The Public Urban Spaces Renewal and Architectural Heritage Revitalization: A Lasting Interconnection

Abstract

In the twenty-first century, many cities are undergoing radical urban transformations. This transformation includes the continued development of existing public spaces, but also the architectural heritage revitalization. To preserve and improve the architectural heritage, it is not enough to think only about the structure of the building, but also about the surrounding. Otherwise, the future of urban renewal involves understanding both of urban spaces and architectural context. Reframing the importance of interconnection between historical buildings and urban area improves economical, energy, and social sustainability. This chapter will consider innovative ways of understanding the connection between public spaces renewal and architectural heritage revitalization, in order to represent the creation of modern urban centers and community meeting places. Some of the successful examples that have contributed to the process of urban regeneration will be presented.

1. Introduction

Along with modernization and globalization, new challenges are facing the preservation of architectural heritage. The arrival of new technologies has expanded and increased the speed of distribution cultural elements. Schaefer (2002) sees culture as the “the totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects and behavior. It includes the ideas, value, customs and artefacts of a group of people” [1]. Cultural heritage includes also buildings and historic places which are considered worthy of preservation. An architectural heritage can be interpreted as an “artifact,” where its elements are witnesses of the cultures, actors, and of events occurred during the life of the building [2]. Many studies have dealt with the importance of revitalization of cultural and architectural heritage. Most of them were related to the revitalization of historic buildings that will contribute to the quality of historical places and urban renewal. The main strategies focus on demolishing old buildings, constructing new ones, mainly improving the quality of buildings [3], infilling construction in open areas [4], renewing deteriorating urban areas by assimilating new communities [5].

On the other side, the future of urban renewal involves understanding both of urban spaces and architectural context. This is contributed by the fact that “historic urban areas are among the most abundant and diverse manifestations of our common cultural heritage, shaped by generations and constituting a key testimony to humankind’s endeavors and aspirations through space and time” [6]. According to Bolici, Gambaro and Giordano [7]: “open spaces in the urban landscapes suffer from deterioration caused by man that leads to two major outcomes: on one side they are abandoned because of newer contemporary needs, on the other hand they tend to be “cannibalized” in the attempt to satisfy our society”.

The question is how can revitalization of surrounding environment lead to the creation of a higher-quality public space which contains a sense of place and local identity? What parameters are important in implementing an urban and architectural renewal strategy? The aim of this study is to understand which urban renewal planning strategy for a site produces a better quality and performance of the architectural heritage. The study focuses on the physical-spatial aspect of the open space related to the architectural heritage. The objective is to define a new urban narrative capable of reinterpreting the importance of interconnection between historic buildings and the public urban spaces revitalization.

2. Interconnection between the urban spaces renewal and architectural heritage revitalization- improving the shared space

All through history, the primary function of public space is to connect people and to promote community. Paaver and Küvetm [8] see good public space as a help to strengthen communities, promote citizen participation, reduce segregation, and encourage tolerance. According to Reeves, “it is the locations where citizens assemble, express themselves, celebrate victories, exchange ideas, protest, interact with new people, stage festivals, and take part in the informal economy. It is a spot where people know their fundamental rights are protected and where each person is treated as an equal and equally valued by the community” [9]. The UN-Habitat programme dealing with the future of cities and sustainable human settlements defines public spaces as all places accessible and enjoyable by all for free and without a profit motive [10]. Along with the process of urbanization, unmanaged changes in urban areas, which can threaten the integrity and the sense of place, can be observed.

Public spaces in the surroundings of historical buildings have a special role. To preserve and improve the architectural heritage, it is not enough to think only about the structure of the building, but also about the surrounding. According to Mehanna [11], Wang, and Yang [12], historical urban areas are associated with cultural heritage and historical buildings; thus, the renewal of buildings in these areas is prioritized. Such areas retain their original urban structure and unique building characteristics and contain land used for residential economic, and cultural activities. Therefore, the environment of historic buildings should inspire people to make social interactions, but also to share historical values to the community. The value of historical environment should be in connecting the sense of the present with the past. Public places are also of great importance for understanding changes that follow the future. They are not only helping in activating the community, but also in promoting the importance of historical architecture. According to UNESCO [6]:

“Public spaces as a historic urban environment, and as a wider context includes notably the site’s topography, geomorphology, hydrology and natural features, its built environment, both historic and contemporary, its infrastructures above and below ground, its open spaces and gardens, its land use patterns and spatial organization, perceptions and visual relationships, as well as all other elements of the urban structure. It also includes social and cultural practices and values, economic processes and the intangible dimensions of heritage as related to diversity and identity.”

To enhance the role of public spaces in historic urban landscape we need a systemic approach which consists of new strategies. Some of them are including synergistic approaches that suggest “identifying, conserving and managing historic areas within their broader urban contexts, by considering the interrelationships of their physical forms, their spatial organization and connection, their natural features and settings, and their social, cultural and economic values” [6]. On the other side, Paaver and Küvetm [8] see the maintaining and developing public space as a task for the public sector and requires creativity, professionalism, and cooperation. The major difficulty for authorities is to create and sustain public places that are promoting cultural value of architectural heritage.

Urban renewal notably emphasizes heritage conservation and renaissance [13] rather than simply demolishing and reconstructing deteriorated and obsolete buildings to construct a better living environment [14]. Therefore, these buildings should be restored when required to retain the original architectural appearance. According to the Institute of Historic Building Conservation [15] the combination of refurbished old buildings, exciting new ones, good urban design, and high quality spaces has created places where people positively choose to live, work, and spend leisure time.

Good public space enhances the spatial perception of the historic building not as a stand-alone item but an element in the public space network. On the other hand, revitalized historical buildings contribute to the improvement of the entire zone in which they are located. The architectural heritage can activate unsafe and forgotten public spaces. It is commonly agreed that heritage conservation can bring many social benefits which enhance a sense of identity and local character and bring economic benefits to the community [14]. Therefore, it is important to think about improving historical places in two directions. According to Tur, Delgado, Cortizo [16], the future involves an architecture that acts together the public space that can produce reactions that diminish the environmental impact and promote urban revitalization.

The need to integrate urban and architectural heritage revitalization strategies leads to sustainable development. Lately, the idea of shared space may be advanced to improve the connection with pedestrians in public places space jointly utilized by automobiles along with other vehicles [17]. Urban regeneration processes, when consider architecture, can generate city in the city.

There are many cases of connecting public places and historical buildings. This can be seen in Sechseläuten Square in Zürich, Switzerland and Paris, France- The Louvre Pyramid, where there are unique combinations between old buildings and modern urban renewal (Figure 1). In Hong Kong, there have been cases of heritage buildings converted into costly commercial places that generated sizable increases in tourism revenues and created a rise in property prices in the nearby businesses and for land owners in the entire area [18]. In comparison, the three revitalized historic building projects have been completed in different times during the last decade and they have contributed to improvement of the physical conditions of the buildings, ambience of the streets, and the regeneration of the old Wan Chai area [14].

Figure 1.

The view on historic buildings and modern public spaces: Sechseläuten Square in Zürich, Switzerland and Paris, France- the louvre pyramid.

a) https://www.publicspace.org/documents/220568/937195/31254sechselaeuten_page_1pdf.pdf/a5977b2b-bf13-4123-06a4-50aed702c954?version=1.0&t=1525207045852 l, 2. b) https://aquatransform.ch/projects/sechselaeutenplatz-opernhaus-zuerich/, c) https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/536209899370524766/, d) https://www.getyourguide.de/paris-l16/paris-louvre-museum-timed-entrance-ticket-t145779/?visitor-id=CU9AEX9Q9NMB0TE9EUEZBCODNWUMD3R1&locale_autoredirect_optout=true

3. Considerations of a solution- scenes from many applied revitalization practice

3.1 Extensions in new urban-architectural outline

The renovation of historical buildings begins with an analysis of the existing condition. If one part of the building is already demolished, the special consideration is given to the extension of the building. The most often goal is to develop extensions that will be striking and modern in expression. This method can be observed in the intervention at the church of the convent of Sant Francesc, located in the Catalan town of Santpedor, which was converted into a cultural facility (Figure 2). This building has been developed with the goal of differentiating the new elements constructed (using contemporary construction systems and languages from the original elements of this historical church). With the aim of preserving all aspects of the building’s past, the intervention has not hidden traces, wounds, or scars. Thus, they have remained visible depressions, holes where the altarpieces once were, traces of missing elements [19].

Figure 2.

The church of the convent of Sant Francesc, the Catalan town of Santpedor

a) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Obres_al_Convent_de_Sant_Francesc_de_Montblanc_5.JPG, b) https://www.archiscene.net/education/convent-de-sant-francesc-david-closes-architects/https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convent_de_Sant_Francesc_%28Santpedor%29, c) https://www.archdaily.com/251389/convent-de-sant-francesc

Rather than reconstructing the church, the intervention has just consolidated the old fabric, clearly distinguishing the new elements that are executed of the original ones [19]. The extension ensures the visibility of the entrance, but also emphasizes the small urban space around the building. Urban environment has a simple design. It consists of a bench and a single tree that suggests the loneliness of a culturally enlightened society. Also, its simplicity points us to the importance of an object in which silence and peace prevail.

The dynamic and contrasting connection of the historical building with the modern extension is also observed in the Royal Ontario Museum. This extension was designed by Daniel Libeskind “the best known studio for creating poignant monuments and museums for tragic events” [20] and it was completed in 2007. The impressive structure opens an intensive dialog with the surrounding, rising 37 meters above the ground, and becoming the most important focal point of contemporary architecture in Toronto. The simple urban functional furniture surrounds this extension—black benches and a black information panel, which are perfectly combined with the ancient original building (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

The modern extension of the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. a) https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/05/31/history-of-the-royal-ontario-museum-rom/ chin-crystal-15,427,415.html, b) https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/visualarts/2017/06/26/toronto-still-cant-decide-if-it-likes-the-rom-crystal.html

Another project of Libeskind also connects the rigidity of modern expression with classical architectural values—the extension at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, completed in 2008. According to Allen [21], a geometric form clad in blue steel juts out of a brick building that used to be a power plant. The steel portion, which contains exhibition, performance, and event spaces, is designed to mimic the Hebrew letters chet and yud, spelling l’chaim or “to life” [21]. In the same way as in the project of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, plain urban furniture, consisting of concrete benches and two street lamps welcome visitors and accentuate the entrance. With the synergy of urban planning and architecture, not only the urban space was revitalized, but also the historical building of the museum. The water surface, which reflects the facade of the historical part of the building, emphasizes its rhythm and the harmony of the openings (Figure 4).

Figure 4.

The modern extension in contemporary museum in San Francisco. a) Unknown. b) https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/daniel-libeskind-architecture, c) https://libeskind.com/work/contemporary-jewish-museum/

3.2 Glazed urban spaces as a part of historical building

In order to eliminate some of weather issues, many public courtyards have horizontal glazing above. Courtyards become atriums, some of which still retain the esthetics of the urban garden. The use of glass, as a material for urban space, eliminates a visual barrier and allows an abundance of natural light to flood down into the building. This can be observed in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a Venetian-style palazzo, renovated by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano and the Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Genoa, Italy) in 2004 (Figure 5). This project of revitalization adds “70,000 square feet consisting of two new buildings. The first building attaches to the original museum and takes on the appearance of 4-stories in glass and copper. The second building is smaller in size and uses the area for greenhouses and living quarters” [22].

Figure 5.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the glazed atrium, Boston. a) https://www.asla.org/guide/site.aspx?id=39982, b,c) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_Stewart_Gardner_Museum

Not just a new wing, houses gallery space for special exhibitions and other facilities [23] are added, but also the glass skylight, which illuminates the central atrium of the original building. This atrium is seen as an exquisite interior courtyard, and can be described both as an urban public place and as a part of a historical building. According to Artnet, “the Gardner’s interior courtyard combines ever-changing horticultural displays with sculpture and architectural elements [24]. The interplay between the courtyard and the museum galleries offers visitors a fresh view from almost every room, inviting connections between art and landscape” [24]. The following testimony of a visitor describes this impressive indoor public space:

“Although we arrived in the afternoon, we were able to enjoy strolling the courtyard with its exotic and lush tropical plants encased in the four-story, glass-roofed, all-season conservatory. Dusk arrives early in winter in Boston, so the lighting was dim(…)The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has something to impress everyone, from museum antiquities to interior lush landscaping [25].”

Beside the glass ceiling, glass walls are also frequently used. Improvements in glass processing technology have made it possible to render an effective solution for historical buildings and their esthetics. Glass walls are most commonly constructed with the full height glass panels, in order to bring a real dramatic visual feature to the core purpose of the historical place. This can be observed in a winning entry in a competition of renovating and extending the historic “palais du commerce in Rennes,” (Figure 6) where glass walls are forming the atrium and the connection between new and old building. This design is considered as a tool for revitalization both the building and the surroundings. According to Barandy, “MVRDV’s proposal will reactivate the place de la république and turn this former public building into a centerpiece of the city’s main commercial street, raising it to the level of significance that was initially intended [26]. De vries, founding partner of MVRDV, elaborates: “not only is palais du commerce a local landmark, but its transformation will turn the place de la république into a popular destination and act as a vital catalyst for its surroundings [27].” Inside the glass cube is a closed public space enriched with greenery. Also the impressive, almost sculptural stair is added, in order to fulfill the functionality through a upper level. Construction of the project will begin in 2022, with completion expected for 2025.

Figure 6.

Palais du commerce and the glazed atrium, Rennes. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/mvrdv-palais-du-commerce-extension-rennes-02-12-19/

In some cases, the urban area around historical buildings is glazed with spherical glass walls. Such an example can be seen in 120 meters long and 25 meters high Strasbourg Railway Station glass shell (Figure 7). This shell represents 6500 m² façade area which encloses the historic station building and serves as “the entrance building and as the link between train tracks and trains, trams, buses, taxis as well as the underground” [28]. The glass bubble along the south side of the station is an answer on thermal energy and it functions as a double “skin” of the building. “By carefully designing the building to help pull in more air than would come out naturally from the tunnel (and by adding a couple of simple, low-energy devices like a radiant slab, itself drawing from the water table), it is possible to make the space under this very large south facing glass wall comfortable in summer, almost exclusively through passive means” [29]. Now, the public space which surrounds the station becomes one of the urban features of the city. Therefore, the project of revitalization seeks to promote the historical presence of a train station. Also, it tends to link “the various points of access to the various modes of transportation and to provide proper shelter in all possible climates” [29].

Figure 7.

Strasbourg Railway Station glass shell. a) https://www.northernarchitecture.us/performative-architecture/strasbourg-train-station-extension.html b) https://seele.com/references/strasbourg-railway-station c) Hugh Llewelyn-https://www.flickr.com/photos/58433307@N08/5698669435/

3.3 Revitalization through sustainable reuse - activating urban alleys

Thinking about a broader vision for revitalization and highlighting historic resources, many architects use the opportunity to activate the surrounding alleys. According to the Alley Dwelling Act [30], an alley is “any court, thoroughfare, or passage, private or public, thirty feet or more in width, that does not open directly with a width of at least thirty feet upon a public street that is at least forty feet wide from building line to building line.” As alleys have always been perceived as unsafe places, those hidden passageways are often avoided by passengers.

In historical areas, alleys should be recognized as an important point of revitalization of historical buildings. Especially when taking into account that alleys can make a compatible relationship, but also an appropriate separation between new development and historical buildings. A physical interaction with architectural heritage gives them a placemaking potential. “Most under-used spaces and buildings have both physical and intangible cultural and natural heritage with a high recreational, aesthetic, therapeutic, social, and cultural interaction value” [31]. In some cities, where a lot of downtown areas exist, activating alleys includes accommodating existing functions that are integral to the operations of downtown organization.

As highlight historical assets, alleys are also providing safety and opportunities for people to relax and visit old historical buildings. They are also “providing affordable opportunities for new small businesses and expansion of existing local businesses (e.g., Sydney, Australia small business program for alleys), supporting green corridors (Austin, xxiv Chicago), celebrating visual and performing arts, expanding the pedestrian network and connectivity to other parts of downtown, and enhancing pedestrian experiences through car free, intimately-scaled spaces” [32].

There have not been many studies that represent the importance of alleys in historical areas. However, there are some alleys, for example, Blagden Alley and Naylor Court that are officially recognized for their impact on historical buildings. Similarly, Cady’s alley (Figure 8) “has been recently renovated, and its formerly under-utilized collection of 19th century stables, warehouses and alley dwellings have been converted into an exclusive shopping district filled with high-end designer show rooms, office spaces, and a restaurant” [32]. In Boston, there is an alley converted into a bookstore, and in Seattle, there is an “open-gallery” alley (Figure 8).

Figure 8.

Cady’s Alley, Georgetown, Washington, bookstore in the alley; Boston, MA, “20’ WIDE,” collaborative case study in creating temporary activations for downtown alleys. Michael Knox, City of Austin, Economic Development Departmen https://de.foursquare.com/v/cadys-alley/4b6c764bf964a520143c2ce3/photos

In all of these cases, defining strategies for overcoming challenges in revitalization of alleys, their existing conditions along with cultural and historical significance should be precisely verified. According to The City of Austin Downtown Commission, Alley Activation Workgroup (2013) “re-examining the functional vs. cultural landscape of alleys and developing a plan to re-invent one or more of the city’s alleyways as a neighborhood amenity on a temporary or permanent basis should also be observed”. Activation of alleys can be done through a redesign and improvement of physical place, and also through human activities and social events. This can be observed in the Austin downtown area, where several alleys are recognized as important (Figure 9). They are activated with a “variety of art which is designed by Dan Cheetham and Michelle Tarsney as “a temporary aerial sculpture with brightly colored, interwoven twine that was hung across the alleyway, together with a collection of paper origami peace cranes created by children at the Art” [32]. In this way, the appearance of historical building, recognizable by its old bricks, is preserved.

Figure 9.

The Austin downtown area produced by Michael Knox, City of Austin, economic development department, City of Austin. https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/EGRSO/Activating_Austins_Downtown_Alleys_as_Public_Spaces.pdf

3.4 Green revitalization

Historical preservation and renewal plans should have a long-term perspective. Therefore, projects focused on finding new design approaches for heritage revitalization are also developing green growth strategies. According to Elshater [33] “since the mid-eighties of the last century, the international community began to realize the need for a combination of political and scientific efforts to solve environmental problems.” At the center of this issue is ecological design strategy, which helps architect toward generating revitalization concepts based on sustainable green thought. Hunts [34], sees using “the right materials and appropriate techniques” as a method by which “our building heritage can be made sustainable”.

The value of green areas is demonstrated through their multiple benefits. When applicable to the architectural revitalization and renovation of the building, the green projects can greatly reduce the embodied carbon in the buildings, creating a sustainable model of development for the future. It is well-known that adding green roofs to historical buildings can enhance their energy performance. However, “full greening” refers to full-surface coverage of a facade with climbing plants. While some plants can cover an entire facade without the need of a climbing support/trellis, it is also possible to attach grids and trellises to the wall, and to combine several climbing plants to create contrast, what we call “mixed greening.” (Fassadengruen.de).

As the intersection between architecture and public space, green areas can improve the walking and cycling experience. Also, it is “hoped that green open space from any urban area development planning, carried out by the respective regional governments, which in turn can have an impact on both the wider community and the surrounding environment, both as a fulfillment of the need for public space as a means of the activity or as a container or means of pollution reduction air” [35].

In addition to heritage revitalization laws and principles, a condition of the structure, load bearing capacity, planning permits, safety, and the climate must be considered. This can be observed in Saxony, where old buildings have been restored with full or part-surface facade greening. Also, an ancient ivy in the nature park on the Ilm river in the Templar hall in Weimar has been green-redesigned in the style of Romanticism. In this way, not only architectural heritage was revitalized, but also the urban environment (Figure 10).

Figure 10.

Full-surface facade greening with wisteria on climbing supports, town hall Riesa / Saxony, ancient ivy in the nature park on the Ilm river in the Templar hall, Weimar/Thürigen [36]. https://www.fassadengruen.de/en/classicism-and-building-greening.html

4. Conclusion

Historic revitalization is complex and it is constantly evolving. In recent years, with technological innovation, understanding of the importance of the relationship between urban renewal and the restoration of architectural heritage is being recognized. Generally, this interconnection is represented as a way of promoting the sustainable development of cities. It includes improvement of historical buildings and development of land resource utilization. Therefore, a holistic approach to the revitalization of historic urban areas began to be applied.

Urban renewal strategy that includes architectural revitalization leads to the creation of a higher-quality environment. Urban places with this value can increase social interactions. Many scientific studies show the benefit of having stronger, more active communities. However, there are not many studies that give guidelines on how to redesign the historical environment to achieve this. Hereof, some of the strategies in building a lasting interconnection between public urban places and architectural heritage are represented in this chapter.

One of the ways to activate a historical place is by renovating the building itself. The special consideration is given to the extension of the building. In order to emphasize the difference between the old and the new part of the building, the most often goal is to develop modern extensions. Many of those urban environment has a simple design, given that simplicity points us to the importance of historical object.

Another way of revitalizing historical areas includes using the right materials. The use of glass, as the most common, eliminates some of weather issues, as well as a visual barrier between the building and environment. It also allows the building to be illuminated by natural light. In those projects of revitalization, the light and shade play an important role, as they become an essential component that gives an architecture a sense of identity. In some cases, with the use of glass, courtyards become atriums. Whether they are formed as a cube or the urban area around historic buildings is glazed with spherical glass walls, many of those atriums can be described both as an urban public place and as a part of a historical building. They are often enriched with greenery. In that manner, atriums get a great quality of an outdoor space.

Thinking about a broader vision for revitalization, many architects activate the surrounding alleys. In that manner, a city’s alley should be space dedicated to a singular use—movement. And their primary goal should be the safe and efficient use by pedestrians. A spatial-physical interaction with architectural heritage gives alleys a placemaking potential. They provide many opportunities for people to gather and relax. Alleys can be revitalized as green corridors, with a good paving, or as an open gallery that celebrate visual and performing arts. Furthermore, they can expand the pedestrian network and enhance pedestrian experiences and safety in visiting historical buildings.

Historical renewal plans should also have a long-term approach. Therefore, heritage revitalization includes “green” strategies. It is well-known that the green projects can greatly reduce the embodied carbon and enhance energy performance of historical buildings. Furthermore, green areas can improve the walking and cycling experience. They can have an impact on the community and the environment, as a public space, and as an area that reduce pollution in air.

Architecture and public space, when cooperate, can multiply urban and architectural vitality effects. Reinterpreting the importance of interconnection between historical buildings and urban area improves economical, energy, and, the most important, social sustainability. It can be used as a social connector, where people can come together for both unique public events and visiting old buildings. Interconnection between public space and public buildings can increase performance and quality of urban areas, as well as senses of neighborliness and belongingness. Finally, making connection between the inner and outer spaces, buildings, and environment can lead into generating city in the city. This process will be increasingly common in an urbanized world, especially in some territories with a long urban history. The desired macro and micro goals may be produced: the improvement of the global social interconnection; cities, where the history and future are combined, and historical buildings as places of heritage, synergies and interconnections.