World heritage cities : peripheral urban development

Abstract

Heritage cities are dynamic entities, continuously threatened by industrial development and urbanization. The modernizing of cities, the introduction of road infrastructure, to make way for the private car, and the construction of urban peripheral development have all contributed to the deterioration of the cities' authenticity and integrity. Through the adequate management of the cities' cultural heritage assets, these key elements can be safeguarded to retain the historic centre's outstanding universal significance, which leads to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage city. This study aims at analyzing the actual impact that urban peripheral developments have on World Heritage cities. It will look into issues pertaining to the development of the historic cities' skyline, the status of the cities' authenticity and integrity, in relation also to existing management strategies aimed at enhancing their preservation. A set of indicators to establish the adequacy of the cities' authenticity, integrity and universal significance will be proposed, and will be implemented and discussed in more detail through the assessment of an actual World Heritage city, Valletta. The study will conclude by proposing possible solutions to the existing problems concerning the local case-study, with an aim at serving as an eye-opener to managers of World Heritage cities to existing or foreseeable threats, and to possible negative effects which urban development may have on "their cities".