MESOC Serapeum | Where culture meets AI

Id		184
Author		Yung, E., H. K.; Zhang, Q., ; Chan, E., H.
Title		Underlying social factors for evaluating heritage conservation in urban renewal districts
Reference		Yung, E. H. K., Zhang, Q., & Chan, E. H. (2017). Underlying social factors for evaluating heritage conservation in urban renewal districts. Habitat International, 66, 135-148.
Link to article		https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2017.06.004
Abstract		Urban renewal usually involves large scale demolition of areas, which can lead to the destruction of social networks and local character. It has been increasingly recognized that heritage conservation in older districts undergoing urban renewal has a significant impact on enhancing a community's sense of place, identity and development. However, a clear understanding of the social factors which contribute to successful heritage conservation in urban renewal is still lacking. This study aims to identify the social role of heritage conservation in urban renewal. It also investigates whether certain underlying social factors vary among different districts, according to density, socio-demographics and the extent of redevelopment. In order to expose the factors, a survey of three hundred and twelve people in two urban renewal districts in Hong Kong was conducted using questionnaires. The identified social factors provide an evaluation framework for examining the collective impact of conservation of historic buildings, rather than individual historic buildings on a renewal district. The findings reveal that socio-demographics of an area, local characteristics, type of heritage buildings and the extent of urban renewal do not exert a significant influence on the composition of social factors. Several policy recommendations are also provided for urban planners and decision makers incorporating heritage conservation in urban renewal strategies.

Results:

Candidate transition variables
Through public involvement, social networks and cohesion can be developed. .
As a result, people's sense of community and of belonging is strengthened. .
Inhabitants daily social lives should be enriched and their native sense strengthened through the revitalization projects. .
Urban renewal is intended to improve the urban environment in accordance with the changing economic and social needs of the people. .
To do so, it can engender a more sustainable relationship between heritage conservation and overall planning in urban renewal..
Sense of community and cultural identity Sense of community can be defined as a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members' needs will be met through their commitment to be together. .
Moreover, feelings of attachment help inhabitants find their roots and strengthen their sense of local identity, belonging and security. .
In these cases, urban renewal and heritage conservation can compliment and support each other, resulting in the local people building new place attachments and having a sense of belonging. .
Social factors of heritage conservation The literature on conservation around the world discusses the ways that heritage conservation can contribute to the social wellbeing of people in urban renewal and regeneration districts. .
It contributes to a unique sense of place and community tradition. .
A heritage site is also a common means/ground to link people to their roots. .
Moreover, heritage building should reflect self or community identity and enrich daily social lives, thus, contributing to cultural diversity. .
First, revitalized heritage buildings can affect the behavior and attitudes of the members of the community collectively and help them form some kind of bond. .
Third, if a revitalized heritage building can retain the inhabitants' sense of ownership of place, this may contribute to improving their self-esteem. .
Finally, after revitalization, the heritage buildings should become landmarks in the districts whose own symbolic meanings arise from symbols, spirit, emotions and nostalgia of place. .
The heritage buildings can also act as platforms for exchanging diversified cultures and to foster creativity. .
As well, a heritage conservation project is considered to be socially beneficial if it can enhance social interactions and social networks in the community and is associated with collective memory, which helps to create a stronger cultural identity and sense of community. .
At the same time, a heritage conservation project should also enhance cultural diversity and engender creativity. .
With the implementation of responsive policies and the organization of community events and activities, heritage conservation can enhance social interaction and social networks, enrich collective memory and create cultural identity, cultural diversity and sense of community. .
In doing so, this new approach to heritage conservation contributes to the physical fabric and character of a surrounding environment. .
In addition, the revitalized heritage buildings can help people continue their daily social lives. .
In contrast, mutual trust between community members could be developed through a heritage conservation regime. .
In addition, better accessibility to heritage buildings could elicit better public participation. .
Cultural diversity and creativity It is claimed that acknowledging and maintaining cultural diversity can enhance quality of life. .
The survey helped to provide valuable insight into the social effects of heritage conservation in urban renewal districts. .
To begin with, it is important to provide public involvement opportunities during the heritage conservation and urban renewal process. .
Moreover, as part of the urban renewal strategy, promoting public awareness of local heritage and the preservation of traditional industries is essential for achieving more successful heritage conservation. .
Furthermore, as diversity of activities increases through revitalization projects, residents can be provided with more and different opportunities for social interaction and, hence, develop different networks. .
Through public consultation forums, workshops and exhibitions, the general public can become involved in the planning and design of urban renewal projects and the decision-making processes concerning the use of the heritage sites. .
Through the provision of opportunities for gatherings and interactions after revitalization, people can make new friends while keeping up their close relationships with their present neighbours. .
If the key social factors identified in this study are properly addressed, they can enhance the potential social benefits to the community. .
Interplay between heritage conservation and urban renewal Urban renewal involves the demolition or restoration of decayed and obsolete buildings so as to create better living environments. .
Finally, barrier-free access and amenities should be provided for people with special needs in order to enhance equal opportunities for visiting the buildings. .
The general public can access a buildings easily if there are fewer restrictions and barriers. .
It is a district with rich cultural traditions and heritage buildings. .
In addition, the revitalization of shophouses to art and creative industry has been completed by the URA in the area, which has definitely contributed to creativity in the community. .
Promote public awareness of local heritage and preserve local traditional industries This factor mainly concerns public awareness of local heritage and traditional industries. .
The following section briefly explains the social benefits of heritage conservation, which form the theoretical framework of this research study. .
Thus, revitalized heritage buildings can benefit society by acting as reminders of the history of traditional trades and businesses. .
We argue that a society should maintain different cultures with the aim to broaden its diversity of values, ideas, beliefs and traditions. .
Urban renewal is considered to be important for many reasons. .
Third, a city can be reshaped by improving urban layouts, open spaces, road networks and other infrastructures. .
Furthermore, social participation should be promoted and the public reminded that after renewal the heritage buildings are part of community property. .
Thus, public involvement should be encouraged. .
More programmes and activities should be generated after revitalization and the diversity of community life enhanced. .
It has been increasingly recognized that heritage conservation in older districts undergoing urban renewal has a significant impact on enhancing a community's sense of place, identity and development. .
Urban renewal processes now increasingly incorporate heritage conservation elements in the overall urban renewal plan. .
In this paper, these heritage places refer to monuments and historic buildings that have historical, architectural, aesthetic and social values and which reflect the living conditions and culture of the people of the cities. .
Heritage conservation can enrich people's understanding of their community (English Heritage, 2005). .
It reveals that a revitalized heritage building should be considered a landmark in the district. .
The study advocates that heritage conservation in urban renewal districts should not only address the physical fabric of the historic buildings and the surrounding environment, but also the social impact and the intangible values of a community as a whole as they are of paramount importance. .
Thus, it is important to stress the collective social impact of heritage conservation projects on the people of a district. .
Thus, the major problem lies in how a city can carry out successful renewal with a view to attaining overall urban sustainability for the future. .
Moreover, urban renewal tends to prioritize economic growth and physical improvement. .
This study aims to identify the social role of heritage conservation in urban renewal. .
First, the public concern for heritage conservation should be promoted in urban renewal through educating people and teaching them more about the local cultural and commercial history. .
Therefore, it is particularly important to have a good understanding of the underlying social factors that need to be addressed in order to enhance more sustainable heritage conservation during the process of urban renewal. .
Thus, these social factors should provide insight for urban planners and conservationists when formulating urban renewal plans for incorporating and balancing redevelopment and conservation. .
Local culture and history of city development Conservation of heritage sites can help develop the placespecific character of urban regions (Swensen, 2012) and improve the physical conditions of the environment, while maintaining and enhancing local life and culture and the uniqueness of a place (Strange & Whitney, 2003). .
Second, as landmarks, the heritage buildings should be able to promote a district's identity. .
As urban renewal districts usually contain unique local culture and history, undertaking heritage conservation projects in the districts can be even more challenging. .
Thus, this paper aims to develop a set of social evaluation factors that should be considered when assessing the social impact of conserving groups of heritage buildings in urban renewal districts. .
Another key authority involved in the conservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings is the Urban Renewal Authority (formerly the Land Development Corporation). .
The revitalized heritage buildings can reflect the economic, industrial and planning development of districts or cities of the past. .
This could be helpful in understanding how the occupants perceive and interact with the heritage buildings. .
Secondly, it is well recognized that the past and its interpretation as local history or heritage confers social benefits. .
From this, the factor, create attachment of meaning to the heritage was derived. .
A public-private partnership working mode could be beneficial to the success of a project and provide social benefits to the communities. .
In addition, rent control, incentives and subsidies for the original inhabitants and local businesses could be provided in order to prevent escalating rents and gentrification and loss of local character. .

ARTICLE - CANDIDATE TRANSITION VARIABLES

Results: