REGISTRO DOI: 10.69849/revistaft/ch10202101200839
Carlos Eduardo Campos de Oliveira
Abstract
The revitalization of historic urban centers is crucial for preserving the cultural and architectural heritage of cities, while also meeting the contemporary needs of their residents. An essential strategy to achieve these goals is the integration of leisure spaces, such as urban parks, which not only promote social interaction and the well-being of inhabitants but also act as catalysts for the social and economic regeneration of historic areas. These spaces make urban centers more accessible and attractive, improving the quality of life and offering environmental benefits such as reducing the urban heat island effect and increasing biodiversity.
Additionally, recent studies highlight the growing importance of leisure amenities for population growth, attracting skilled professionals, and enhancing property values. Creating pleasant urban environments with leisure infrastructure is considered fundamental for the sustainable development of cities. However, economic growth brings challenges, such as gentrification and the displacement of minority communities, pointing to the need for public policies that ensure social inclusion and preserve the cultural character of revitalized areas. In conclusion, the combination of renovated housing and revitalized leisure spaces can be the key to attracting new residents, strengthening local communities, and preserving historical heritage. The lessons drawn from the discussed research provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers, who must seek a balance between modernization, sustainability, and cultural preservation, creating dynamic and resilient urban environments for future generations.
Keywords: Urban Revitalization, Cultural Heritage, Leisure Spaces, Gentrification, Urban Sustainability.
The revitalization of urban historic centers is a crucial undertaking aimed at preserving the cultural and architectural heritage of cities, while simultaneously addressing the evolving needs of their residents. One of the most significant challenges in this process is attracting new inhabitants to these areas, which are often neglected due to outdated infrastructure, high maintenance costs, or poor living conditions. Nevertheless, the inclusion of leisure spaces, particularly urban parks, can play a pivotal role in drawing residents and reinforcing the connection between the community and its historical heritage.
Urban parks, in addition to offering green spaces that enhance residents’ quality of life, possess the potential to reinvigorate historic neighborhoods. By creating social and recreational spaces, parks foster community interaction and encourage residents to stay and engage with their surroundings. When designed with modern amenities and in harmony with the area’s historical context, these parks not only safeguard the local culture but also bring new social and economic functions to urban centers. These parks act as gathering points for diverse groups, fostering connections between old and new residents while linking them to the city’s history.
Figure 1: New green spaces do not need to lead to gentrification.
Source: ArchDaily Brasil.
Moreover, urban parks contribute to environmental sustainability by mitigating the urban heat island effect, enhancing air quality, and boosting biodiversity. These factors make historic districts more livable and appealing. Parks, when integrated into the fabric of historic urban landscapes, not only improve residents’ well-being but also strengthen the sense of belonging within the community. Thus, parks and recreational spaces serve as vital elements of urban revitalization, sparking the regeneration of historic areas and making them more accessible and attractive to newcomers.
In areas undergoing urban revitalization, parks serve as key drivers of sustainable and social development, helping residents form a deeper connection to the city’s history and culture while fostering a more resilient and modern urban environment. Therefore, the combination of renovated housing and revitalized leisure spaces holds the potential to attract new residents to historic urban districts, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage while fostering dynamic, cohesive communities.
Research by Carlino and Saiz (2008) sheds light on the growing recognition of leisure amenities as crucial elements for attracting skilled populations and their employers to urban areas. While previous studies provided indirect evidence of their importance, this study validates their role by measuring the frequency of leisure trips to metropolitan areas. The results revealed that cities with more leisure visits saw a 2 percent higher population and employment growth in the 1990s. Additionally, cities with attractive aesthetics, or “beautiful cities,” were particularly appealing to highly educated individuals and experienced faster housing price increases, especially in markets with limited housing supply. The study also highlights that investment in new public recreational areas can increase a city’s appeal. However, it also points to the risk of economic growth driving the displacement of minority communities, particularly in areas close to recreational districts.
The study by Johnson, Glover, and Stewart (2014) focuses on the role of everyday leisure in urban revitalization, especially in downtown areas. It emphasizes that many urban centers, particularly in North America, have suffered from the detrimental effects of suburbanization and urban sprawl, leading to the decline of older city centers. Urban revitalization offers strategies to reverse this decline, and the research conducted in Kitchener, Ontario, reveals that parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities are essential to the success of these efforts. The study highlights that social interactions, facilitated by these spaces, are central to place-making and revitalization. It critiques the trend of prioritizing large, impersonal leisure spaces, advocating instead for environments that encourage community interaction and reflect the local identity. This approach is seen as critical for overcoming urban decay and fostering spaces that support everyday leisure activities.
Davoodi and Dağlı (2019) investigate the challenges faced by historic urban quarters in the context of planned modernization. Often, these areas are neglected, leading to the displacement of residents and dissatisfaction with their living conditions. Their study emphasizes the lack of research on comprehensive evaluation frameworks that assess the environmental, economic, social, and cultural factors influencing residential satisfaction in historic districts. Conducted in the Walled City of Famagusta, Cyprus, the research identifies key factors affecting satisfaction, such as housing costs and management practices. The study underscores the importance of understanding these factors for the sustainable regeneration of historic areas, offering valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers seeking to balance modernization with the preservation of cultural heritage.
Ahn, Shin, and Lee (2007) examine the leisure facilities available in multi-family housing properties in Seoul. Their study reveals that although the apartment complexes comply with regulations by offering basic amenities such as playgrounds and senior centers, the availability of exercise facilities, green spaces, and community parks varies. Satisfaction with these leisure amenities was higher in newer complexes, while older ones faced dissatisfaction due to a lack of desired facilities. The study emphasizes the importance of providing diverse and well-maintained leisure spaces to meet residents’ needs and enhance their overall satisfaction in urban environments.
Hwa-Kyung and Suk-Kyoung (2005) explore the design of leisure facilities in apartment communities in Korea. The study focuses on 126 apartment complexes and identifies 30 types of leisure facilities, highlighting the need for architectural interventions and maintenance to support diverse leisure activities. The research stresses the significance of well-designed leisure spaces and programs to create engaging and dynamic living environments that foster social interaction and improve residents’ quality of life.
Finally, Ravenscroft, Reeves, and Rowley (2000) investigate the role of leisure enterprises in town centers, particularly those associated with the evening economy. Their study suggests that the proliferation of leisure businesses may not necessarily indicate a strengthening of urban areas, especially in smaller towns. These businesses tend to occupy vacant spaces left by other sectors, signaling a delay in the economic restructuring of these areas. The authors argue that while leisure enterprises play a role in revitalization, they may only offer temporary solutions to deeper economic challenges.
In conclusion, the revitalization of historic urban centers plays a key role in preserving the cultural and architectural heritage of cities, while also meeting the contemporary needs of their inhabitants. The integration of leisure spaces, such as urban parks, emerges as a crucial strategy to attract new residents, promote social interaction, and strengthen the community’s connection to local history. These spaces not only offer environmental benefits and improved quality of life but also act as catalysts for social and economic regeneration, revitalizing historic areas and making them more accessible and attractive.
Moreover, the research discussed highlights the importance of leisure amenities as a determining factor for population growth and the attraction of skilled professionals, reinforcing the idea that creating pleasant urban environments with leisure infrastructure is essential for the sustainable development of urban areas. However, it is also necessary to consider the challenges that come with economic growth, such as potential gentrification and the displacement of minority communities, which underscores the need for public policies that ensure social inclusion and the preservation of the cultural character of revitalized areas.
Therefore, the combination of renovated housing and revitalized leisure spaces may be the key to attracting new residents, strengthening local communities, and preserving historical heritage. The lessons drawn from the analyzed studies provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers, who must seek a balance between modernization, sustainability, and the maintenance of cultural identity, creating dynamic, cohesive, and resilient urban environments for future generations.
References
Ahn, J. H., Shin, H. K., & Lee, J. M. (2007). A Study on the Residents’ Needs for Leisure Facilities in Multifamily Housing Properties.
Carlino, G., & Saiz, A. (2008). Beautiful City: Leisure Amenities and Urban Growth. ERN: Urban Economics & Public Policy (Topic). https://doi.org/10.21799/frbp.wp.2019.16.
Davoodi, T., & Dağlı, U. (2019). Exploring the Determinants of Residential Satisfaction in Historic Urban Quarters: Towards Sustainability of the Walled City Famagusta, North Cyprus. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226261.
Hwa-Kyung, S. (2005). Current status and features of leisure facilities in american multi-family housing properties. Journal of the Korean housing association, 16(1), 81-88.
Johnson, A., Glover, T., & Stewart, W. (2014). Attracting locals downtown: everyday leisure as a place-making initiative. Journal of park and recreation administration, 32.
Ravenscroft, N., Reeves, J., & Rowley, M. (2000). Leisure, Property, and the Viability of Town Centres. Environment and Planning A, 32, 1359 – 1374. https://doi.org/10.1068/a32221.