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Mohammad Moradi A, Mohammad Moradi A. (2024). Conservation, Restoration and Revitalization of Historical Context; A Step Towards Sustainable Development. Athar. 45(105), 119-139. doi:10.22034/45.105.5
URL: http://athar.richt.ir/article-2-1851-en.html

Abastract
Looking at historical contexts in the present era, socio-cultural features are dominant as opposed to purely physical attitudes. This change has become evident through world charters. Both approaches can be viewed in the field of conservation and restoration of historical fabrics. This aspect involves various paradigms. Hence attitudes begin with rigid and inflexible physical structures and gradually move towards more flexible and non-physical structures. Human knowledge means that it is necessary to pay more attention to flexible socio-cultural structures and revitalize them for the future modern world. Since the historical fabrics is a homogeneous system consisting of physical and non-physical structures. The role, characteristics and interaction between these structures are consider. Used strategies for conservation of the physical structure that works well in small towns may not always have the desired effects in bigger cities. Applying the socio-cultural structure in the historical fabrics can have a major impact on the functional and revitalization of the contexts. In this article, the relationship between the physical space of the historical context and socio-cultural phenomena should be explained by using an argumentative and citation methods. It is clear that habitation is one of the main components of the social function of historical fabrics therefore the form and type of housing is the result of a socio-cultural approach.
Keywords: Historical Context, Urban Conservation and Restoration, Sustainable Urban Development, Socio-cultural Structure, Active Conservation.

Introduction
Human spatial aptitude, like the aptitude for speech, is, in a sense, a form of human language. Just as humans produce and transmit concepts through spoken symbols, they also create symbols through space, thereby expressing their socio-cultural intentions. Ethnological studies reveal that the organization of space in different cultures precedes any form of human-made shape or form. It is these human spatial aptitudes that create the space for various events. Socio-cultural processes unfold within a historical space, and the essence of the historical fabric's space originates from this realm. Just as spoken symbols have an alphabet to express a myriad of concepts, human spatial symbols can organize the unlimited spatial patterns they require. Historical fabrics encompass physical structures resulting from human spatial aptitudes. The growth of human spatial aptitudes has a biological aspect, but the growth of the historical fabric is primarily linked to socio-cultural growth.
The physical form of the historical fabric encompasses human spaces in the sense of average and common dimensions of space, but the entirety of its essence is subject to historical processes over time. Therefore, whenever the historical fabric is emptied of socio-cultural processes, its spatial essence changes, ceases to live, and becomes ready for decay. The physical form of the historical fabric is in exchange with its environment, engaging in cultural and informational exchanges with social structures.
Research Question: What role does dynamic conservation of the historical fabric play in empowering the physical form of the historical fabric to achieve sustainability?

Discussion
Active conservation is an approach designed to empower the physical essence of historical urban areas. It prioritizes the careful preservation and sustainable evolution of urban values and heritage. This includes a broad spectrum of aspects: historical significance, cultural traditions, religious importance, natural elements, and environmental considerations.
The core principle guiding development within this framework is "sustainable development," which emphasizes maintaining continuity, ensuring balance, and preventing the undue polarization of human activities around singular axes, such as industry, purely economic factors, or other limited perspectives.
Key facets of this approach encompass:

1. Attending to the continuity of physical, spatial, and overall urban structure. This involves acknowledging development that has occurred over time, while actively avoiding polarization or disruption of these established patterns.
2. The inclusion of the city’s broader cultural and historical landscapes within the scope of conservation goals. This encompasses gardens, rivers, mountains, and other natural features integral to the urban identity.
3. Overseeing and controlling the physical development processes within cities to ensure that growth is accompanied by corresponding structural development. This integration reinforces the values embedded within the existing urban structure.
4. Giving due consideration to the conservation of diverse urban ecosystems, recognizing their intrinsic value.
5. Paying close attention to the preservation of the original morphology of cities and villages that have been gradually integrated into the larger urban environment through continuous development, thereby respecting the foundational morphologies of the urban fabric.
6. Conserving the environmental structures and elements that have historically contributed to and shaped urban development.
7. Continuously safeguarding and preserving existing urban spaces that have already achieved a state of sustainability.
8. Striving to conserve the fundamental rules and architectural foundations of the historical city while concurrently updating and adapting its functions to contemporary needs.
9. Adopting an approach that views urban development as an ongoing process rooted in the city's existing and historical vital capacities. It acknowledges the historical trajectory of urban evolution.
10. Embracing the restoration of the historical fabric while actively overseeing the preservation of the city's vital capacity, accounting for the dynamic factors influencing the urban environment.

Traditional policymaking has often treated historical areas as isolated cases, rather than as integral components of a sustainable urban development system. As such, comprehensive urban plans frequently defer concrete decisions by simply drawing a boundary around the area.
An alternative strategic planning approach aims to conserve inherent values while simultaneously aligning with the city's historical dynamism within a broader framework of sustainable development and the promotion of fundamental qualities of life. Ultimately, a paradigm shift in the foundational principles of historical area planning is critical.

Conclusion
The policy of environmental revitalization of the historical fabric can be considered one of the essential underlying policies in 'sustainable urban fabric development.' In this regard, examining the policies announced by the United Nations and the World Bank and comparing them with Conserving historically significant urban fabrics requires regulations that strike a balance between public welfare and private interests, recognizing that unregulated markets are insufficient for the conservation of their value. These regulations must ensure residential, cultural, religious, social, economic, livelihood, educational, and tourism vitality. The long-term interests of residents, as hosts, play a key role in strengthening tourism-related places and fostering a sense of place attachment. Physical, cultural, social, and economic revitalization are mutually reinforcing, with physical improvements serving as a catalyst for deeper, long-term economic growth. The neighborhood economy is an integral part of the city's economy, requiring interventions to be evaluated within the city context. To buffer the historical fabric against economic fluctuations that can lead to demolition and renovation, institutional support is essential. Conserved and revitalized buildings, coupled with diverse uses, creativity, and innovation, can empower the fabric culturally, socially, economically, and physically. Prioritizing new uses that strengthen the existing base economy is crucial. Achieving holistic development requires fostering growth from within, connected to the outside, by focusing economic development on enhancing local advantages, addressing spatial degradation, empowering local businesses, and encouraging domestic demand. A Revitalization Fund, supported by cultural, religious, and social structures, can provide financial assistance to unprofitable projects using funds from profitable ones. Fostering urban tourism creates a broader economic base for the historical fabric. An "active conservation" approach emphasizes sustainable development, conserving continuities, balance, avoiding polarization, and protecting diverse ecosystems. Ultimately, "active conservation and urban restoration" view the city as a reflection of the urban community in interaction with its natural environment, rather than in opposition to it.
Policies for 'Sustainable Urban Development' in the Historical Fabric:

1. The need to create environmental integration by making economic decisions that consider the impacts on the environment, especially on the ecosystem.
2. Intergenerational commitment through making decisions that consider the consequences for future generations.
3. Ensuring that all residents of the historical fabric can enjoy an environment in which they can grow and flourish.
4. The need to reorganize the social, cultural, and religious institutions of the historical fabric, and to encourage their participation, cooperation, and assistance in order to improve the quality of the environment.