Heritage-based Tools for the Sustainable Urban Development of Historic Centers

This book proposes a heritage-based approach for the sustainable urban development of the historic cities. The rapid growth of the cities, under the pressure of globalization processes and climate changes, implies deep transformations in their cultural asset, neglecting the role of urban heritage. Often urban planning instruments are not properly equipped with tools capable of managing the complexity of historic cities. The book fills a gap in the implementation of urban transformation, taking into consideration the urgency to protect sensitive and fragile parts of the historic city. The heritage-based tools are experimented with by using a unique case study in the Armenian context: the city of Gyumri and its historic center that, after the 1988 earthquake, suffered from a progressive degradation of its historical heritage. The book serves as a support for the implementation of the planning and regulation for the specific case study and as a methodological approach for planning the historic centers, replicable in other Armenian old cities and similar cities outside Armenia. It provides a framework for protecting the historic environment and buildings, as well as a tool for urban identity protection and a driver for economic development. The practical guidance also offers suggestions to inhabitants and technicians who must deal with the preservation of buildings and open spaces.