REVIEW
Urban Revitalization: The Challenge of Integrating Cultural Heritage into the Growth of Cities
Revitalización Urbana: El Desafío de Integrar el Patrimonio Cultural en el Crecimiento de las Ciudades
David Hugo Bernedo-Moreira1 
*, Jaime Natanael
Gonzales-Lopez1 *, Rafael
Romero-Carazas2 *
1Universidad Peruana Unión. Lima, Perú.
2Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Arequipa, Perú
Cite as: Bernedo-Moreira DH, Gonzales-Lopez JN, Romero-Carazas R. Urban Revitalization: The Challenge of Integrating Cultural Heritage into the Growth of Cities. Land and Architecture. 2023; 2:52. https://doi.org/10.56294/la202352
Submitted: 07-09-2022 Revised: 26-01-2023 Accepted: 11-05-2023 Published: 12-05-2023
Editor: Emmanuel Maldonado
Corresponding author: David Hugo Bernedo-Moreira *
ABSTRACT
Objective: to describe the methods of conservation and transformation of cultural heritage through a review of academic papers, focusing on how these are integrated into sustainable urban development.
Method: a comprehensive narrative review of the scientific literature was carried out, using databases such as Scopus, Science Direct and SciELO. Specific terms related to “heritage”, ‘culture’ and “development” were used, and Boolean operators were applied to refine the search. The review covered a period from March to April 2023, considering articles published between 2021 and 2023, and resulted in a corpus of 10 relevant articles after a filtering process.
Results: the results presented include an analysis of the strategies and approaches that different studies have used to address cultural heritage conservation. Several articles were identified that discuss both tangible and intangible heritage, highlighting the importance of social participation and the multidisciplinary approach.
Conclusions: the main conclusions of the article indicate that: Heritage conservation and urban development are not opposites; they can complement each other if integrated into urban planning. The need for an integrated approach that balances heritage conservation with the demands of economic growth and tourism is emphasized. The article stresses the importance of conducting impact assessments before initiating development projects that may affect cultural heritage, which helps to minimize or avoid damage. The most important lesson is that it is essential to adopt sustainable approaches to urban development in order to protect the cultural and heritage identities of cities.
Keywords: Urban Revitalization; Cultural Heritage; City Growth; Urban Integration.
RESUMEN
Objetivo: describir los métodos de conservación y transformación del patrimonio cultural a través de una revisión de documentos académicos, enfocándose en cómo estos se integran en el desarrollo urbano sostenible.
Método: le llevó a cabo una revisión narrativa exhaustiva de la literatura científica, utilizando bases de datos como Scopus, Science Direct y SciELO. Se emplearon términos específicos relacionados con “patrimonio”, “cultura” y “desarrollo”, y se aplicaron operadores booleanos para refinar la búsqueda. La revisión abarcó un período desde marzo hasta abril de 2023, considerando artículos publicados entre 2021 y 2023, y resultó en un corpus de 10 artículos relevantes tras un proceso de filtrado.
Resultados: los resultados presentados incluyen un análisis de las estrategias y enfoques que diferentes estudios han utilizado para abordar la conservación del patrimonio cultural. Se identificaron varios artículos que discuten tanto el patrimonio tangible como el intangible, destacando la importancia de la participación social y el enfoque multidisciplinario.
Conclusiones: las principales conclusiones del artículo indican que: La conservación del patrimonio y el desarrollo urbano no son opuestos; pueden complementarse mutuamente si se integran en la planificación urbana. Se enfatiza la necesidad de un enfoque integral que equilibre la conservación del patrimonio con las demandas del crecimiento económico y el turismo. El artículo subraya la importancia de realizar evaluaciones de impacto antes de iniciar proyectos de desarrollo que pueden afectar el patrimonio cultural, lo que ayuda a minimizar o evitar daños. La lección más importante es que es esencial adoptar enfoques sostenibles en el desarrollo urbano para proteger las identidades culturales y patrimoniales de las ciudades.
Palabras clave: Revitalización Urbana; Patrimonio Cultural; Crecimiento de las Ciudades; Integración Urbana.
INTRODUCTION
Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in urban development by providing a tangible connection to a community’s history, identity, and collective memory. However, urban development often presents challenges for properly preserving and promoting cultural heritage. It is essential to balance economic growth and heritage conservation by adopting urban planning strategies that integrate the protection and revitalization of historic sites into city development. Urban regeneration can catalyze the revitalization of degraded areas and generate economic opportunities for residents through cultural tourism and the creative industry.(1)
Furthermore, it can be a key driver for sustainable urban development, providing strategies for heritage conservation and promotion in the context of urban growth. It offers detailed case study analyses and proposes practical approaches for effectively integrating cultural heritage into urban planning and development processes.
In this context, cities such as Rome, Venice, and Kyoto are known for their narrow streets, historic squares, and ancient architecture, which reflect centuries of history and culture. In these cases, urban design has developed organically over time, incorporating and adapting cultural elements as the city grows and evolves.(2) Spain has had to tackle protecting more than 15 000 historic structures of different sizes and artistic and cultural significance.(3)
The Po River District Authority, the largest in Italy, is conducting a project to assess the damage caused by flooding to all exposed assets. Within the district area, a new spatial database of cultural heritage is being established, which includes around 125 000 elements and is complemented by information on their exposure and vulnerability.(4)
Therefore, this review aims to describe and analyze research studies on methods for the conservation and transformation of cultural heritage through academic documents to provide an overview of the topic.
METHOD
A comprehensive narrative review was conducted to explore the existing scientific literature, consulting the following databases: Scopus, Science Direct, and SciELO. To refine the search, the following terms were used: “heritage,” “culture,” and “development.” In addition, the Boolean operators AND and OR were used to refine and broaden the search scope, and the search period was extended from March to April 2023, considering articles published between 2021 and 2023 for review. This search covered texts written in any language, specifically excluding manuscripts that were case reports, interviews, letters to the editor, theses, and books due to their less empirical nature or specific focus. Within the aforementioned databases, 20 articles were initially identified using the search thread designed. Next, duplicate articles were removed. Subsequently, articles that did not align with the study objective and others that did not meet the established inclusion criteria were excluded. As a result of this filtering and selection process, a final corpus of 10 articles relevant to the review was obtained.
RESULTS
Figure 1. Keywords used in the literature search
The study paid attention to the source of demographic data and data relating to the impact of cultural heritage and urban development, as well as the characteristics of the areas where the study was carried out. Several countries were taken as examples: neighborhoods or sectors of cities such as Venice and Italy, which use socioeconomic variables obtained independently thanks to their cultural heritage. Most publications study cultural heritage and urban development.
The results of the 10 studies detailed in figure 2 were analyzed.
Figure 2. Articles consulted
One of the research’s main strengths is the selection of studies from different countries. This provides a global perspective and enriches the analysis, increasing the relevance and usefulness of the work in the current context.
Cultural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List play an important role in the economic strength of regions. However, the effects of tourism in these areas are mixed. While domestic tourism has a considerable positive impact, the arrival of international tourists can negatively affect the economic resilience of regions.(5)
A notable case is Venice, Italy, where urban development pressure has led to cultural heritage degradation. The construction of tourist infrastructure, the increase in mass tourism, and the extraction of groundwater have affected the physical and social structure of the city. This has resulted in the loss of historic buildings and cultural authenticity due to gentrification. The case demonstrates the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach that balances heritage conservation with economic and tourism demands through policies that protect historic sites and promote responsible cultural tourism.(2)
Recognizing cultural heritage in urban development processes is a complex task, as suggested by Martin Juez. The proposal for a transdisciplinary and complex thinking approach invites inclusion and tolerance, allowing the professionals involved to develop sustainable projects that are respectful of heritage.(6)
Conflicts exist between cultural heritage conservation and urban development projects. Examples such as the construction of structures that affect the historic urban landscape, such as the Guadalajara Light Rail or the proposed cable car in Puebla, illustrate this dilemma. These cases question achieving sustainable urban development that respects historical elements.(7)
Integrating historical and cultural sites into the design of new spaces is crucial to achieving a balance between urban development and heritage conservation. Sustainable urban development must consider heritage preservation an essential component, using construction methods that minimize environmental impact.
Cultural impact assessments are essential before initiating resource extraction projects. These assessments should identify the potential effects of projects on cultural sites, artifacts, and practices, especially in Indigenous communities. By understanding the importance of these elements, companies can implement mitigation measures to prevent damage to sacred or culturally significant sites.
CONCLUSIONS
Heritage conservation and urban development, although often seen as conflicting, are not necessarily opposites. They can effectively complement each other when properly integrated into urban planning. The key to achieving this is to adopt a comprehensive approach that recognizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage while allowing for economic growth and promoting tourism. This balance allows cities to evolve while respecting and protecting their traditions and identities, which enriches their development and promotes their long-term sustainability.
In this context, the article highlights the need to conduct impact assessments before initiating urban development projects. These assessments allow for identifying and evaluating potential adverse effects on cultural heritage and historic sites. By conducting these assessments proactively, projects can be adapted to minimize or even avoid damage to significant heritage elements, ensuring that development does not compromise cities’ cultural richness.
The most important lesson from this analysis is the need to adopt sustainable approaches to urban development. Sustainability refers not only to protecting the environment but also to preserving the cultural and heritage identities that make each city unique. Urban development must consider the need to maintain and promote local history and culture, integrating conservation strategies that strengthen the city’s identity and, in turn, foster its economic and social growth. This approach protects the heritage and can drive innovation and development, creating an urban environment that respects and celebrates its past while moving forward into the future.
REFERENCES
1. Schejtman, A. (2008). El valor del patrimonio cultural: territorios rurales, experiencias y proyecciones latinoamericanas. Perú: IEP, Instituto de Estudios Peruanos.
2. Ianniello, G., & Cánoves, G. (2022). Turismificación en venecia (italia): estudio sobre los efectos del turismo masivo en una ciudad histórica construida en una isla-laguna. Cuadernos de Turismo, 49, 411–414. https://doi.org/10.6018/TURISMO.521861
3. Bailliet, E. (2023). Dignifying Building Heritage: Essential Interventions in the Wall of Lugo. VLC Arquitectura, 10(1), 181–205. https://doi.org/10.4995/vlc.2023.17627
4. Arrighi, C., Ballio, F., & Simonelli, T. (2023). A GIS-based flood damage index for cultural heritage. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103654
5. Muštra, V., Perić, B. Š., & Pivčević, S. (2023). Cultural heritage sites, tourism and regional economic resilience. Papers in Regional Science, 102(3), 465–482. https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12731
6. Castillo-Fernández, S., Valencia-Palacio, M., & Alegría-Licuime, L. (2023). Diagnóstico histórico de un patrimonio arquitectónico en riesgo: la Basílica de los Sacramentinos en Santiago de Chile. Sophia Austral. https://doi.org/10.22352/SAUSTRAL20232902
7. Menchero, M. (2023). Financiación y cooperación internacional en el patrimonio cultural inmueble de los centros históricos coloniales latinoamericanas. Eure, 49(146), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.7764/eure.49.146.09
FINANCING
None.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
AUTHORSHIP CONTRIBUTION
Conceptualization: David Hugo Bernedo-Moreira.
Data curation: Jaime Natanael Gonzales-Lopez.
Formal analysis: David Hugo Bernedo-Moreira.
Research: Jaime Natanael Gonzales-Lopez.
Methodology: David Hugo Bernedo-Moreira.
Project management: Jaime Natanael Gonzales-Lopez.
Resources: Rafael Romero-Carazas.
Software: Rafael Romero-Carazas.
Supervision: Rafael Romero-Carazas.
Validation: Rafael Romero-Carazas.
Visualization: Jaime Natanael Gonzales-Lopez.
Writing – original draft: Jaime Natanael Gonzales-Lopez.
Writing – review and editing: David Hugo Bernedo-Moreira.