The Multi-Method Tool ‘PAST’ for Evaluating Cultural Routes in Historical Cities: Evidence from Cagliari, Italy

Abstract

<jats:p>Thematic paths are a central aspect of urban policies for cultural heritage valorization. In fact, thematic paths are central spatial features for structuring the image of a historical landscape. Hence, this study proposes the cultural paths assessment tool (PAST) as a methodological framework for individuating a network of routes connecting cultural heritage components and for assessing their usefulness. Usefulness is herein defined as the potential of a street network to support the meaningful experience of a historical urban landscape. PAST combines space syntax techniques, a geographic information system, and a qualitative analysis within a multi-criteria analysis framework for addressing four aspects of connecting cultural heritage components, including: (i) the individuation of relevant assets; (ii) the identification of the sub-network of most central street segments; (iii) the definition of the street network of thematic routes; (iv) the assessment of the usefulness of thematic paths, according to the criteria of usability, imageability, and accessibility. The proposed methodology, applied to the historical district of Marina in the city of Cagliari in Italy, supports planning and design processes in two ways: (1) by identifying street segments and squares comprising a network of thematic routes; (2) by individuating high-leverage interventions for improving the usefulness of thematic routes. Consequently, the proposed study addresses the need to establish methodologies and analytic tools that support decision making processes for conserving, managing, and valorizing historic urban landscapes.</jats:p>

Service Facilities in Heritage Tourism: Identification and Planning Based on Space Syntax

“…In addition, the boundary is set at the maximum difference position to divide the variables into seven levels [59]. A buffer zone with a 400-m radius was established for the street axis corresponding to each level of variables [11]. The buffer distance is the number of steps a pedestrian takes in 5 min under normal circumstances and fulfills tourists' cognition inconvenient travel.…”

“…The historic areas of old cities (hereafter referred to as "historic areas") are the origin of cities' histories, cultures, social development, and structures, and are the core manifestation of cultural heritage. The sustainability of the historic area is crucial to the livability, the development of tourism economy, and the social cohesion of the city [10][11][12]. Countries with established cultural backgrounds such as Italy, Germany, and Spain endeavored to develop cultural heritage and the revival of historic areas [13].…”

Supporting Children’s Independent Activities in Smart and Playable Public Places

“…Local configurational properties include connectivity [36], intersection density [22,25,26,45]. Consequently, the effect of large-scale topological properties of the urban layout on the accessibility of spaces and on patterns of natural movement, co-presence, and of sense of privacy and territoriality [46][47][48][49][50][51] are largely unexplored. In order to address the criticalities emerging from the literature review, the concepts of Children's independent activities, usefulness, capability, and affordance are presented in the sub-sequent section.…”

“…Within this area, nine public spaces are selected as units of analysis according to their relevance as places. A place is herein defined as a portion of space where meaningful representation of, and emotional connection to, settings and people are formed [51]. Consequently, in the first stage of the workshop, children were presented with a map of the city of Iglesias and asked to locate meaningful places in terms of actualized affordances.…”

“…emotional connection to, settings and people are formed [51]. Consequently, in the first stage of the workshop, children were presented with a map of the city of Iglesias and asked to locate meaningful places in terms of actualized affordances.…”