Developing an Integrated Conservation and Revitalization Model to Provide Criteria and Indicators to Assess the Integration of Measures in Historic Urban Areas

ABSTRACT: Developing an integrated model, establishing a balance between conservation and revitalization objectives in the historic environment, has always been a controversial issue in many countries; however, they sometimes have a type of symbiotic relationship with each other. In this regard, the main aim of this paper is to answer this question: Is it possible to provide an appropriate model for “integrated conservation and revitalization initiatives” in historic urban areas which contains criteria for integrated conservation and revitalization in historic context? To answer the main question, the paper in the first step examines the “integrated conservation model” and “integrated revitalization model”. The concepts of “significance” and “economic vitality” are as the fundamental criteria in these models. In the second step, the concept of “integrated conservation and revitalization” combines “significant” and “economic vitality” concepts together to explain different backgrounds. The “integrated conservation and revitalization model” introduces the criteria and indicators for integration “conservation and revitalization initiatives” and provides an analytical framework for assessing the level of integration of strategies and plans in historic urban areas. Consequently, policy makers, planners, designers and managers can introduce appropriate solutions based on the indicators and criteria of “integrated conservation and revitalization” to achieve a balance and integration in their approaches in conservation and revitalization plans. The validity of the proposed model could be examined in many different examples in similar or different contexts and scales