Unpacking the Dynamics of Urban Transformation in Heritage Places through ‘Critical System Dynamics’: The Case of Beresford Square, Woolwich

Kalliopi Fouseki (), Lorika Hisari, Xinqiao Dong, Chiara Bonacchi, Elizabeth Robson, Elisa Broccoli, Torgrim Sneve Guttormsen, Michele Nucciotti and Sharon Shieh
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Kalliopi Fouseki: Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London, London WC1H 9BT, UK
Lorika Hisari: Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London, London WC1H 9BT, UK
Xinqiao Dong: Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London, London WC1H 9BT, UK
Chiara Bonacchi: School of History, Classics and Archaeology and Edinburgh Futures Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK
Elizabeth Robson: Division of History, Heritage and Politics, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Elisa Broccoli: Dipartimento di Storia, Archeologia, Geografia, Arte e Spettacolo, Università di Firenze, 50121 Firenze, Italy
Torgrim Sneve Guttormsen: Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research, Department of Heritage and Society, 0154 Oslo, Norway
Michele Nucciotti: Dipartimento di Storia, Archeologia, Geografia, Arte e Spettacolo, Università di Firenze, 50121 Firenze, Italy
Sharon Shieh: Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London, London WC1H 9BT, UK

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: Rapidly growing research in urban heritage studies highlights the significance of incorporating participatory approaches in urban transformation projects. And yet, participation tends to be limited, including only certain segments of the population. It is also acknowledged that cities are ‘dynamic’ and ‘complex’ systems. However, there is extremely limited research that captures the dynamic transformation mechanisms in historic urban environments. This paper aims to illustrate a novel, mixed-method and dynamic approach to unfold the dynamics of urban heritage areas. We do so by focusing on the historic area of Woolwich, a South-East suburb in London, UK. To do so, we apply ‘critical system dynamics’ for the analysis of a mixed dataset which incorporates architectural surveys, interviews, online surveys, social media data and visual observations of material change through light archaeology. Within the framework of ‘deep cities’, the article argues that the transformation of a place is a complex process that can be captured not only based on ‘what we see’ but also on ‘what we cannot see’. In other words, the invisible (values, emotions, and senses) is as significant as the visible. This is of paramount importance as most urban planning policies tend to be based on material, visible remains and less on the spirit or soul of a place.

Keywords: urban heritage; urban regeneration; critical system dynamics; urban heritage transformation; urban dynamics; deep cities; participation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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