Our Outputs

24-26^th of May the partners of the LINKS network have gathered in VERIA (Greece) for the third thematic workshop of the implementation phase. After a workshop dedicated to urban challenges in European historic centres (Freiberg – Sept 2010) and a thematic workshop dedicated to the citizen's participation (Almeria – Feb 2011), this workshop was dedicated to the technical issues of  eco-restoration of the built heritage and to the necessary balance between conservation and evolution.

THE INS AND OUTS OF THE MEETING :

Conservation, restoration and reuse of the urban heritage can play a key role in the sustainable development of our cities provided that historical buildings meet the challenges of future needs, in particular regarding their energy performance… Indeed, it is time to solve the conflict between heritage conservation and sustainable development. To do so, it is necessary to understand :

 - the characteristic and intrinsic qualities of historical buildings

- the relevant strategies and tools to enhance these qualities

- the best technical solutions to improve their energy efficiency

-  the role that can be played by technology in the eco-restoration processes

- if it is appropriate to introduce micro generation of renewable energies in protected buildings

 These are the issues on which partners of LINKS have exchanged their experiences and illustrated their good practices trying to establish a common platform for their future Local Action Plans.

THE INPUTS :

The main inputs of the meeting are available there :

Frédérique Calvanus, Lead Partner Heritage “Conservation and eco-restoration: a chance for one another.”

Kleopatra Theologidou, Architect, LINKS Coordinator in Veria, “LINKS and challenges for VERIA.”

Prof. Job Roos (TU Delft) : Key note speech “Looking for balance”,

Antonio Borghi, Lead Expert, “Methodological introduction for the analysis of historical building needs”

Prof. I. Papayianni : University of Thessaloniki): "Research findings: “The pathology of the historic structures in Veria”  - See also the presentation

Dimitris Trochopoulos, Update on the activities at local level “What do the citizens think about the historic centre of Veria”

A.Tsangrassoulis K. Drakou  University of Thessaly :Research findings ”Occupants’ behaviour and satisfaction with the indoor environmental conditions in typical historic buildings in Veria.” See also her presentation.

Pouria Shoeibi: Presentation of the case study "Ecole Vétérinaires in Anderlecht"

The OUTPUTS :

Antonio BORGHI's full report of the meting will be soon available. (PDF - 25 Mo)

Brecht Van Dekerckove has planned to help partners to analyse the key of residential attractiveness of in historic centres. The exercise was to cleary distinguish two types of view : the first stake was to identify the expectation of inhabitants and to understand what could be part of their decision to live in historic centres; the second was the point of view of town practitionners.

The following link will led you to Brecht Vandekerhove's introductive presentation.

A number of contents have been chosen to be "food for thought" to the partners for the workshops dedicated to factors of attractiveness and citizens' involvement in urban regeneration.

Among the most eloquent contributions were :

- Brecht Van Dekerkhove preparation paper : "What are the living qualities people are looking for ?"

- the visual SWOT prepared by partners to highlight their Strength, Weaknesses, Opprotunities and Threats,

- the Urban marketting Project led in the Region of Bruxelles, presented by Alfredo Corbalan, cordonator of the project for the Urban Development Agency for the Bruxelles Capital Region,

- the urban regeneration project of La chanca in Almeria, presented by Ramon De Torres, Architect in charge of the project.

To explore "La Chanca" in pictures - Click here.

You can also view Antonio Borghi's blog

To read the full report written by Brecht Van Dekerkhove, please click here.

The central question of the thematic workshop in Almeria was "How can we (re)build sustainable historic cities with quality housing and living environments, Cities with a renewed appeal as potential living environment?”

Starting point was that even historical city centres are not only built in stone and bricks, but also and above all by social networks. We must try to offer a good quality of housing, infrastructure and living environment, but we must also work towards a lively and inclusive social environment. In order to do so  we have to work together with the inhabitants and users of our cities with a long term participative approach.

To read the full report - click here (PDF 736 Ko - new window)

The LINKS’ motto is future proof historic centres, meaning that ancient districts can become sustainable when local urban policies manage to integrate positive evolutions such as buildings’ energy efficiency, modern comfort, quality of public spaces, functional balance, that still are frequently lacking today due to past segmented policies

It seems common sense to say that one can find in Historic Centres nearly all the elements that constitute the « eco-district » most town planners aim to create today.

Their urban forms are particularly thrifty in terms of use of space, local building materials, closeness of urban services, social and functional mix, etc. But in spite of these assets, historic centres can hardly stay vibrant and balanced neighborhoods. The situation of historic centres can sometimes be excessive: uptowns gained by gentrification or inner cities, decayed urban landscapes or well cared theater set, picturesque and touristic areas, big open-air museums, or shopping centres...

The partners'profiles are part of the application form of the project. The partners used them to precise their local situation, stakes and objectives according to LINKS ' topic.

Almeria

Anderlecht

Bayonne

Brasov

Budrio

Delft

Freiberg

Kilkenny

Veria

The local supports groups are one of the most important vehicles of the projects. Here is the composition of some of LINKS ULSG :

Bayonne's ULSG

Delft's ULSG

The Lead Expert asked the partners to look for existing local practices that do or may bring usefull answers to other partners.

Here are the good practices.

Click on the link :

http://urbact.eu/fr/header-main/documents-et-ressources/documents/?project=1634

The partnership decided to focus on the towns' everyday issues by sharing not merely concepts but primarily concrete issues raised by the field work developed locally. To do so, each partner was asked by the Lead Expert to select at least one local "pilot project" that their city has planned to realize during and/or after the project. They indeed should be emblematic of their city's LINKS LAP priorities.

These Pilot Projects will work as a common thread throughout the project duration, as their progress will be discussed among partners during meetings and through remote group work. Pilot Projects will be compared as they progress and may later become Best practices.

Click on the link to see the LINKS partners' Pilot Projects :

http://urbact.eu/en/header-main/documents-and-resources/documents/?project=1634