3PRINCIPLES/E

Concept of the Conservation of Urban Historic Heritage

Architectural renovations that are being carried out in cities today are often done for economic reasons, disregarding the historic value or significance of architecture within the urban landscape. We must not allow such a trend to go unchecked. In addition to the functional role of architecture, the exterior of buildings has a great role to play in the public urban landscape. There are not a few buildings that exhibit well the atmosphere and technologies of the times in which they were built. From the point of view of future policies for urban environment and culture, it is important to give due consideration to such architecture which can become "urban landmarks" so that they may serve as keys to urban development carried out by the people.

When there is some historic heritage in a town, it functions as a strong tie that binds the residents to their town. Although they are not ordinarily aware of such urban landmarks, once they do become aware, they find new discoveries everywhere and become more fond of and proud of their town. In that sense, historic heritage is important as a source of energy for the residents in activating and enriching their daily life and in developing their town. Of course, contemporary architecture is also an important factor in the formation of urban landscape and as time passes, in 20 or 30 years, it too will become the tie that binds; some buildings may even take on special meanings for the people and thus become "urban landmarks."

What qualities must there be for architecture to remain? We have pointed out that five factors are necessary: convenience, familiarity, monumentality, artistry and rarity. Greater the value of these five factors, greater the possibility for architecture to remain. However, from the point of view of preserving historic heritage within the context of a city inhabited by local residents, we must also take into account livability, cleanliness and visible value of the housing and urban environment when making plans for preservation.

Masaru MAENO