration process, transformed decaying factory buildings into consumer space, and activated the economic vitality of the area. 2) The construction of the physical space changed the spatial layout, structure and function that attracted the creative community and young visitors, changing daily lives of the space users. 3) However, the neglect of industrial culture and participation of nearby residents are obvious challenges. The results indicate that using spatial production as a theoretical analysis framework helps us fully understand the challenges faced in the renewal of urban industrial heritage projects. This study can provide a reference for small-scale urban heritage renewal projects, facilitating accurate decision-making.

THE ROLE OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: CASE STUDY OF TEBESSA, ALGERIA

The research explores the importance of architectural and urban heritage for its positive impacts on cities and societies. It highlights how such heritage embodies cultural identity, connects past and present, and promotes tourism and economic development. Tebessa, in eastern Algeria, serves as a case study due to its rich architectural and urban heritage, influenced by Phoenician, Numidian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic civilizations. Key landmarks in Tebessa include the Temple of Minerve, Caracalla Gate, Byzantine Wall, Roman Theatre, Roman Church, Archaeological Park, and Ancient Mosque. These sites create an open archaeological space within the urban fabric, serving as cultural heritage and vital resources for tourism and economic revitalization. The research initially adopts a theoretical approach to identify and describe various heritage sites. It then employs fieldwork, involving the Directorate of Tourism, the Directorate of Culture, and the Department of Archaeological Sites, to assess the status and significance of these monuments. Findings reveal several issues, such as the lack of strategic and institutional efforts to protect and utilize the heritage for cultural tourism and economic development. There is significant neglect and deterioration due to inadequate restoration programs and weak promotional initiatives. The research recommends adopting a comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy for preserving the heritage of Tebessa, including comprehensive projects, legal frameworks, digital integration, and a participatory management approach. Collaboration with local and international heritage organizations and educational programs to raise awareness are also essential. These measures aim to preserve the architectural heritage and boost tourism in Tebessa.

Global Research Trends and Future Directions in Urban Historical Heritage Area Conservation and Development: A 25-Year Bibliometric Analysis

Global Research Trends and Future Directions in Urban Historical Heritage Area Conservation and Development: A 25-Year Bibliometric Analysis