Towards operationalizing UNESCO Recommendations on “Historic Urban Landscape”: a position paper (original) (raw)
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Towards operationalizing UNESCO Recommendations on " Historic Urban Landscape " : a position paper 1
This position paper critically analyses the process to implement the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (2011), exploring evaluation tools, innovative business / management models and financing tools for the conservation and regeneration of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL), to make it operational in the perspective of a circular economy model of sustainable development for city / territory system regeneration. Through evaluation tools, it is possible to pass from general principles to operational practices; to produce empirical evidence of the economic, social and environmental benefits of HUL integrated conservation and regeneration. The challenge of generating a symbiosis between conservation and transformation issues requires adequate evaluation methods, business, management and financing tools, engaging civil society and local stakeholders, capturing both HUL tangible and intangible values to turn the historic urban landscape into a driver of sustainable growth. The analysis carried out in this paper shows that through the suggested tools it is possible to make operational the UNESCO Recommendations, transforming conflicts into opportunities, producing economic attractiveness and strengthen social awareness and cohesion.
BDC. Bollettino del Centro Calza Bini, 2015
The Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach recognizes the landscape as a “living heritage” that reflects changes in society and contributes to local well-being. Investments in HUL conservation can improve overall urban productivity, generating multidimensional benefits and contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how investments in HUL conservation/regeneration can enhance the economic performance of cities and regions. A set of 17 case studies of HUL regeneration has been analysed to select relevant indicators for the assessment of the multidimensional impacts of culture-led regeneration projects. Indicators have been grouped into six categories of impacts that could be used in a multicriteria assessment framework for the impact assessment of HUL conservation/regeneration projects.
The Way Forward with Historic Urban Landscape Approach Towards Sustainable Urban Development
Built Heritage, 2018
The pace of urbanisation, with the increase in the number of metropolitan areas, has been paralleled with the heritage discourse of past generations that valorises monuments in isolation, and has pushed the appreciation of urban heritage to a grim corner in the face of development. Since the turn of the millennium there are international efforts to reverse this trend by placing culture and people-centred approaches into the heritage discourse in order to allow inclusive policies that see culture and cultural heritage as an asset and driving force for sustainable urban development. As one of such instruments, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, as an integrated management model, is considered in this article to have potentials to bridge existing divides to achieve sustainable urban development. With this belief, the paper looks into the future, with supporting arguments that come from discussions as a result of the WHITRAP International Expert Meeting on the Im...
2013
Developing an integrated model, establishing a balance between conservation and revitalization objectives in the historic environment, has always been a controversial issue in many countries; however, they sometimes have a type of symbiotic relationship with each other. In this regard, the main aim of this paper is to answer this question: Is it possible to provide an appropriate model for "integrated conservation and revitalization initiatives" in historic urban areas which contains criteria for integrated conservation and revitalization in historic context? To answer the main question, the paper in the first step examines the "integrated conservation model" and "integrated revitalization model". The concepts of "significance" and "economic vitality" are as the fundamental criteria in these models. In the second step, the concept of "integrated conservation and revitalization" combines "significant" and "eco...
BUILDING THE COMMONS? Feasibility and effectiveness in the shared management of the built heritage, 2021
Chapter 2 The international debate on cultural heritage, built environment, and the Commons 2.1 Cultural heritage and sustainable development Stefania De Medici 2.2 Cultural heritage, civic engagement, and social innovation Stefania De Medici 2.3 Regeneration, rehabilitation, reuse, and maintenance of the architectural heritage as enhancement strategies Stefania De Medici 2.4 The Historic Urban Landscape approach for sustainable conservation, valorisation and management of cultural heritage
Sustainable Regeneration Principles in Historic Cities Exploring Landscape Approach
Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies, 2024
In studies of revitalizing historical cities, various factors and indicators have received significant attention. There are different theories and perspectives, each addressing specific aspects of the subject. Among these, there exists a holistic perspective. A holistic approach can have an influential impact on sustainable solutions in the revitalization of historic cities. Urban planning, with its tools, can contribute to providing a roadmap in this regard. Theoretical resources and research conducted in this regard have focused on identifying criteria and practical indicators for revitalizing historical areas. An urban planning approach with features such as storytelling and mediation can enhance the sense of place, belonging, and social participation. In urban planning, objective and subjective perspectives can comprehensively examine all factors influencing the rejuvenation of areas, which is effective in planning and managing revitalization projects. On the other hand, examining guidelines and recommendations provided by organizations and authorities such as UNESCO reflects the results and experiences of various global researches. These recommendations are based on principles instrumental in developing a comprehensive understanding of the sustainable revitalization of historic cities. Therefore, this research aims to provide a general and comprehensive overview of historic areas and their sustainable management principles. When dealing with historical cities, the following question arises: What are the general principles of revitalizing them, and what subcategories do they encompass? Studies on this topic show that the general classification of factors and principles of sustainable revitalization in historical cities can be summarized into five categories: history and heritage, economy and society, innovation and creativity, ecosystem and environment, and governance and governments. These principles and their subcategories should be examined and given attention from a functional perspective in four main formats. Some focus on why attention should be given to historical areas (Why?) and how to deal with them (How?). In contrast, others concentrate on the practical operational factors in cities (Who?) and their elements (What?). A descriptive-analytical research method was employed. Data collection was conducted through library research based on a review of relevant literature, documents, and extensive studies related to prominent research in the landscape, landscape perspectives, place identity, sense of place, and their various dimensions.
Urban conservation has been a subject of academic and professional discourse for over three decades. Conservation in this paper is seen as an umbrella term that covers a wide spectrum of issues that can be classified under three categories: socio-physical, socio-cultural, and environmental concerns. It is also manifested as a process of evolutionary development which involves preserving, restoring, and adapting old structures, while introducing new ones; a process that respects the continuity of history and tradition, the needs of inhabitants and their cultural aspirations. This understanding indicates that urban conservation is a process of continuous yet controlled interventions in the environment. The extent and the degree of such an intervention is dependent upon crucial factors that include the value system adopted by the society, the resources available, and the cultural and environmental context within which such an intervention takes place. With an ultimate goal to discern lessons from urban conservation practices, urban rehabilitation and adaptive re-use is discussed with reference to a number of non-western case studies. The paper aims at exploring the merits of six conservation and rehabilitation projects which have received considerable coverage and recognition on a national and international level while they have not been put into contextual comparison with others. Merits of these projects are analyzed and highlighted in this article to work as an archetype for similar projects around the world. The paper concludes that to maintain sustainability of the revitalisation and urban conservation approaches, the typical urban tissue and essential qualities of the historic areas and of the life of the communities residing there should be maintained, while adapting the physical structures and activities to some of today's requirements.
Historic cities as model of sustainability
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 2012
Purpose -This paper is an editorial to JCHMSD's Volume 2 Issue 1. Its purpose is to introduce the selection of papers in the issue. Design/methodology/approach -The paper discusses the increased focus of national and local authorities, as well as multilateral agencies, on historic cities in a search for a more sustainable process of urban development that integrates environmental, social and cultural concerns into the planning, design and implementation of urban management programmes and projects. The recent adoption of a new policy instrument by UNESCO, the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, is providing a set of general principles in support of sustainable urban heritage management and the paper further explains the first results of a field testing of the embedded Historic Urban Landscape approach in two different geo-cultural regions of the world (i.e. Central Asia and East Africa). It points to fields of further research, which are linked to the papers selected for this issue. Findings -The Historic Urban Landscape approach, as promoted in the new UNESCO Recommendation on the subject, facilitates a structuring and priority setting of the manifold needs and wishes in the broader urban development and heritage management process, thereby creating clarity and understanding in an often very complex process with competing demands. Originality/value -The new UNESCO Recommendation was adopted on 10 November 2011 and this research paper is the first to expound on an implementation of the approach embedded therein, explaining its merits and potential.