AN AESTHETIC FRAMEWORK FOR HISTORIC URBAN LANDSCAPE

Ref.: 215
Key theme: 03 Visual integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 28/10/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

GHOSH, Santosh K * (India) - Centre for Built Environment

ABSTRACT

1. Introduction
Historic landscape, over long periods of history contains both built and open spaces. Intangible aspects are associated with this and cultural experessions and practices are often interwoven with tangible aspects, architecture and city planning. When historic landscape becomes heritage sites, it may bring tourism. Tourism facilities associated infrastructure and urban growth damage the visual integrity integrity. In this process urban landscape often declines. Urban conservation is now a border, concept and an essential in sustainable city. (Ghosh, 1996)

2. Aesthetic aspects
The visual forms must be considered as basic means of understanding the environment. Long ago Camillo Sitte wrote that city planning should be an artistic enterprise also (Sitte, 1965). Order and beauty are prerequisite and there is interrelationship of aesthetic with other sciences in any creation. Many architects and urban designers have studied the visual aspects of the city in 1950s and 1960s, The conceptual transition of cities from city beautiful, city healthful to the city functional required the need for city beautiful.

But it was not always possible due to rapid urbanisation but cultural heritage and development can go together (Logan, 2002). Aesthetic framework in urban development needed in the together with environment- ecological framework, in the context of climate change which is a new challenge. The Unesco has also emphasized this (WHC, 2008).

From various visual surveys and studies, eight major elements can be selected. The criteria for selection of the elements were (a) the level of generality (b) inclusion of major areas of concern (c) easy communication to the people (d) balance between abstract principle and action programme, and (e) stability over time. The eight major elements are : Form, space, surface, colour and light, unity and continuity, expression and time. (Ghosh, 1989).

In the visual survey of heritage urban landscape, some points can be given on different subelements and it is possible to identify protected ­ conservation area, buffer zone or transition zones. (Kolkata (Calcutta) in India has been taken as a case study.

3. Applicability
The metamorphosis in cities and blending of old and new can only be possible within an urban design plan, San Francisco is one of first cities to prepare such urban design plan. The plan emphsized visual qualities, streetscape and openspace, building form etc. (DCP, 1971).

Example from a study in Jerusalem can be given. Jerusalem is a city of panorama and visual harmony. Its landscape and skylines are unique. It was mentioned how this visual harmony was destroyed by development faraway (Kutcher, 1977). Some cities have adopted building rules ­ architectural control such as fez (Cernia, 2001). Sydney is an example where regulations control new development adjacent to heritage area or historic buildings (CC, Sydney, 1991). There are other examples. Some of ideas can be applied in Kolkata urban design plan.

4. Conclusion
Historic Urban laandscape should be part of a holistic and integrated sustainable city plan. An aesthetic framework with visual survey enhance the city's quality.

REFERENCES

Cernia, Michael M, 2001. `At the cutting age : cultural patrimony protection through development projects' in Ismail Seregeldin et al., edited, Historic cities and sacred sities. The world Bank, Washington DC.
DCP, Dept of city planning, San Francisco, 1971. `The urban design plan for the comprehensive plan of San Francisco', San Francisco.
Ghosh, Santosh, 1989. `Urban design plan for Calcutta Metropolitan Area'. State Planning Broad, Calcutta.
Ghosh, Santosh 1996. `Urban conservation. ­ A blue print for action' in Santosh Ghosh, edited `Architectural and Urban conservation' Centre for Built Environment, Calcutta.
Kutcher, Arthur, (1975). The new Jerusalem ­ planning and politics Canbridge, MIT Press.
Logan, William S, 2002. `The Disappearing Asian city' Introduction, Oxford University, Press, Honkong.
SCC, Sydney City Council, 1980. `Conservation of Environmental Heritage'. Aspect of Environmental Planning Assessment Act, 1979. Sydney.
Sitte, Camillo, 1965. `City planning According to Artistic principles', Random house, Reprinted Introduction.
World Heritage Centre (HC), 2008. `Impact of climate change on World Heritage properties', Unesco, Paris.