Curating Sustainable Urban Transformations Through Heritage
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Bartlett Sch of Env, Energy & Resources
Abstract
It is well known that cities are constantly changing. As such, cities are composed of added
historic layers that, over time, transform into heritage which merits conservation. Within
the conservation process, heritage constitutes an inherent dynamic and transformative
urban element. However, fragmented heritage structures targeted by urban strategies,
often lose the opportunity to offer urban planning a sustainable source for cultural values
as these pose difficulties for practitioners and users to agree on what is to be protected.
To address this challenge, CURBATHERI proposes an approach in which historical
transformation is a value which we need to sustain. In this way, the needs for change and
new cultural imprints in the city are addressed through its own deep historic continuity. To
achieve this, CURBATHERI's main objective is to develop a management toolbox that
considers historical urban transformation as a source of heritage values that will enable
decision makers to better understand the deep history of the place. This toolkit is based
on cross-cutting research for comparable analysis in Norway, UK, Italy and Spain that
integrates conceptual solutions defined by participatory approaches, online and offline,
through innovative digital heritage modelling.
The toolbox is expected to facilitate the conceptualization of heritage values among
stakeholders for the prioritization of best planning solutions. Both the theoretical and
practical contributions of the project aim to stimulate reflection on the choices on how to
use urban heritage affected by the historical transformation in urban planning. All in all,
using these choices as a tool for enabling dialogue will stimulate reflection on how to make
room for different ways of implementing time and temporality in future cities.
historic layers that, over time, transform into heritage which merits conservation. Within
the conservation process, heritage constitutes an inherent dynamic and transformative
urban element. However, fragmented heritage structures targeted by urban strategies,
often lose the opportunity to offer urban planning a sustainable source for cultural values
as these pose difficulties for practitioners and users to agree on what is to be protected.
To address this challenge, CURBATHERI proposes an approach in which historical
transformation is a value which we need to sustain. In this way, the needs for change and
new cultural imprints in the city are addressed through its own deep historic continuity. To
achieve this, CURBATHERI's main objective is to develop a management toolbox that
considers historical urban transformation as a source of heritage values that will enable
decision makers to better understand the deep history of the place. This toolkit is based
on cross-cutting research for comparable analysis in Norway, UK, Italy and Spain that
integrates conceptual solutions defined by participatory approaches, online and offline,
through innovative digital heritage modelling.
The toolbox is expected to facilitate the conceptualization of heritage values among
stakeholders for the prioritization of best planning solutions. Both the theoretical and
practical contributions of the project aim to stimulate reflection on the choices on how to
use urban heritage affected by the historical transformation in urban planning. All in all,
using these choices as a tool for enabling dialogue will stimulate reflection on how to make
room for different ways of implementing time and temporality in future cities.
Publications
Bonacchi C
(2021)
(in press) Assessing the transforming social values of cities in the longue durée: analysis of a Florence neighbourhood from the Middle Ages to the present
in European Journal of Postclassical Archaeologies
Bonacchi C
(2023)
Researching heritage values in social media environments: understanding variabilities and (in)visibilities
in International Journal of Heritage Studies
Bonacchi, C
(2022)
DEEP CITIES: WP3 CASE STUDY REPORT (Canongate)
Bonacchi, C
(2022)
DEEP CITIES: WP3 CASE STUDY REPORT (Woolwich)
Bonacchi, C
Creating heritage values in social media environments: understanding variabilities and (in)visibilities (submitted)
in International Journal of Heritage Studies
Bonacchi, C
(2022)
Work Package 3: Laboratories Summary Report
Guttormsen, T.S
(2022)
The Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Heritage
Pastor Pérez, A.
'Evolución de los valores del Patrimonio Cultural',
in Revista de Estudios Sociales
Pastor Pérez, A.
(2021)
'Analizando el valor patrimonial de las transformaciones urbanas en Barcelona',
in Complutum
Title | Unbound soul |
Description | A theatrical performance showcasing the role of urban heritage in mental health was showcase at the venue of the project's associate partner (Artfix) as well as at UCL's Bloomsbury theatre, |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | A wide and diverse audience was engaged with the performance, an audience that we would not be able to engage with through traditional, conventional media such as conferences. A survey reveals raising awareness on mental health and the role of heritage in wellbeing among the wider public |
URL | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/whats-on/unbound-soul-adaptation-sarah-kanes-448-psychosis |
Description | One of the key findings at the early stages of the project is that 'change' in historic cities is not an obstacle but rather a cultural and social value that should be studied, understood and integrated into planning policies for the sustainable development of urban areas in decline. An additional finding that became clearer after the system dynamic analysis is the critical significance in unpacking the 'deep spirit' of a place upon which present and future sustainable transformation plans can be built. |
Exploitation Route | Our next objective is to organize participatory workshops with decision-makers and residents in Woolwich, London. These workshops will allow us to co-create with the local stakeholders the vision of a sustainable future for the area where heritage and development can co-exist while bringing communities together. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Creative Economy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Description | At these early stages of the project, our work has inspired local stakeholders located in the UK, Italy, Norway and Barcelona to engage actively in forthcoming discussions and workshops |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | Integration of Deep Cities project into tenders for evaluation of the Heritage Action Zone scheme in Woolwich |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Impact | The impacts are ongoing and under investigation |
Title | System dynamics model on urban heritage dynamics |
Description | The model outlines how the case study of the project has transformed over time materially, socially and economically and what the impact of heritage has been. It provides also a method on capturing the deep spirit of the project |
Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The model is used now by stakeholders associated with the case study and has been disseminated to the international network of 'HERITOPOLIS' |
URL | https://www.deepcities-toolbox.unifi.it/ |
Description | - L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Museum (Catalonia, Spain). |
Organisation | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | This is a partner for the University of Barcelona important for setting up the case study research and networking with relevant stakeholders |
Collaborator Contribution | This is a partner for the University of Barcelona important for setting up the case study research and networking with relevant stakeholders |
Impact | Ongoing |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh City Council |
Organisation | Historic Environment Scotland |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | This partnership was made to support the development of a case study in Edinburgh, where to test the model/methodology designed for the project. |
Collaborator Contribution | Participation in meetings and interviews to discuss the relevance and applicability of the methods and tools developed as part of the Deep Cities project. |
Impact | Interviews and meetings |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | Crowdsourcing application, your city, your place |
Description | Crowdsourcing application to explore values associated with urban heritage |
Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | capturing public values of heritage |
Description | - #Deep Talks'21-22 series at the University of Barcelona. An open activity to bring urban transformations closer to the public in the virtual sphere. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | - #Deep Talks'21-22 series at the University of Barcelona. An open activity to bring urban transformations closer to the public in the virtual sphere. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
Description | 03-04/03/2022 Digital materialities in heritage making: disruptions and interventions, invited talk for the conference on Disruptive Materials, University of Trømso. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | About 40 academics, PG students and practitioners engaged with the talk and reported change in knowledge and understanding. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | 2022, 'Open science' in archaeology and heritage: challenges and future perspectives, session for the 28th EAA Conference, 31 August-3 September, Budapest, co-organised with Alessio Palmisano (University of Turin) and Marija Edinborough (University of Melbourne). |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Advanced knowledge of 'Open science' in archaeology and heritage: challenges and future perspectives, through a session held at the 28th EAA Conference, 31 August-3 September, Budapest, co-organised with Alessio Palmisano (University of Turin) and Marija Edinborough (University of Melbourne). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | 2022, Archaeology, Heritage and Social Activism, session for the 43rd Conference of the Theoretical Archaeology Group, 15-17 December, University of Edinburgh. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Advanced understanding of how social activism can be performed through archaeology and heritage. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Blog item on the role of performance and creative practices in heritage participation and regeneration |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I wrote a blog for the project's website |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited keynote speaker at HERILAND conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | I gave a keynote lecture at the final conference of the European project HERILAND. This was presented to a large PhD cohort (more than 20 students) studying in various universities in Europe. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Open seminar on "Peripheric Heritage". An activity of knowledge-gathering about social impact in heritage projects that took place in the virtual sphere. Organised by the University of Barcelona. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Open seminar on "Peripheric Heritage". An activity of knowledge-gathering about social impact in heritage projects that took place in the virtual sphere. Organised by the University of Barcelona. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Panel discussion of local stakeholders in Woolwich (incorporated into the teaching for MSc Sustainable Heritage) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A panel discussion on heritage-led urban regeneration in Woolwich was organized as part of the MSc in Sustainable Heritage. The panel comprised of representatives from Historic England, the local authority, the Greenwich Heritage Trust and Artfix. The intended purpose was educational as it aimed to trigger a critical dialogue among practitioners, policy-makers and postgraduate students regarding the role of heritage and culture in urban development. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Podcast on urban transformations through heritage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Podcast explaining the potential of heritage for the sustainable development of urban areas |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Project meeting in London with local stakeholders (Woolwich) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | The activity involved a meeting among the project partners and the local stakeholders in Woolwich. the meeting involved dissemination of findings, discussions on how to best develop a toolbox that is useful for decision-makers and a tour around the area |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |