Urban Planning by Preserving Spatial Memories

On the 6th of February 2023, two big and devastating earthquakes (7.8 Mw and 7.2 Mw) by epicentre of Kahramanmaraş (a southern city) hit the Türkiye in a day. Impacts of earthquakes have been felt by 10 cities and so, 14 million people were directly affected. Government indicated that 50.000 of people, unfortunately, died so far and other thousands of survived as wounded. Few of cities almost destroyed and some neighbourhoods fully destroyed. Thousands of people needed to move to other cities and now they are waiting for rebuilding of the cities and neighbourhoods.

By this article, I want to remark the importance of spatial memories in urban areas and why urban planners should care about them in cities because people just did not lose their families, relatives, neighbours and also, they lost memories in places they grew, studied, loved, played, and dreamed. Besides, almost all cities are being affected by the pace of change, urbanisation and globalisation which also led to demolish the memories in places. Thus, caring about spatial memories and preserving them in planning, designing and building process is vital for people living in these cities to not lose their connections with their living areas and neighbourhoods. Furthermore, those affected cities in Türkiye are also historical areas coming from ages ago and they were acting like a bridge between the history and nowadays which carries cultural heritage, traditions, urban habits, emotions and also memories. This is not only valid for those affected cities but also most cities in the World since people have been living there for years and years. For this reason, urban planners must consider preserving spatial memories during urban planning process in all times and all cities. But what does the spatial memories mean? What are the challenges for urban planners? And what are the benefits of preserving spatial memories in cities? In this article, I provide further explanation for these questions.

Spatial memories are the mental representations we have of the places we know and have experienced. They can include both the physical characteristics of a space, such as its layout and architectural features, as well as the emotional and cultural significance it holds for us and our community. In urban planning, keeping spatial memories is important since they are closely tied to our personal and communal sense of identity and belonging. Firstly, Pierre Nora, in 1989, coined the concept of place of memory (Les Lieux de Memoire) to designate those artifacts that where collective memory crystallizes and secretes itself (Nora, 1989). The concept, which was created to analyse the French memory, soon became involved in discussions about the advisability of applying it to other countries since memories of places means also considering the existing spatial structures and patterns of a place and incorporating them into the design of new developments and interventions in the urban and sub-urban areas.

In the further paragraphs, I will explore the role of lieux de memoire (Nora, 1989) in urban planning and argue that the preservation of these memories should be a central consideration in the design and development of cities. I will begin by discussing the concept of spatial memory and its importance to individuals and communities. I will then examine what are challenges planners are facing regarding to protect memories of spaces and how urban planners can design urban plans by preserving spatial memories in cities. Finally, I will indicate impacts of preserving spatial memories in urban planning and discuss the potential benefits of such an approach.

The places we know and have fond memories of are often closely associated with our personal and cultural histories. For example, a favourite childhood playground or a family-owned business may hold special significance for us, even if it is no longer in use. By preserving these places, we can maintain a connection to our past and to the communities we are a part of. Besides, the preservation of spatial memories can help to foster a sense of community and social cohesion. When people have shared experiences and memories of a particular place, it can create a sense of belonging and connection among them (Javier, 2020). As an example, a community garden that has been in a neighbourhood for many years may serve as a gathering place for residents, who may have fond memories of planting and harvesting their own produce there. By preserving such spaces, urban planners can help to foster a sense of community and social connection.

The preservation of spatial memories can also help to support local economies. Many of the places that hold special significance for us are often also home to small businesses and other local enterprises. For example, a family-owned restaurant or a small shop may hold special meaning for us, not only because of the personal connections we have to it, but also because it is an important part of the local economy. By preserving these spaces, urban planners can help to support even local businesses and economic vitality.

However, the rapid pace of urban development often leads to the destruction of familiar landmarks and spaces, eroding the spatial memories of city residents (Vaz, Cabral, Caetano, Nijkamp, & Painho, 2012). This can have detrimental effects on the psychological well-being of individuals, as well as on the social fabric and cultural heritage of a city.

Therefore, urban planners must take steps to preserve spatial memories in their planning processes. This can be done through a variety of strategies, including the conservation of historic buildings and landmarks, the creation of public spaces that facilitate social interaction and the formation of spatial memories, and the incorporation of local cultural elements into the design of new developments. (European Commission, 2022)

To illustrate the significance of incorporating people's memories of places into the urban planning process, it is useful to consider the example of the city of Barcelona. In the 1980s, the city underwent a major period of redevelopment and construction, with the goal of modernizing and revitalizing the city's economy (Monclus, 2003). However, this process also led to the destruction of many neighbourhoods with deep historical and cultural significance, and the displacement of long-time residents.

In response to these changes, a group of activists and community members formed a group with the goal of preserving and protecting the city's cultural heritage. Through their efforts, they were able to secure the designation of several neighbourhoods as protected historical sites, and to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the city's cultural identity. The work they did demonstrates the potential impact of people's memories of places on urban planning and development. By recognizing the value of these memories and incorporating them into the decision-making process, cities can create more inclusive and meaningful urban spaces that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of their residents.

Another example of effective spatial memory preservation is the Case del Quartiere program in Turin, Italy. This program seeks to revitalize disadvantaged neighbourhoods by involving residents in the decision-making process and incorporating their memories and experiences into the design of the area. This has led to the creation of public spaces that are meaningful to the community and has helped to preserve the cultural identity of the neighbourhood (Ozasa & Komatsu, 2017). (also look for more: https://encc.eu/network/members/rete-delle-case-del-quartiere)

Which challenges are planners facing in terms of spatial memories with?

In recent years, the role of memory in shaping people's experiences of urban environments has gained increasing attention among urban planners and researchers. This is because memories of places can have a powerful impact on how people perceive and navigate a city, and can influence their decisions about where to live, work, and spend their time. As such, it is important for urban planners to consider the role of memory in the design and planning of cities. On the other side, there are some challenges for this concept while engaging local communities in the planning process, incorporating cultural and historical elements into the built environment, and designing spaces that encourage social interaction and connection.

One of the key challenges in preserving spatial memories in urban planning is the rapid pace of change and development in many cities. Urbanization and globalization have led to the fast transformation of urban landscapes, often at the expense of local communities and their spatial memories. As cities grow and develop, older buildings and spaces are often demolished or replaced with new developments. This can lead to the loss of important spatial memories and can create a disconnect between the past and the present. In these cases, it is important for urban planners to balance the need for progress and development with the need for preserving the cultural and emotional connections that individuals have to their urban spaces. To address this challenge, urban planners must find ways to balance the need for growth and development with the need to preserve spatial memories. This can be done through careful planning and the use of adaptive reuse strategies, which involve the repurposing of existing buildings and spaces for new uses. This can help to preserve the physical and spatial memories of a place, while also allowing for growth and development.

Another challenge is the increasing diversity of urban populations. As cities become more diverse, it is getting difficult to preserve spatial memories that are relevant and meaningful to all members of the community. In these situations, urban planners must take a holistic and inclusive approach to planning and consider the needs and values of all members of the community. This can involve the use of participatory design processes and the incorporation of multiple perspectives and experiences into the planning process. As an example, to face with this challenge, urban planners can work with schools and educational institutions to incorporate the preservation of spatial memories into their curriculum. This should involve incorporating local history and culture into lesson plans and providing students with opportunities to learn about and engage with their community. This will help to foster a sense of connection and attachment to the places they live and can support the preservation of spatial memories over time.

How planners preserve memories of places in urban planning?

Since enabling memories to live in their places by connected with citizens is important to increase the happiness in the cities, urban planners are looking for ways on how they can protect the memories of places during the planning process. I believe that one way to preserve spatial memory in urban planning is by using a bottom-up approach that involves the participation of local communities in the planning process. This approach recognizes the inherent knowledge and experiences of the people who live and work in a particular area, and it seeks to incorporate their perspectives and values into the planning decisions. This can be done through various methods, such as public workshops, surveys, and mapping exercises, which can help to identify the unique characteristics and needs of a place, and to develop strategies that reflect the community's vision and priorities.

The other way is that urban planners can incorporate elements of local history and culture into their designs. This can be done by public art, historic displays, and other visual or interactive elements that help to tell the story of the area. This can provide a sense of place and context for residents and visitors and can help to foster a sense of pride and connection to the community.

Another way to preserve spatial memory in urban planning is by using a holistic and integrated approach that considers the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of a place. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of different systems and factors that shape a city, and it seeks to develop solutions that are sustainable and equitable. For example, urban planners can integrate green infrastructure, such as parks, gardens, and green roofs, into the design of new developments, to enhance the natural environment, improve air and water quality, and provide recreational and social opportunities for the community.

Preserving spatial memory in urban planning can also involve the conservation and restoration of existing buildings and spaces that have historical, cultural, or architectural significance. This can be done through various means, such as heritage designation, adaptive reuse, and conservation easements, which can protect and preserve the character and identity of a place and prevent the loss of valuable cultural assets. Besides, the implementation of policies that prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage is an essential part of urban planning by preserving people's memories of places. These policies can include measures such as the designation of historic districts, the creation of heritage conservation plans, and the development of regulations to protect important cultural sites and landmarks. By implementing these policies, cities can ensure that the cultural heritage and memories of a place are preserved for future generations.

What benefits can be created by preserving spatial memories in urban planning?

One of the key benefits of preserving spatial memories in urban planning is the positive impact it can have on the social and psychological well-being of individuals and communities. When people are surrounded by spaces that are familiar and connected to their personal experiences, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and attachment to their community (Scannell & Gifford, 2017). This can help to foster a sense of social cohesion and support and can contribute to overall mental health and well-being.

Additionally, it can help to create a sense of place and identity for communities. When people are surrounded by spaces that reflect the history, culture, and values of their community, they are more likely to feel a sense of pride and connection to their surroundings. This can help to foster a sense of community identity and belonging and can contribute to overall social and economic stability.

Furthermore, the preservation of spatial memories can support the sustainability of urban environments. When people have a sense of attachment and connection to their surroundings, they are more likely to take care of and invest in these spaces. (Scannel & Gifford, 2014) This can help to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility and can lead to the creation of more vibrant and sustainable cities.

As a conclusion, the study of urban planning should consider the importance of people's memories of places. These memories, often deeply personal and emotional, can have a significant impact on individuals' relationships to their surroundings and the city. By recognizing and incorporating the role of memory in the planning process, cities can create more inclusive and meaningful spaces for their residents.

In order to effectively preserve spatial memories in urban planning, it is important for urban planners to have a clear understanding of the needs and values of the community they are serving since the preservation of spatial memories is a crucial part of urban planning. These memories are an integral part of our collective identity, and they help to shape the way we experience the world around us.

By considering the protection of memories of places during urban planning process, urban planners can create spaces that are more meaningful and connected to the people who use them, help to foster a sense of belonging and community and can support the creation of vibrant and sustainable cities, engage with the voices of marginalized communities, as well as considering the unique needs and perspectives of different groups within the city. All these will create a liveable and loveable environment for all groups of cities.

As a note: If you are interesting in this topic, I recommend you to follow Mekanda Adalet Derneği (Center for Spatial Justice) which works for fairer, ecological, and democratic cities and rural spaces. Also, they produce, collect and share innovative, qualified, and public knowledge through transdisciplinary studies.

References

European Commission. (2022). THE CITIZEN’S CITY. Retrieved from European Commission Urban Data Platform Plus: https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thefutureofcities/the-citizens-city#the-chapter

Javier, E. R. (2020). Place Attachment, Feeling of Belonging and Collective Identity in Socio-Ecological Systems: Study Case of Pegalajar (Andalusia-Spain). Sustainability, 1-22. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083388

Monclus, F. J. (2003). The Barcelona model: and an original formula? From ‘reconstruction’ to strategic urban projects (1979–2004). Planning Perspectives, pp. 399-421.

Nora, P. (1989, April 1). Between Memory and History: Les Lieux de Mémoire. Special Issue: Memory and Counter-Memory, pp. 7-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/2928520

Ozasa, T., & Komatsu, H. (2017). CREAITIVE PROGRAM OF MULTI-FUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY HUB: Case of “Casa del Quartiere” in Turin. Journal of Architecture and Planning (Transactions of AIJ), 1649-1659. doi: https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.82.1649

Scannel, L., & Gifford, R. (2014). The psychology of place attachment. In Environmental Psychology: Principles and Practice (pp. 273-300). Optimal Books.

Scannell, L., & Gifford, R. (2017). The experienced psychological benefits of place attachment. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 256-269. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.04.001

Vaz, E. d., Cabral, P., Caetano, M., Nijkamp, P., & Painho, M. (2012). Urban heritage endangerment at the interface of future cities and past heritage: A spatial vulnerability assessment,. Habitat International, pp. 287-294. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2011.10.007.