Cultural Heritage Protection and Urban Design

I travelled to Europe over the Easter break and visited towns with rich historical and cultural history, such as Rome, Florence, and Paris. I was inspired by the idea of a “urban museum” I had previously seen, therefore this essay will discuss urban design and cultural heritage preservation.

With a growing level of theoretical understanding and awareness of the nature of historical and cultural heritage, cultural heritage study and activity has changed from a concentration on individual heritage to a focus on the entire city. Mumford emphasized that cities had the personality and function like museums. Instead of focusing on form or architectural details, he claimed that cities should be handled holistically and culturally.

Challenges of Cultural Heritage Preservation in Urban Design

Cities are expanding at unprecedented rates as urban populations increase. Rapid urbanization frequently destroys historic structures, landmarks, and cultural sites. An urban designer might make the connection between “museum” and “urban design” in the context of a city rich in history and culture.

Case Study of Museum City

Different cities contain different types of cultural heritage, resulting in different types of museum cities.

Rome Developed Among Historic Sites

The ruins left behind by a city’s development always have an impact on the city’s following development. As a protected historical heritage, the architectural ruins produced during the construction, decline and revival of Rome affect the overall planning and overall appearance of the city. It gives the present metropolis the continuity and extension of historical treasures from that time period.

A city characterized by its many museums – Paris

Museums, as cultural facilities, play a vital role in connecting a city’s heritage of culture with urban life. The most significant public cultural center in Paris are the city’s numerous museums of different kinds and categories. These museums are very useful for travellers learning about Paris.

Future Development of Cultural Heritage Conservation in Urban Design

The road to cultural heritage protection is long and difficult. As an urban designer, we should pay attention to urban design from different perspectives.

Reference

[1] Kong Cenwei. Museum City. 2020. Central Academy of Fine Arts, PhD dissertation.
[2] Mumford L . The city in history : its origins, its transformations, and its prospects[J]. Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 1961, 67(1):5.
[3] Wu Hung. The Story of the Ruins [M]. Shanghai People’s Publishing House, 2012.