Geddes’s Conservation Surgery in Edinburgh, UK

“Heritage conservation” and “Urban Conservation” ?Conservation : “ The Process of Protecting the Cultural Representation of the past”

Heritage Conservation :

Process of protecting the heritage properties, old building, monuments and structures which represent a significant part of the human history.

It has strong connection through time and space

The Historic Urban Landscape approach suggests that intelligent planning of the larger urban area starts with understanding the evolution of the historic urban landscape at this larger scale, and then seeing the current city as a depositing of many layers over time into that setting. In every case, the history needs to be made known and multiple layers need to be revealed and celebrated.

Urban Conservation

Protect integrity of the urban fabric and the urban landscape in an historic context.

“the purpose of a Conservation Area is to preserve the character and atmosphere of the area and good building or groups of building within it” Report on mound/Lawnmarket conservation Are, University of Edinburgh

Sir Patrick Geddes (1854-1932 )

Sir Patrick Geddes was a British Town Planner, biologist, Sociology, landscape designer and urban thinker.

He introduced the concepts ; 1. URBAN CONSERVATION

2. CONURBATION

Urban Conservation of Patrick Geddes

Scale of approach Holistic Conserve built heritage as part of boarder vision of ‘civic evolution’

Planning Approach – Conservative Surgery: “take into account the existing physical, social, symbolic landscape of a place in order to allow its most favorable future development “

Patrick Geddes’ Evolution of City

“Evolution is a process of adapting over time to respond to the needs of the time” – Charles Darwin

Stone Age

Paleolithic Age

Neolithic Age

INDUSTRIAL AGE 1.Paleotechinc Age (Kakotopia)

• Invention of machines• Railway & Market• Manufactures• Optimized resource use

Crowded & dull Industrial Town

* Coalfield conurbation

* Modern mining town

* Pseudo cities Slum Character

Consequences:a. in wasting of energiesb. in decline of life standTrade Competition

Nature CompetitionWar Competition

1.Neotechnic Age (Eutopia) – Neotechnic City

To competitor the past glories of history;

• Carefully economization of national resources• Planting Trees• Housing building• Town planning & city designing• Demand & create noble streets of noble house, gardens & parks

• Rapidly accumulate both Civic & Individual wealth• Rational use of resources – better use • bettering of man and his environment together

Cultural City Garden City

Neotechnic City- EUtopia

Paleotechnic Characters

Therefore……………….Town Planner Should Conserve the evolutionary process of a city to enable of civic evolution

Planner consider: What is the difference between them? Why they are seen to be needed?

Community needs : aesthetic ? religious ? civic ? historical ? economic ? political ?

Way of the Neotechnic City………………

Geddes’s Conservation Surgery in Edinburgh, UK

Planning approach :

The Cleansing of the City ;

1.Water Supply area protection- mountain area2. Leaving unbuilt rustic area between;

* To growing together* Placing schools, Play grounds, gardens

etc.3. Removing slums4. Creation of open space5.Demolishing of unnecessary mews (private garages, stores,etc) small workshops, etc. 7. Formation of garden - courts 8. Value of opportunities of activity for youth, and for citizenship : civic volunteering

1. Tools : Camera, measuring tools2. Exploring city - outlook tower 3. Compiler record – Permanent and temporary elements - static and the fluid - people and places4. Sort and classify: 1. examination and criticism of the

material 11. selection – distinguishing the

essential from the unessential 111. drowning conclusion from the

selection

Methodology

Eutopian vision - mixed community

Superstructure:

Folk ,working and Play together in harmony

Contain in the concept

Culture

Education

Spirit

ual

Place

:

Now ?

Climate changes

Environmental Problems; air pollution, Flood and Solid waste disposal issues

Health risks; heat stress and the spread of topical disease (Malaria, Dengue)

Singapore in practice - URD

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