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Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage

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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 September 2024) | Viewed by 19637

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Bojana Bojanic Obad Scitaroci

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Guest Editor

Department of Urban Planning, Spatial Planning and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, Kačićeva 26, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: protection of cultural heritage; traditional architecture; landscape architecture; tourism; cultural landscape; post-disaster scape; soundscape; walkscape and space syntax

Dr. Nerma Omićević

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Guest Editor

Architecture Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnička Cesta br. 15, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Interests: post-disaster scapes; urbanscapes; urbanscape identity; landscape; architecture; memorialscapes

Dr. Tamara Zaninović

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Guest Editor

Department of Urban Planning, Spatial Planning and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, Kačićeva 26, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: streetscapes; walkability; urban landscapes; public space; memorials; space syntax; urban growth; historical routes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cities are systems composed of urban and natural landscapes with intangible and tangible layers, continuously developing and overlapping. Based on this perspective, the layer of heritage is inherent to urban transformation and is a part of the continuous process of urban change. However, urban transformations can have different, possibly unwanted, outcomes.

As cities today are facing the consequences of rapid population growth and uncontrolled urbanisation, as well as the impact of environmental changes and disaster, there is a growing pressure in terms of land resources and limited usable land available in urban areas. Within this rapidly shifting everchanging and globally evolving urban context, rethinking the role of heritage as an integral part of urban landscapes and land usage requires new attention, definitions and comparisons.

The Special Issue, therefore, employs the term heritage urbanism, an internationally recognised scientific approach to the restoration and revitalisation of cultural natural and mixed heritage.

The goal of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) to address the following questions:

How can urban landscape transformation contribute to the protection and preservation of heritage?
Does urban landscape transformation, in fact, transform heritage?
Can urban landscape transformation generate, create and develop new heritage?

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that address the following themes:

Urban landscape transformation through heritage preservation;
Urban landscape transformation through the active use of cultural and/or natural heritage;
Urban landscape transformation as an opportunity for using heritage to support change towards sustainability and resilience;
Urban landscape transformation as a catalyst for creating new heritage;
Evaluation and prediction of heritage-related issues in urban landscape transformation;
Assessing the impact of environmental factors on cultural and natural heritage sites amid urban landscape transformation;
Cultural and natural heritage between climate change and urban landscape transformation.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Bojana Bojanic Obad Scitaroci
Dr. Nerma Omićević
Dr. Tamara Zaninović
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

urban landscape transformation
heritage preservation
active vs. passive land use
cultural heritage
natural heritage
heritage urbanism
forgotten urban layers
sustainability and resilience

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Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 11578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Éva Lovra and Elif Sarihan

Land 2024, 13(11), 1816; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111816 - 1 Nov 2024

Viewed by 482

Abstract

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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29 pages, 27855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Urban Design Performance on Walkability in Cultural Heritage Sites of Isfahan, Iran

by Hessameddin Maniei, Reza Askarizad, Maryam Pourzakarya and Dietwald Gruehn

Land 2024, 13(9), 1523; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091523 - 19 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1376

Abstract

This research explores the impact of urban design performance qualities on pedestrian behavior in a cultural heritage site designated by UNESCO. The study employs a multi-method approach, including a questionnaire survey, empirical observation of pedestrian activities, and empirical axial line and visibility graph analysis using the space syntax technique. The first part of the study involved a questionnaire formatted as a polling sheet to gather expert assessments of spatial performance measures. The second part used a pilot survey to capture the perspectives of end users regarding the study’s objectives and their perceptions of the site. Pedestrian flow was observed using a technique called “gate counts”, with observations recorded as video clips during specific morning and afternoon periods across three pedestrian zones. The study also examined the behavioral patterns of pedestrians, including their movement patterns. Finally, the ArcGIS 10.3.1 software was employed to evaluate the reliability of the results. The main finding of this research is that pedestrian behavior and walkability in the historical areas are significantly influenced by landmark integration, wayfinding behavior, and the socio-economic functions of heritage sites. This study highlights the importance of using cognitive and syntactic analysis, community engagement, and historical preservation to enhance walkability, accessibility, and social interaction in heritage contexts. In addition, it identifies the need for improvements in urban design to address inconsistencies between syntactic maps and actual pedestrian flow, emphasizing the role of imageability and the impact of environmental and aesthetic factors on pedestrian movement. This research provides valuable insights for urban designers and planners, environmental psychologists, architects, and policymakers by highlighting the key elements that make urban spaces walkable, aiming to enhance the quality of public spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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23 pages, 19594 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Identification of Historic Plant Landscape Characteristics and Conservation Strategies for Longevity Hill Based on the WSL Monoplotting Tool

by Jingyu Wu, Yao Xiao, Linjie Zhu and Sihua Cheng

Land 2024, 13(8), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081255 - 9 Aug 2024

Viewed by 697

Abstract

The surrounding environment of architectural heritage sites is integral to cultural heritage protection; plant landscapes play crucial roles in them. Controlling plant spaces and appearances is essential for preserving plant landscapes. A World Cultural Heritage Site, the Summer Palace has undergone multiple changes since the 1860s; restoring and protecting plant landscapes has been an ongoing research focus. However, data accuracy limitations have hindered analyses of the overall spatial characteristics of historical gardens. Here, the historical dynamics and unique landscape features of plants on the front hill of Longevity Hill (FLH) are explored, and conservation and renewal strategies are proposed. Geographic information system (GIS) and WSL Monoplotting Tool are used to identify historical plant spaces. Plant space types are classified, and their landscape characteristics are analyzed. On the basis of historical events, the historical plant spaces on the FLH can be divided into two major categories and six subcategories. The vegetation retention area (south side) was less affected, and the plant landscape along Kunming Lake was the most well-preserved. However, the vegetation-damaged area (north side) was impacted more in the western part than in the eastern part, with notable changes in spatial landscape characteristics, particularly regarding forest function, morphology, and structure. Strategies are proposed for reducing human intervention and adjusting retention areas; furthermore, historical images and spatial grading in damaged areas can be used to suggest landscape adjustment and restoration strategies. This study introduces a method for analyzing the historical characteristics of plant landscapes over time that can be used to protect cultural heritage sites worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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36 pages, 16964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Localized Canal Development Model Based on Titled Landscapes on the Grand Canal, Hangzhou Section, China

by Wenli Dong, Chenlu Zhang, Wenying Han and Jiwu Wang

Land 2024, 13(8), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081178 - 31 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 884

Abstract

After the decline of water transportation along the Grand Canal, the integration of urban development and the preservation of cultural heritage along the canal has become imperative. This paper takes the titled landscape as its research perspective and investigates the cultural significance of the canal through its historical, spatial, artistic, and spiritual dimensions, identifying the “Ten Canal Scenes” (TCS) that encapsulate both the canal’s heritage and the unique characteristics of Hangzhou, with the aim of establishing notable urban cultural landmarks. Archival analysis, average nearest neighbor (ANN) analysis, nuclear density analysis, and clustering of resource sites are first used to identify cultural landscape features. Evaluation and decision-making techniques are then used to comprehensively assess and categorize the conservation and utilization value for the TCS based on the value evaluation framework. Finally, it proposes strategies for enhancing the comprehensive values of titled landscapes and addressing socio-economic and cultural dimensions. These efforts seek to reconcile the preservation of the canal’s cultural heritage with the ongoing regeneration and development of the city and propose references for a localized canal development model based on titled landscapes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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23 pages, 15916 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Park Heritage of the Island of Krk between Urban Transformations and Climate Change

by Koraljka Vahtar-Jurković, Renata Sokol Jurković and Jadran Jurković

Land 2024, 13(7), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071024 - 8 Jul 2024

Viewed by 884

Abstract

The island of Krk in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, is also called the Golden Island because of its favorable geographical location, the diversity of natural and urban landscapes, the beauty of the coast and the sea, the wealth of tangible and intangible heritage, and especially because of the opportunities for living and working. During the last century and in this century, urban landscapes have been exposed to dramatic changes that transformed old castles or former smaller settlements of the local population into tourist centers and desirable places for permanent or temporary residence. A significant part of their complex structure is the cultural and historical heritage, within which the island’s park heritage has so far been insufficiently recognized and valued. Therefore, this paper examines forty selected public park spaces in the area of all local self-government units of the island of Krk in the context of urban transformations and climate change. It is concluded that the island’s park heritage has often been created as a result of urban transformations in which, despite being exposed to constant changes, it is mostly preserved, but that recently, new elements of this heritage are emerging. A new challenge is the threat of the consequences of climate change—increasingly frequent and long-lasting droughts, extreme precipitation and flash floods, stormy winds, rising sea level and salinization, which further emphasizes the need to preserve the park heritage of the island of Krk in the context of resistance to climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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18 pages, 7022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Transformation in Muslim Neighborhoods: From Shanghai’s Women’s Mosque into a Retirement Home

by Xunqian Liu, Xiaoqing Liu and Yi Yang

Land 2024, 13(7), 983; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070983 - 3 Jul 2024

Viewed by 996

Abstract

Since the mid-19th century, the migration of Hui Muslims to Shanghai has fostered the development of stable residential neighborhoods around the Small Peach Garden Mosque, turning the area into a hub for religious gatherings and a bustling economic center, especially for the beef, mutton, and catering sectors. However, the dawn of the 21st century brought with it swift economic expansion and urban redevelopment, gradually replacing the neighborhoods surrounding the mosque with high-end residential zones. Soaring land prices slashed the profits of Muslim food businesses in the area to the point of unsustainability, disrupting the traditional pattern of life around the mosque. This study offers insights from interviews with older Muslim women who stayed at the Small Peach Garden Women’s Mosque after its demolition, slowly transforming it into a retirement home. Their stories underline that architectural conservation alone is not sufficient to preserve the character of historic and cultural sites. The study calls for a deeper understanding of urban transformations in historic urban landscapes for religious minorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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34 pages, 26827 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Transformation of the Dubrovnik Summer Villa Setting—From an Idyllic Landscape to an Overbuilt City

by Mara Marić and Mladen Obad Šćitaroci

Land 2024, 13(7), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070949 - 28 Jun 2024

Viewed by 613

Abstract

The landscape surrounding a summer villa is, in a morphological and experiential sense, an inseparable part of the villa and its garden. This research examines the level of preservation of the historic landscapes of eight summer villas in Dubrovnik and the level of their integration into the urban fabric of the contemporary city. The research methods used include the analysis of the relevant scientific literature as well as the analysis and interpretation of graphic materials, i.e., cadastral maps from the second half of the 19th century, orthophoto maps, and spatial planning documentation. In this paper, the immediate landscape in close vicinity to the summer villas is defined as the protective zone of a summer villa (PZSV). Although the original use and extent of the summer villa landscapes have rarely been preserved, it is possible to establish PZSVs in order to preserve, i.e., reinterpret, the setting of the summer villas, which is necessary to experience them in their totality. This research establishes the general principles that enable the identification of three general models of transformation of the summer villa landscape. Furthermore, this research develops possible scenarios for the enhancement of the summer villa landscape based on the identified models. These models and scenarios are generally applicable in the context of the protection and enhancement of the summer villa landscapes in of the south of Croatia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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20 pages, 3655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transforming Urban Landscapes: Reuse of Heritage Sites through Multi-Value Interpretations in Xi’an, China

by Yiqing Zhao, Keyu Jin, Dingqing Zhang, Li Wang, Ji Li and Tianchen Dai

Land 2024, 13(7), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070948 - 28 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1367

Abstract

As a catalyst for urban landscape transformation, the reuse of heritage sites plays a pivotal role in shaping contemporary urban spaces and influencing socio-economic development. However, this phenomenon is not without controversy, particularly regarding the quality of preservation and the potential risks associated with over-commodification. Consequently, there has been an increasing research focus on reconciling these conflicting aspects. This study employs a multi-value interpretation framework to delve into the reuse of heritage sites in the urban area of Xi’an within the broader context of China’s urbanization. Utilizing a comparative case study method, this research specifically examines the burgeoning phenomenon of heritage parks. This exploration sheds light on how the reuse of heritage intertwines with urbanization processes, by taking into account environmental, economic, social, and cultural values. The findings suggest that a multi-value interpretation framework is crucial to address the limitations of the current heritagization. Heritage sites in Xi’an have been integrated into the urban transformation process through heritage conservation and the production of new heritage spaces. However, the evolving multi-value evaluation of these heritage sites continues to influence the city’s interpretation of its significant and fading past in planning. This study highlights the dynamic nature of heritage sites in the urban context and underscores the need for nuanced approaches to balance heritage preservation with the evolving demands of contemporary urban development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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30 pages, 9481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating Spatial Criteria for the Urban Landscape Assessment of Mass Housing Heritage: The Case of the Central Zone of New Belgrade

by Dragana Ćorović, Marija Milinković, Nevena Vasiljević, Dezire Tilinger, Sandra Mitrović and Zlata Vuksanović-Macura

Land 2024, 13(7), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070906 - 22 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 832

Abstract

This study addressed problems related to the protection, reconstruction, and revitalisation of modern heritage, particularly the regeneration of mass housing estates built after WWII and facing the contemporary perils of urban decay and deterioration. It presented interdisciplinary research investigating the possibility of extending and complementing the heritage assessment methodology and broadening the scope of the criteria by including mass housing landscape values. Starting with a close reading of the key theoretical positions embedded in the conceptualisation and construction of New Belgrade, we investigated a set of holistic and time-based criteria, followed by contemporary methodologies for landscape quality assessment. The investigation was based on an urban landscape approach to heritage assessment and focuses on the Central Zone of New Belgrade, declared a heritage site in 2021. The interaction of the theoretical underpinnings of modern architecture and urban planning with urban landscape discourse, coupled with historically and theoretically relevant knowledge and data, resulted in an investigation of landscape-based criteria for further mass housing assessment. Finally, we presented the findings of the landscape quality assessment of the transformations of the Central Zone. This perspective could be used to extend the possibilities of this approach in order to (1) tackle the “thickness” of temporality related to (urban) landscapes; (2) rethink and redefine the applied heritage assessment approach; (3) open the assessment procedure to a wider range of stakeholders, particularly nonexperts and the local community; and (4) re-actualise the position and role of experts in the sense of communicating knowledge in a completely new context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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17 pages, 8660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Transformation after a Scandal: Preserving Social Values in Late Medieval Dubrovnik

by Ana Plosnić Škarić and Ana Marinković

Land 2024, 13(3), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030318 - 2 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1354

Abstract

This research reveals the original medieval forms of the Convent of Poor Clares while contextualising the spatial interventions after the scandalous year 1433 that led to the urban transformation of the broader neighbourhood. The research methodology addressed historical visual sources analysed in the context of the information provided by archival documents, starting with the Ordo from 1433 and including all the City Councils’ deliberations until 1450. Linking these two sets of information resulted in the schematic and hypothetical visualisation of the disposition of the convent’s medieval buildings and the identification of all the changes in neighbouring public and private buildings and spaces implemented to achieve the perfect clausura inside the densely built urban fabric. Along with the prison sentence to be served inside this very convent, the nobility of the Republic of Dubrovnik ensured that the social values were preserved for the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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29 pages, 11603 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Principles of Urbanscape Transformation in the Historical Perimeter of Split, Croatia

by Hrvoje Bartulović and Ana Grgić

Land 2024, 13(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010026 - 23 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1675

Abstract

The genesis of the historical core of the city of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rests on the continuity of urban life. The city has been subject to constant change over the course of almost two millennia, transforming from an ancient imperial palace into today’s city. The ever-changing urban landscape implies the need for a continual dialogue between old and new, especially considering the efforts made throughout history to develop a new image of the city. By analysing three examples—Milesi Palace from the Baroque period, Bajamonti Palace from the age of Classicism, and Nakić Palace from the Secession period, all national heritage listed buildings, the significance of the urban logic behind their construction, as well as the impact these buildings had on the image of the city, is established. All three buildings are located on the perimeter of the city’s public zone, and in different periods, they established new sets of urban rules, which they hold to this day. By researching their influence on the formation of Split’s urban tissue on their immediate and wider surroundings, their role in the city-building process is defined, thus revealing their impact on the formation of the urbanscape, as well as the relationships between architectural heritage and the city’s transformation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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21 pages, 7930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contemporary Transformations of the Historic Urban Landscape of Sarajevo and Social Inclusion as a Traditional Value of a Multicultural Society

by Adi Corovic and Ahmed Obralic

Land 2023, 12(11), 2068; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112068 - 16 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1558

Abstract

The main research question of this paper focuses on the impact of contemporary interventions on the protection of architectural heritage and the transformation of the unique historic urban landscape of Sarajevo, which symbolizes social tolerance. This study examines the tendencies that have been destroying the essence of such a landscape since the beginning of the 21st century. This research primarily relies on the method of direct observation to analyze the ongoing transformation of the urban landscape over the past 25 years. Additionally, previous research findings and relevant documentation regarding the ongoing urban metamorphosis were considered. The historical urban landscape of Sarajevo is the result of complex urban development that began in the mid-15th century. This urban form, still partially recognizable today, reflected prevailing social relationships, particularly the inclusion of different groups instead of their exclusion, which demonstrated tolerance. However, this research shows the incompatibility of today’s neoliberal concept with the preservation of an urban landscape that embodies tolerance and excludes social marginalization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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22 pages, 9028 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Unpacking the Dynamics of Urban Transformation in Heritage Places through ‘Critical System Dynamics’: The Case of Beresford Square, Woolwich

by Kalliopi Fouseki, Lorika Hisari, Xinqiao Dong, Chiara Bonacchi, Elizabeth Robson, Elisa Broccoli, Torgrim Sneve Guttormsen, Michele Nucciotti and Sharon Shieh

Land 2023, 12(11), 2040; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112040 - 9 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1898

Abstract

Rapidly growing research in urban heritage studies highlights the significance of incorporating participatory approaches in urban transformation projects. And yet, participation tends to be limited, including only certain segments of the population. It is also acknowledged that cities are ‘dynamic’ and ‘complex’ systems. However, there is extremely limited research that captures the dynamic transformation mechanisms in historic urban environments. This paper aims to illustrate a novel, mixed-method and dynamic approach to unfold the dynamics of urban heritage areas. We do so by focusing on the historic area of Woolwich, a South-East suburb in London, UK. To do so, we apply ‘critical system dynamics’ for the analysis of a mixed dataset which incorporates architectural surveys, interviews, online surveys, social media data and visual observations of material change through light archaeology. Within the framework of ‘deep cities’, the article argues that the transformation of a place is a complex process that can be captured not only based on ‘what we see’ but also on ‘what we cannot see’. In other words, the invisible (values, emotions, and senses) is as significant as the visible. This is of paramount importance as most urban planning policies tend to be based on material, visible remains and less on the spirit or soul of a place. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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17 pages, 2639 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Welfare Landscape and Densification—Residents’ Relations to Local Outdoor Environments Affected by Infill Development

by Märit Jansson and Julia Schneider

Land 2023, 12(11), 2021; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112021 - 6 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2168

Abstract

Densification through infill developments is a common planning strategy where both advantages and problems have been brought forward. However, the knowledge on how such developments affect residents and their relations to local outdoor environments is limited. Also, modernist areas have been highlighted as planning heritage with specific values. We studied the case of a multi-family housing area in Uppsala, Sweden, originally planned in the 1960s as part of the Swedish modernist welfare era and later affected by densification through infill development. The mixed-methods approach included document analysis and observations followed by an online survey focused on the use of, perceived qualities of and satisfaction with outdoor environments among residents. The results revealed the heritage of careful planning during the 1960s concerning green space availability and solutions limiting car traffic, with recent densification affecting different sub-areas to various degrees. Respondents living in non-densified sub-areas reported higher levels of satisfaction, more qualities and a more varied use of the outdoor environment compared to in densified sub-areas. However, the management level was considered too low in mainly one of the non-densified sub-areas. Many respondents brought up the loss of qualities in their local outdoor environment through the infill development, both during the construction work and in the result, with less green spaces and increased car traffic. This study revealed large negative effects for residents of densification that focuses on density without securing sufficient qualities in the outdoor environment but also of neglected open space management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

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