A framework for architects' role in attaining sustainable community development in heritage areas

Abstract

Heritage areas fall under many urban pressures, due to the disparity between its old physical structures and their inhabitants’ needs. However, heritage assets represent the main potential for such areas to achieve urban development. Architects play a pivotal role in materializing these potentials, through their role and practices, which serve as the cornerstone of the development process. This paper outlines a framework for architects’ intervention, in order to attain the prospects and improvements of a sustainable community development, and achieve the goals of revitalization in heritage areas.To achieve its goals, this paper investigates three aspects of architect's intervention in heritage areas: Physical, Economic and Social Revitalization. In addition to these aspects, the framework covers the practices and indicators followed by architects to achieve sustainable community development. Finally, the applicability of this framework is investigated using the outcomes of the heritage conservation and community development project initiated by “Friends of Historical and Public Gardens Society” (FHPGS) in (Al-Darb Al-Ahmar district, Historic Cairo). Keywords: Sustainable community development, Heritage, FHPGS, Architects’ practices, Al-Darb AL-Ahmar, Framework