The role of natural resources in the historic urban landscape approach

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore possible contributions of natural resources for the historic urban landscape (HUL) approach. It points to several possible avenues for collaborative research, which can expand the discourse on the topic of urban sustainability with different disciplines of heritage studies, natural resource management, urban planning and disaster risk reduction. Design/methodology/approach – There are already several UNESCO initiatives such as the Man and Biosphere Programme, World Heritage Forests Programme and the World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States, which the HUL approach can learn from to understand approaches that integrate natural resource management in urban planning methods. Different cases from the USA, Japan and Singapore applying landscape approaches have also been documented in this research. Findings – Several examples have been found in which natural resources are integrated to bigger strategies of urban planning. Japan has enacted the “Landscape Law” in 2004 to highlight the importance of preserving landscapes in improving the quality and viability of community life. The “Mauritius Strategy” created by small island developing states is another example. It holistically looks at policies to deal with environmental challenges while advocating economic growth and protecting cultural and natural heritage, among other concerns. The long tradition of creating greenways in the USA have also contributed in presenting heritage assets and providing environmental benefits. The High Line in New York City is a good example of this. Originality/value – In line with the HUL approach, the research points out possibilities of non-traditional collaborations in solving current urban challenges. Finding ways of linking natural resources to a bigger urban framework can inspire new solutions for the interlinked problems of urban growth, heritage management and nature conservation amidst climate change.

Urban political ecologies of heritage: Integrating cultural and natural landscapes in Penang, Malaysia

“…Landscape has thus been defined as “a way of seeing the world and imagining our relationship to nature” (Wilson, , p. 14). Similarly, Caballero has noted that “landscapes are products of harmony between nature, history and culture of a specific area” (, p. 8; see also Ishizawa, ). This understanding draws on earlier writing on landscape in cultural geography, which has demonstrated how landscapes can influence environmental sensibilities of their inhabitants, and normative understandings of how the landscape should be used (Cosgrove & Daniels, ; Duncan & Duncan, ; Schein, ).…”

“…Landscape is thus a key concept used in international heritage legislation, such as the Burra Charter , which acknowledges the various associative values that contribute to the significance of place (Australia ICOMOS, ). Using a historic urban landscape approach, Caballero (, p. 8) has since widened the dimensions of urban heritage to include all geological formations, flora and fauna, water bodies, agricultural lands, and human settlements within and along the periphery of a designated area that contribute to the essence of a specific landscape. The significance of such an approach is that heritage management thus becomes a central component of the sustainable development of urban areas.…”

“…While there is strong legislation protecting the integrity of Penang's hills, this is largely not enforced by the government. This emphasises the need for the active role of local residents in co‐directing the planning process and preserving important heritage landscapes (see Caballero, ).…”

“… While various terms have been proposed to indicate the interconnection between cultural and natural landscapes, such as “natural‐cum‐cultural” heritage (Jim, ) and “historic urban landscape” (Caballero, ), I use the notion of urban heritage to incorporate both of these dimensions. …”

Evaluating Comparative Research: Mapping and Assessing Current Trends in Built Heritage Studies

“…Through a cross-jurisdictional transfer of knowledge, comparison can help practitioners and policy-makers to devise better policies, to face challenges or to avoid past mistakes [35]. Additionally, comparative inquiry is crucial for devising well-informed policies that improve the long-term management of built heritage properties and consequently strengthen the social, economic, environmental and cultural sustainability of those resources [5][6][7]36]. Lastly, comparative knowledge is essential in a field of built heritage, which is constantly lampooned as being elitist, random, culturally naïve, unsustainable and even socio-economically destructive [37].…”