Introduction. Urban development of historic centres of towns, destroyed by man-induced disasters, means finding the balance between the preservation of the cultural environment and development of a new medium capable of meeting present-day challenges. These problems can be effectively tackled in respect of architectural ensembles, monuments of history and architecture having the status of world heritage sites, as they are restored through the efforts of the world community. This problem is particularly acute in the historic cities of Syria that suffered from warlike operations at the outset of the 21st century. Materials and methods. The system approach was employed by the co-authors to develop and present a historic and genetic model and to set the borders of territories that can be qualified as historic landmarks. Processed aerial imagery and on-site examination of buildings have enabled the co-authors to assess the extent of destruction of buildings and structures, located within the borders of urban historic centres, identified by means of urban zoning techniques. Results. The co-authors have ranked the buildings and structures in the districts of Homs, Syria, using the extent of destruction as a criterion. They also propose a definition for the notion of cultural heritage sites (“CHS”), as well as the typology of CHS or “landmarks” in the Syrian Arab Republic. The co-authors offer a methodology for the examination of localities, destroyed during the war, needed to develop their restoration roadmaps. They have also substantiated the need to regenerate the urban environment in the Bani Sibhaa community, to restore the historic centre of Homs to its initial appearance due to its status of a special cultural heritage site, as it has fragments of historic urban planning and ancient buildings. Conclusions. The damage assessment of buildings, structures, and items of historic and cultural heritage, performed using qualitative values, helps to assess the condition of the cultural environment, resources and valuables available in the historic centre; it also serves as the basis for urban zoning and setting boundaries of historical sites. The approach, developed by the co-authors, encompasses prerequisites and a set of instruments to be used to develop reconstruction strategies for the areas previously exposed to military operations, as well as urban development programmes, that will boost cultural processes capable of producing positive impact on urban and regional economies through job generation, travel industry development, and revival of folk crafts. The findings will be contributed to the conceptual design of multiscale cultural policy events that can boost the development of local areas.
The purpose of the research is to present guidelines and recommendations that can contribute to the post-war recovery of urban cultural heritage by a proposed methodology, based on other experiences in the reconstruction and preservation field of historical areas after wars, with the possibility of applying them, as an attempt to regain the features of the old part of the city. We also suggest those suggestions and guidance on three different levels. These guidelines are applicable at three levels: the historic core of the city, neighbourhood level, and individual quarters level. Each level had a specific theme for reconstruction planning that can maintain the city’s particular character during the current circumstances. Many cities have been heavily damaged as a result of the armed conflict in Syria, destroying most of the city’s neighbourhoods, including the historic district. Hence, we present a study of the consequences of this destruction on the historic fabric of the city, and search for the best solutions to give it the needed protection. Finally, the results and recommendations of this research will lead to developing answers to deal with historic centres and historic buildings that have been damaged by the armed conflict and were neglected before the war. The goal of this research is to identify fundamental principles that can lead to a successful reconstruction process while also preserving the city’s cultural identity.
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