Heritage-led Urban Regeneration as a catalyst for SustainableUrban Development

Abstract

It is without doubt, the conservation of a nation’s cultural heritage is of crucialprominence, as it embraces the sense of belonging and is a major component of quality of life. Italso plays a substantial role towards the foundation of the future. In the context of developingcountries, large number of cities are enjoying significant cultural heritage embodied in theirbuilt environment, specifically within their urban heritage centers. However, such cities face therisk of losing their distinctive character while they strive to modernize, in order to overcome themultiplicity of pressures accompanied with different effects, notably as globalization on onehand and urbanization on the other. Whereas the conservation is an effort of utilizing the pastfor useful modern functions, different approaches are aiming to draw a balance between conservationand development through acceptable degrees of change, where heritage-led urban regenerationprojects are considered as a category. In essence, interventions to conserve architecturallandmarks and upgrade infrastructures in heritage cities facing urbanization challenges are ofsound significance. Special attention is needed to conserve the urban tissues shaping uniquesense of place and character. This research investigates the economic strategies for urban regenerationprojects utilizing urban heritage centers to provide sustainable urbanization and inclusivegrowth. It highlights the role of urban heritage assets in differentiating cities along withtheir competition to mobilize investments and promote local economic growth. The paper investigatesa framework of heritage economics that requires a holistic approach interpreting heritageas an asset, with the central question being about identifying the different values of suchassets. Different valuation methods are introduced within the notion of total economic value, toassess the contribution of a heritage asset in investments regenerating the economic basis of oldcities. A struggle between symbolic significance of heritage cities/towns, their urban form, andthe distinctive spirit of place and the many economic and political agendas that are diminishingthe heritage sites and sense of place is identified. The paper revitalizes the lost standing identityof old heritage cities, which would aid developers and stakeholders towards a more socioeconomicsustainable development strategy. In addition, supports sustaining, preserving andconserving the city’s symbolic significance of heritage buildings and distinctive sense of place

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