Short answer

Prioritize and highlight the aesthetic appeal of a heritage site during redevelopment proposals, as this is often the most valued attribute by key stakeholders and can help to mitigate concerns related to its past.

Field: Innovation & Markets
Source: International Journal of Heritage Studies (2023)
Method: Qualitative research
Evidence: Moderate effect

Aesthetic considerations often outweigh historical stigma in the redevelopment of former asylums, enabling projects to proceed with less controversy. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in International Journal of Heritage Studies. Using Qualitative research, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize and highlight the aesthetic appeal of a heritage site during redevelopment proposals, as this is often the most valued attribute by key stakeholders and can help to mitigate concerns related to its past.

Study

Innovation & MarketsRecentModerate effect

Strategic Aesthetic Prioritization Drives Redevelopment of Stigmatized Heritage Sites

Aesthetic considerations often outweigh historical stigma in the redevelopment of former asylums, enabling projects to proceed with less controversy.

International Journal of Heritage Studies · 2023

Key Findings

01Aesthetic considerations were ascribed the most value by stakeholders.
02An 'acceptable level' of stigma was present, which facilitated redevelopment without significant controversy.
03A cross-disciplinary approach blending heritage, geography, and real estate literature with practitioner data proved effective in understanding diverse viewpoints.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When proposing designs for historically sensitive sites, develop strong visual representations that emphasize aesthetic merit and potential, while framing the historical narrative in a way that acknowledges but does not overshadow the future vision.

Project actions

01When researching existing buildings for a design project, consider not just their current state but also their historical context and how past perceptions might influence future use.
02Investigate how different groups (e.g., community, developers, historical societies) might value different aspects of a site.

Method & Evidence

AimHow do different stakeholder groups perceive and prioritize values during the redevelopment of historic sites with stigmatized pasts, and how do these perceptions influence the redevelopment process?

MethodQualitative research

ProcedureSemi-structured interviews were conducted with developers, planners, and heritage professionals involved in the redevelopment of three former asylum sites.

ContextHistoric building redevelopment, heritage sites, former asylums

Variables

IVStakeholder perceptions of value (e.g., aesthetic, historical, economic)

DVLevel of controversy in redevelopment, success of redevelopment

CVType of historic building (former asylum), number of stakeholder groups interviewed

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a novel cross-disciplinary approach to a complex issue.
+Uses real-world case studies and practitioner data.

Limitations

The findings are based on a small number of case studies and may not apply to all situations. The 'acceptable level' of stigma is not clearly defined and can vary greatly.

Reliability & validity

The qualitative nature of the interviews and the small sample size may limit generalizability and reliability. Validity is strengthened by the use of a cross-disciplinary approach and practitioner data.

Think critically

To what extent should the 'strategic forgetting' of a site's negative history be a deliberate part of the design and redevelopment process, and what are the ethical implications?

Design Principles

"Value perception in heritage redevelopment is often driven by tangible aesthetic qualities, which can act as a bridge to overcome historical stigma."

Understanding how stakeholders perceive and prioritize different values, particularly aesthetics, is crucial for navigating the complex redevelopment of sites with challenging histories. This insight can inform strategies for engaging stakeholders and mitigating potential conflicts during design and planning phases.

What This Means for Your Design

When trying to reuse old buildings with a bad history, people care most about how they look and what they can be made into, rather than the bad things that happened there before.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify prioritizing aesthetic design elements in your project, especially if the site has a complex history.
2.Refer to this study when discussing stakeholder engagement and how to navigate potential conflicts related to a site's past.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research into the redevelopment of historic sites with challenging pasts indicates that aesthetic considerations often take precedence over historical stigma in stakeholder perceptions. For instance, a study of former asylum redevelopments found that prioritizing the visual appeal and potential of these buildings facilitated their transformation with less controversy than might be expected, suggesting that design proposals should strongly emphasize aesthetic merit to navigate complex historical contexts.

Source

International Journal of Heritage Studies

After the asylum: value, stigma, and strategic forgetting in three historic former asylums

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about strategic aesthetic prioritization drives redevelopment of stigmatized heritage sites?: Prioritize and highlight the aesthetic appeal of a heritage site during redevelopment proposals, as this is often the most valued attribute by key stakeholders and can help to mitigate concerns related to its past. Evidence: International Journal of Heritage Studies (2023).
Why does "Strategic Aesthetic Prioritization Drives Redevelopment of Stigmatized Heritage Sites" matter for design?: Understanding how stakeholders perceive and prioritize different values, particularly aesthetics, is crucial for navigating the complex redevelopment of sites with challenging histories. This insight can inform strategies for engaging stakeholders and mitigating potential conflicts during design and planning phases.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize and highlight the aesthetic appeal of a heritage site during redevelopment proposals, as this is often the most valued attribute by key stakeholders and can help to mitigate concerns related to its past.
What were the main findings?: Aesthetic considerations were ascribed the most value by stakeholders.. An 'acceptable level' of stigma was present, which facilitated redevelopment without significant controversy.. A cross-disciplinary approach blending heritage, geography, and real estate literature with practitioner data proved effective in understanding diverse viewpoints.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from International Journal of Heritage Studies.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When proposing designs for historically sensitive sites, develop strong visual representations that emphasize aesthetic merit and potential, while framing the historical narrative in a way that acknowledges but does not overshadow the future vision.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a small sample of three sites, and findings may not be generalizable to all heritage redevelopment projects. The definition of 'acceptable level' of stigma is subjective and context-dependent.