| This thesis will examine the important role of urban heritage and the rise of heritage conservation as a necessary urban strategy in the contemporary city.;The growth of heritage conservation and its impact on the urban environment can be accepted as an indicator of a changing cultural sensibility among planners and urban designers, developers and builders, politicians and citizens. Arising from a critical view of modern cultural sensibilities and dealing with the challengers of the modern urban environment, this changing sensibility has generally been referred to as postmodern--"post" referring to a transcendence of the modern view of urban life.;While postmodern cultural sensibilities have invigorated and emphasized urban heritage, linking postmodern design principles with contemporary urban social, economic, and political factors has significantly assisted in the conservation of urban heritage. Urban heritage serves as a critical support for tourism, commercial revitalization, urban entreuprenialism, urban competitiveness in the global market, and increases in public tax revenues.;However, in the 1990s, decreasing disposable income and decreasing tourist activity in urban heritage interest have threatened urban heritage's legitimacy as a vital urban environmental element. This thesis concludes that by linking heritage conservation as a community development activity, involving and supporting community-building, it would ensure that urban heritage plays an integral role in the urban environment and remain a vital urban strategy.;The lack of involvement or interest in urban heritage by local populations indicates that present heritage conservation activity is overlooking an important benefit; urban heritage as a source of community pride and soul. Heritage conservation must extend the role of urban heritage to act as a means to rebuild local culture and appreciation and mediate and shape local community culture as well. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
