URBAN LANDSCAPE AS PALIMPSEST

Abstract

The current urban morphology and the identity building of the city construction can be designed as a palimpsest; the spatial development stages of urban systems represent the result of their evolution over time. The characteristics of urban palimpsest depend mainly on the emergent factors that influenced the territorial dynamics and the configuration of urban bodies. Urban life and its quality are directly influenced by spatial and temporal factors of the city evolution. For this reason the study aims to achieve a research to explain the concept of urban palimpsest and the current morphology of urban tissue because they are products of landscape transformations along the history. The current knowledge on urban palimpsest characteristics is very important and useful to plan the current and future evolution of urban systems. The case study presents a vast view on the history of spatial development and urban system as well as a dynamics of the landscape interconditioned by the elements of such development in the context of reference historical eras. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Headnote

Abstract. The current urban morphology and the identity building of the city construction can be designed as a palimpsest; the spatial development stages of urban systems represent the result of their evolution over time. The characteristics of urban palimpsest depend mainly on the emergent factors that influenced the territorial dynamics and the configuration of urban bodies. Urban life and its quality are directly influenced by spatial and temporal factors of the city evolution. For this reason the study aims to achieve a research to explain the concept of urban palimpsest and the current morphology of urban tissue because they are products of landscape transformations along the history. The current knowledge on urban palimpsest characteristics is very important and useful to plan the current and future evolution of urban systems. The case study presents a vast view on the history of spatial development and urban system as well as a dynamics of the landscape interconditioned by the elements of such development in the context of reference historical eras.

Ke y wor ds: landscape dynamics, urban image, loca l identity, spatial development, historical heritage.

1. Introduction

Cities are entities that can change permanently their appearances and their components and its can acquire new senses and functions (Kostof, 1991; Lynch, 1981; Crang, 1996; Khirfan, 2010). Holling and Orians (1971), Martin and Warner (1997), Crow et al., 2006, say that cities are "cities, with their highly structured landscapes and defining spatial characteristics, are logical places to explore the relationship between people and nature".

The urban landscape can be conceived as a palimpsest comprising identity elements specific of each historical eras, genuine heritage that transform this inheritance in urban system heritage. (AlSayyad, 2001; Graburn, 2001).

By using the palimpsest concept; it is suppose that a new urban layer is superpose on the previous one. The urban palimpsest, by analogy, emphasize the historical remnants (memorial traces), rituals, local traditions, folklore and another forms of built heritage (Nuryanti, 1996).

The process of urbanization leads to a deep change of natural landscapes; the territorial process impact in various ways the structure, function and dynamics of the urban systems. Irrespective of way the city was formed, its spatial pattern influences the internal, external, physical, socio- economic and ecological processes (Luck et al., 2002).

The approaches of local actors to built heritage preservation and value enhancing should take account of the concept of palimpsest and its applicability; it should also convey the esthetical, historical, scientific, social and spiritual values of heritage to past, present and future generations (Feilden and Jokilehto, 1998; Tyler, 2000; Pendlebury, 2009).

The past, present and f uture heritage transforms the urban landscape into a product that belongs to the historical, political, economical and social factors. Nowadays, cities with a special history, such as Dej City, are confronted with the challenge to preserve their local history and identity (Norberg-Schultz, 1991; Larkham, 1996; Tiesdell et al., 1996; Pendlebury, 2009).

Turistification of the historical cities should be the main concern of the local actors (Jansen-Verbeke, 1998).

Any renewal or rehabilitation proposal should mainly aim at preserving the identity of the place and enhancing their values by local marketing strategy and adequate urban design (Speaks, 2002; van Synghel, 2002; Vermeulen, 2002).

1.1. Palimpsest concept

The palimpsest concept is frequently use in various scientific fields. In the urban planning field, the concept of the palimpsest is used to explain the construction stages of the architectural monuments and the urban morphology development during the era (Azimzadeh et al., 2007).

We can not imagine the city as a human habitat, but it can be seen as an entity, the processes and the socio-economic phenomena have an heterogeneous dynamics ant the phases of the spatial evolution give a new form to the current profile of urban system, where the old and new architectural elements are interdependent.

To analyze the current urban morphology, the concept of urban palimpsest can be centered on the urban tissue components as:

- Buildings;

- Image of the city (physical aspect of the urban system);

- Stages of spatial dynamics of the town during the reference period;

- Territorial development factors and elements that mutually condition the current urban configuration and its dynamics.

Specific aspects of urban morphology as built heritage and innovative design, can actively contribute to preservation of the local identity (Gospodini, 2004).

Individualization of the new modernity is not possible without a detailed analysis of the historical heritage.

The term is used in urban literature and nowadays it is used also in geographic literature, specifically in urban geography where it is explain the spatial and temporal development of a town, the current urban morphology and the physical geography(geomorphology) that describe the landscape and its neighborhood.

According to Bloom (2002), the landscape as palimpsest is one in which the different relief forms haven't the same characteristics (age, appearance, etc.).

The impact of human actions on landscape can be observed at the levels of urban ecosystems, transport routes, human settlements and architecture/ archetypes (Bailey, 2007).

Chevallier (1976) defines landscape as a result of a dynamic yet instable combination of physical, biological and anthropologic interrelated elements that form a unique and inseparable ensemble in continuous evolution.

Zonneveld (1979) defines landscape by an ecological perspective : "part of the space on the Earth's surface, consisting of a complex of systems formed by the activity of rock, water, air, plants, animals and man and that by its physiognomy forms a recognizable entity".

European Landscape Convention, adopted on October 2000 in Florence, defines landscape as "a part of the territory; its character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors" (Romanian Parliament, 2002).

Oke (1982) says that the urban landscapes are typically a complex combination of buildings, roads, parking lots, sidewalks, gardens, cemeteries, soil, water, and so on.

The 90s printed materials on geography analyze the physical landscape as palimpsest generated by multiculturalism (Daniels, 1988; Barnes and Duncan, 1992).

In other words, urban landscape as space of social interaction can be interpreted and analyzed as palimpsest taking into account the cultural diversity and ethnic categories (Van Aschee and Teampau, 2009).

Thus, the identity construction of Dej city was carried out in different historical eras and it has the impression of different cultures.

In the field of town planning, Assargård (2011) try to develop an urban landscape methodology; he wants to classify palimpsest as one of many strategies using a stratified layer.

The stratification is described as a structuring model for different place components, the landscape describes a global stratification of different urban systems; the natural, cultural and historical perspectives are clearly defined.

In 1980, the palimpsest concept was used for the first time by the American architect Peter Einsenman; this concept was used in urban renewal projects of brownfields in Western Europe and North America (Krinke, 2006).

Eisenman describes the palimpsest as a method to analyze the space and create a project based on multiple observation points (Krinke, 2001).

The notion of palimpsest is quite often used in archeology (paleontology) and refers to a deposit where the rate of fossils accumulation is much higher than the rate of sediment deposit, as well as to stratigraphic units representing large period of time (Walker and Bamback, 1971).

Physical transformations that occur in the urban systems are the result of socio- economic, political and technological processes and different values, styles and cultures that can be found in the current landscape morphology.

The role of time in the evolution of land and landscape as palimpsest is very important to identify the profile and current urban image.

Urban space is treated, based on the concept of urban topography as palimpsest, as a scroll where buildings give identity to space and provide the premises of past, present and future development (Samuelson, 2008).

1.2. Study objectives

This study aims to analyze the palimpsest concept and how it is used in comparison with the urban palimpsest transformations and to emphasize its potential as theoretical and practical tool used in territorial analysis of the reference urban system - Dej Municipality.

The main objective of this study is to develop public policies and identify planning, design and management methods of urban landscape in order to increase the attractiveness of urban environment to the potential investors; a sustainable urban development and the quality of life of resident population.

The specific objectives of the study are:

- To clear up the palimpsest concept and its utilization in the field of town planning and architecture, in spatial and temporal context;

- How the concept of palimpsest can be used as a research tool of the spatial and temporal evolution of the urban system;

- To identify the stages of reference urban system evolution in Romania - Dej city - and of territorial transformations over reference historical eras with direct implications on landscape.

2. Methodology

The city can be considered as a sedimentary layer formed during a long period of time (Min, 2009).

The characteristics of each place are the result of the transposition on time into space.

From the historical point of view, the method used in the analysis of the urban landscape consists in observing the spatial transformations and image of the complex urban system. The current image of the Romanian medieval cities is the product of a complex of historical, social, economic and environmental factors.

Over time, the morphology and urban architecture are two important elements in the transformation process of urban image.

In the context of the continuous territorial development of urban systems, local identity becomes a defining peculiarity for each city.

The reference architectural elements for local identity were destroyed in certain key stages during the urbanization process.

Urban landscape as palimpsest can be analyzed from the perspective of urban transformation in time and space, and are important for the configuration of its current image.

The identification and des cription of the defining elements may lead to a better understanding of the heterogeneous landscape composition and processes, such as urban areas (Weng and Lu, 2009).

The current configuration of the analyzed urban system - Dej city - it can be understood only by an historical study of the places and by the transformations of the urban image in various key stages that are very important for its territorial development.

3. Case study: Dej City, Romania

The city is an urban structure characterized by overlapping elements, produced during different historical eras (Rafailaki, 2006).

The urban palimpsest appears as an adequate tool to analyze the reference periods of time in spatial and temporal development of city ant to preserve its local identity.

The current settlement of Dej city was developed around the medieval and central core; it was built by salt mine, and exploited since roman occupation.

3.1. Dej City and the spatial and temporal development

On April 17, 1682 begins the building of the cities surrounding walls (Mânzat, 2006). It was built barriers and fosses to protect the city (Mânzat, 2006).

The first map that marks the limits of Dej city and Ocna Dej city dates from 1773 (Fig. 1). 1830 is a reference year for the territorial dynamics of Dej city (Fig. 2).

In the spring of 1894 begins the constructions to fortify the city, it was built defensive walls (Mânzat, 2006).

3.2. Urban view over the socialist era

Within the new regionalization of the 50s includes Dej city in Cluj region, comprising 14 districts. 108 rural settlements administratively depend on Dej city.

In 1968, the new territorial-administrative organization of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Dej city becomes municipality and Ocna Dej, Pestera, Pintic and Somcutul Mic become localities of this city.

Between 1949-1968 the industrial development of city, simultaneously with the spatial development, was strictly related to the railway transport and Cellulose and Paper aggregate works.

In 1961 the industrial complex of Dej city and complex of wood industrialization were founded (Fig. 3).

Between 1965-1989 Dej city was subject to forced industrialization.

In the early 70's, the location of Cellulose and Paper aggregate works represented a big step in the urban development of city by the exodus from rural areas to urban areas in order to ensure the necessary labor; it was involved in the industrial process (Borzan, 2012).

In the socialist period, the urbanization process was synonymous with the industrialization process and it was strongly influenced by the political ideology of the socialist system, thus the building of residential areas was often construct by demolishing existing residential areas, without taking into account their architectural value and heritage. During this period, we can talk about the resizing of the city (Fig. 4).

3.3. The palimpsest and current urban morphology

The history of current landscape of the urban system and its stages of territorial development is reflected in its current morphology.

The concept of palimpsest is used to describe the land use types, construction dynamics and architectural landscape in the context of major socio-economic transformations.

The economic post socialist restructuring culminated with restructuring the main activities of the industrial units.

The socio-economic and legislative changes have had a decisive impact on the current image of Dej city. Thus, the current urban landscape is represented by (Fig. 5):

- The central core where the old architectural elements interpenetrate the new once;

- The built residential area, on the one hand, by collective housing and individual housing with local nature and, on the other hand, by new residential areas, in the context of social segregation and new housing needs;

- The reorganized industrial area.

4. Results and discussion

In the context of urban landscape, the concept of palimpsest is used to describe a sequence of stages of the city development (Kjerrgren, 2011).

Recent urban transformations manifested by gradual disappearance of the historical monuments have led to a situation where the urban heritage conservation becomes a real problem for the local authority (Karimi, 2000).

Their responsibility as future experts in preserving historic spaces is to identify the current morphology factors of the space; to recognize and respect the social and cultural history of urban systems (Assi, 2000). The old city is a central core round which the new urban morphology is defined (Fig. 6).

In relation to other studies of urban landscape, the defining elements to preserve and enhance the value of historical and architectural heritage of the studied city can not be found in the current territorial profile.

Revitalizing the cultural heritage and enhancing its value become priorities for the sustainable, balanced, coherent and inclusive development of cities with a rich historical past.

Compared with scientific approach of palimpsest concept, the current scientific approach is base d on the changes of the urban image over time, as reflected in the configuration of the studied city (Fig. 7).

The 19th century is representative for the identity construction of the city. Until the second half of century, Dej city was formed round a core composed by a public square, a Reformed Gothic church, built in 15th century, and an old city. The city central area is a mix of styles, from Gothic style (Reformed church) to neo renaissance style (central buildings Ensemble built by architect Reményik Károly project in 1897; Prefecture Palace, 1897) and neo baroque style (National College Andrei Muresanu", 1900).

The loss of local identity is a characteristic element of spatial and temporal development of Dej city. Over time, many heritage buildings and monuments representative for the local history of the city have been replaced, the new architectural models have not commune elements with the past or not preserve the local nature: the walls of city and of Gothic church, Post Building of Dej city, National Theatre building of Solnoc Dabâca, School of Painting, etc.

The Millennium Monument (Fig. 8) and Soviet Monument (Fig. 9) are two symbols of the historical central area of Dej city; in the current morphology of the local landscape, these monuments can not be found.

The conservation of historical heritage contributes decisively to improve the image and sustainable development of the cities (Wai-Yin and Shu-Yun, 2004).

The preservation of cultural identity can represent a concern whose final objective is to ensure the quality of resident population life (Scazzosi, 2004).

5. Conclusions

The urban palimpsest concept can be used to explain the dynamics of the reference historical eras - support for current urban configuration.

The stratification of development levels according to historical eras has particularly importance in the context of morphology configuration and the urban representation in correlation with the new public policies objectives of sustainable and balanced spatial development.

Past, present and future development of Dej city is the result of territorial and socio-economic transformations.

The urban landscape is treated as an image of the past era, a cultural construction of the present era and a starting point for its new development; all of these are reflected in the city architecture.

The new spatial dimensions and the extension of studied urban system must take into account the social, economic, political and human factors that actively contribute to a controlled, balanced and sustainable development in order to ensure the optimal quality of life.

Reusing the urban palimpsest involves three components: urban conservation, heritage preservation and innovative designs that combine the past and present era and preserve the traditions and local customs, i.e. the continuous relation between past, present and future era.

The new geometry of urban forms should be in synergy with spatial elements and historic and present day influences.

The city considered as a palimpsest is an alternative to the establishment of the lost identity and the capacity to resist to fast, uncontrolled and stereotypical development of the urban system.

Preserving the local identity and combining old architectural elements with new ones are pre requisites of the analysis of urban landscape as palimpsest.

Palimpsest is a method to analyze and characterize the urban landscape. Each city is an urban palimpsest.

Excepting a nostalgic reconstruction of the urban system of Dej city, i.e. of all elements specifically to palimpsest such as central core, public square, heritage buildings, architectural elements, specific to various styles, should establish a rational continuity where the preservation and enhancing of value should synchronize with the contemporary management strategy and sustainable, coherent and integrate development objectives.

Thus, the new regeneration and urban renewal project should take into account the history of city and aim to preserve the historical heritage by integrated revitalization and enhancing its values.

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Received: 20 May 2013 * Revised: 17 March 2014 * Accepted: 14 April 2014