Cities, Heritage and Transformation – serie

This book analyzes the role of integrated spatial planning in constructing eco-sustainable urban housing in post-conflict scenarios and investigates two different spaces in an emergency: Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan and Damascus city in Syria.

This book analyzes the role of integrated spatial planning in constructing eco-sustainable urban housing in post-conflict scenarios and investigates two different spaces in an emergency: Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan and Damascus city in Syria. The book presents a new innovative tool that assists in building a successful and sustainable reconstruction after emergencies which corresponds to the planning approach's heterogeneous nature within emergency situations. The same innovative theoretical framework also covers the ramifications of climate change on the urban built environment and reduces its sociological impact on the stricken communities.This book is intended for researchers, academics, students, spatial planners, policy makers, think tank groups, and public entities who are interested in post-disaster reconstruction and the issues of refugee camps.

This book discusses the importance of socio-spatial patterns in cities that are embedded in the cultural heritage and self-understanding of a society, showing that Indian cities follow different urban concepts.

This book discusses the importance of socio-spatial patterns in cities that are embedded in the cultural heritage and self-understanding of a society, showing that Indian cities follow different urban concepts.

This book studies the change in Mediterranean port cities, from the nineteenth century when they flourished as a result of international economic relations and advances in transportation technology, through the twentieth century when the nation-states were at their prime time.  This trajectory with two distinct parts belongs as a whole to what we call the modern times. Whereas in the first phase, Mediterranean port cities became hubs of spontaneous urban complexity and social diversity thanks to reciprocal relations that made them the places of cultural exchange, where people from different parts of the Mediterranean met one another, during the second, because of the interruption of such connectivities and major demographic changes the same cities experienced by way of massive migration, they became less and less unlike other cities with which they shared the same geography in general and the nation-state territory, in particular.  Over the last few decades, with a new roundof globalization, port cities increasingly find themselves facing new opportunities and connectivities, the realization of which would make them once again different, albeit in variegated ways and to degrees. Our narrative foregrounds contexts and connectivities with specific attention paid to mobility, fragility, and precarity. The purpose of this book is to highlight commonalities of and differences among the select Mediterranean port cities, with a focus on the role of social actors, changing economic relations and spatial characteristics and practices.

This book studies the change in Mediterranean port cities, from the nineteenth century when they flourished as a result of international economic relations and advances in transportation technology, through the twentieth century when the nation-states were at their prime time.  This trajectory with two distinct parts belongs as a whole to what we call the modern times. Whereas in the first phase, Mediterranean port cities became hubs of spontaneous urban complexity and social diversity thanks to reciprocal relations that made them the places of cultural exchange, where people from different parts of the Mediterranean met one another, during the second, because of the interruption of such connectivities and major demographic changes the same cities experienced by way of massive migration, they became less and less unlike other cities with which they shared the same geography in general and the nation-state territory, in particular.  Over the last few decades, with a new roundof globalization, port cities increasingly find themselves facing new opportunities and connectivities, the realization of which would make them once again different, albeit in variegated ways and to degrees. Our narrative foregrounds contexts and connectivities with specific attention paid to mobility, fragility, and precarity. The purpose of this book is to highlight commonalities of and differences among the select Mediterranean port cities, with a focus on the role of social actors, changing economic relations and spatial characteristics and practices.

This book shows through historical data, diagrams and drawings, the design system of an Italian historic center, that of Vicenza, Italy. Vicenza is an example of a collective dream, an expression of the best Renaissance artistic culture, a classic example that a city can reform itself through intellectual activity.

This book shows through historical data, diagrams and drawings, the design system of an Italian historic center, that of Vicenza, Italy. Vicenza is an example of a collective dream, an expression of the best Renaissance artistic culture, a classic example that a city can reform itself through intellectual activity.

Using the "shoe" as a symbol of various social fabrics of Yazd, the book reveals unseen important matters affecting city life from the moment residents put on their shoes to engage within the city and their public lives to the time they remove their shoes on entering their households to share in their private lives.

This book is the voice of everyday people talking about their city’s poetry–prose transformation. Through the narrative-imagination of the local lives, the book takes the reader on a journey of the past–present–future of Yazd: how the city was formed and transferred from the historic core to the newer parts over time; how people daily engage with the city; why some people enjoy living in the Historic Yazd while others prefer dwelling in the Old and New cities; why these areas are still occupied with the locals keeping the whole city alive and dynamic; if there is a socio-cultural interrelationship between these areas; and hearing the locals’ wishes about the future of their city.  Using the "shoe" as a symbol of various social fabrics of Yazd, the book reveals unseen important matters affecting city life from the moment residents put on their shoes to engage within the city and their public lives to the time they remove their shoes on entering their households to share in their private lives. Beyond hearing the locals' voices, the book also examines to what extent scholars’ definitions of place are in parallel or in contrast with the ordinary people’s definitions of their living places.  The book aims to introduce a new urban methodology to urban studies so that local voices can truly be considered in urban planning and design projects. This approach is particularly absent in Iranian urban studies on which this book attempts to investigate, which was examined in Yazd.

Informed by urban political economy and critical social analysis, this book provides a critical comparative analysis of macro- and micro-level spatial design processes in architecture and urban planning.

Informed by urban political economy and critical social analysis, this book provides a critical comparative analysis of macro- and micro-level spatial design processes in architecture and urban planning. It interrogates the extent to which past and existing approaches to design have catered to social justice issues. With a special focus on the Right to the City approach and recent efforts to democratize urban spaces in the post-COVID 19 pandemic era, the book draws on examples of spatial design from the USA, Northern European countries and elsewhere to shed light on the presence (or lack) of social justice concerns in liberal capitalist and social democratic societies. This book is an important academic addition and resource for undergraduate and graduate curricula in architecture and urban planning/design programs, as well as a complementary resource for practitioners and policy planners who engage in urban development and transformation.

This book provides indispensable and interdisciplinary insights into the revitalization and redevelopment of urban centers in war-stricken conflict regions, such as Aleppo in northern Syria.

This book is an in-depth and insightful exploration of the pivotal role Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play in understanding heritage changes and revitalizing urban identities amidst rapid urbanization and transformation. Geographic Information Systems for Urban Identity, Urban Morphology and Urban Transformation: Bridging the Gap between Urban Space and Heritage Transformation presents a comprehensive guide to how GIS technology can bridge the gap between urban development and heritage changes by preserving the unique values of the historic cities. Through meticulous research and best practices, the authors delve into the intricate ways in which GIS tools and techniques are used to map, analyze, and visualize urban spaces, cultural heritage (tangible and intangible), and other layers of the cities such as natural resources, or infrastructure network. The book highlights how GIS empowers a wide range of stakeholders, i.e. urban planners, architects, preservationists, and policymakers, to make informed decisions that balance the need for a sustainable development with the imperative to manage change of historic cities.The chapters are enriched with detailed explorations of urban transformation projects where GIS has been instrumental in ensuring that progress does not come at the cost of heritage. From mapping historical districts and assessing the historic urban fabric and the attributes that convey the heritage values and their condition to identifying areas for adaptive reuse, readers gain a profound understanding of how GIS acts as a guiding compass in urban development that respects the past while embracing the future. The relevance of "GIS for Urban Identity" is its interdisciplinary approach that brings together insights from geography, urban planning, architecture, cultural studies, and technology. The book is not just a technical manual, but a thoughtful discourse on how GIS fosters collaboration between stakeholders with diverse interests, such as community members, heritage organizations, and city officials. By showcasing successful examples of urban identity preservation from around the world, the authors inspire readers to adopt innovative approaches in their own endeavors. Furthermore, the book engages in critical discussions about the challenges, ethical considerations, and potential limitations of using GIS in urban identity continuity. It prompts readers to reflect on the socio-cultural implications of urban transformation and how technology can serve as both a tool and a catalyst to manage change. "Geographic Information Systems for Urban Identity, Urban Morphology and Urban Transformation: Bridging the Gap between Urban Space and Heritage Transformation" is a must-read for urban planners, heritage advocates, GIS professionals, researchers, policy makers and practitioners who seek to navigate between development and heritage conservation. With its comprehensive insights, case studies, and thought-provoking analysis, this book serves as an invaluable resource for understanding how GIS technology can pave the way for sustainable, culturally enriched urban futures.

The notion of intangible heritage as a key urban element is underexplored, yet inherently intertwined with urban life that can influence and be influenced by urban policies and practices. This book undertakes the fundamentally interdisciplinary tasks of conceptualizing intangible heritage and recognizing communities' roles as its stewards.From celebration of new years to cultural expressions in daily life, such as religious practices, music and food, intangible heritage is an integral part of communities and individual lives, often considered a natural extension of their ‘being’. Cultural practices are intertwined with human existence. Traditions and cultural expressions do not happen in isolation; they are conditioned by socio-cultural and urban spatiality.The book offers compelling narratives, explorations, and testimonies on the intangible nature of heritage, and it highlights the challenge of the invisibility of heritage in urban discussions. This volume unpacks links between space, community, and heritage and interconnections between cities, urban characteristics, and the intangible heritage of communities in both normal and disastrous contexts. Contributions offer innovative and exploratory methods and representations of under-explored cases, balancing practical strategies and policy-oriented approaches with storytelling and experiential components.