Short answer
When designing or planning in historic urban areas, actively research and engage with local communities to understand and protect their intangible heritage, ensuring it is considered a distinct and valuable aspect of the urban landscape.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Built Heritage (2018)
- Method
- Conceptual analysis and literature review
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
A clear conceptual understanding of intangible heritage is crucial for effectively integrating it into urban management strategies, particularly within the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Built Heritage. Using Conceptual analysis and literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or planning in historic urban areas, actively research and engage with local communities to understand and protect their intangible heritage, ensuring it is considered a distinct and valuable aspect of the urban landscape.
Defining Intangible Heritage for Holistic Urban Design
A clear conceptual understanding of intangible heritage is crucial for effectively integrating it into urban management strategies, particularly within the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach.
Built Heritage · 2018
Key Findings
- 01There is a persistent confusion regarding the definition and scope of 'intangible heritage' in urban contexts.
- 02Distinguishing between 'intangible values' associated with an environment and 'intangible cultural heritage' (ICH) is essential for effective management.
- 03A clearer conceptual understanding is necessary to integrate intangible heritage as a subject of safeguarding in its own right, rather than solely as an attribute of tangible fabric.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing or planning in historic urban areas, actively research and engage with local communities to understand and protect their intangible heritage, ensuring it is considered a distinct and valuable aspect of the urban landscape.
How to apply
When undertaking a design project in a culturally rich urban area, begin by researching the intangible heritage associated with the site, including local traditions, community values, and cultural practices, and explore how these can be preserved or enhanced through the design.
Project actions
- 01When researching a site, look beyond historical records and architectural plans to include ethnographic studies or interviews with local residents.
- 02Consider how your design might impact or support existing cultural practices or community gatherings.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses a critical gap in heritage management discourse.
- +Provides a foundational conceptual framework for future research and practice.
Limitations
It can be challenging to objectively measure or quantify the impact of a design on intangible heritage.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings depends on the consistency of conceptual definitions across academic literature. Validity is strong in its conceptual argument but would require empirical testing for practical application.
Think critically
To what extent can intangible heritage truly be 'managed' or 'preserved' through design interventions, and what are the ethical considerations involved in representing or influencing cultural practices?
Design Principles
"Integrate intangible heritage as a core component of urban design and heritage management, recognizing its dynamic and multifaceted nature."
Designers and urban planners often overlook the significance of intangible heritage, focusing solely on tangible structures. This research highlights the need to consider cultural practices, community values, and the dynamic nature of heritage to create more inclusive and sustainable urban environments.
What This Means for Your Design
To design well in old cities, you need to understand not just the buildings, but also the traditions, values, and practices of the people who live there, and make sure your design respects and protects these 'invisible' parts of the city's heritage.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of intangible heritage considerations in your design process, demonstrating an understanding of holistic urban development.
- 2.Reference the conceptual challenges identified to explain why your design approach specifically addresses these issues.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the critical need for a clear conceptual understanding of intangible heritage in urban design. By differentiating between intangible values and cultural practices, designers can move towards a more holistic approach, ensuring that their projects not only preserve tangible structures but also respect and safeguard the living cultural heritage of a community, aligning with principles of sustainable urban development.
Source
Built Heritage
Conceptualising Intangible Heritage in Urban Environments: Challenges for Implementing the HUL Recommendation
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about defining intangible heritage for holistic urban design?
- When designing or planning in historic urban areas, actively research and engage with local communities to understand and protect their intangible heritage, ensuring it is considered a distinct and valuable aspect of the urban landscape. Evidence: Built Heritage (2018).
- Why does "Defining Intangible Heritage for Holistic Urban Design" matter for design?
- Designers and urban planners often overlook the significance of intangible heritage, focusing solely on tangible structures. This research highlights the need to consider cultural practices, community values, and the dynamic nature of heritage to create more inclusive and sustainable urban environments.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing or planning in historic urban areas, actively research and engage with local communities to understand and protect their intangible heritage, ensuring it is considered a distinct and valuable aspect of the urban landscape.
- What were the main findings?
- There is a persistent confusion regarding the definition and scope of 'intangible heritage' in urban contexts.. Distinguishing between 'intangible values' associated with an environment and 'intangible cultural heritage' (ICH) is essential for effective management.. A clearer conceptual understanding is necessary to integrate intangible heritage as a subject of safeguarding in its own right, rather than solely as an attribute of tangible fabric.
- What research method was used?
- Conceptual analysis and literature review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from Built Heritage.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When undertaking a design project in a culturally rich urban area, begin by researching the intangible heritage associated with the site, including local traditions, community values, and cultural practices, and explore how these can be preserved or enhanced through the design.
- What are the limitations?
- The paper focuses on conceptual challenges and does not provide specific implementation case studies.