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Dr Jalal R Elbelazi17/11/2009

Urban Decay

introductionWhat is urban decaywhat are the main causesUrban decay in north Africa RegionHow to over come decayCase study diagnoses of urban decay in central station of Milano (Italy)

The Urban decay case:

Many cities which had populations of a few hundred thousand twenty years ago, have now becomes cities of a million or more (Tripoli). This leads to the change of the urban environment with a large pressure on the older parts of the city centre.

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Most of the pressure for change for change are generated from the town itself, as new families need homes, jobs and better living environment. Today most big cities at three ways which help decay to occur

. Demographic change (growth in size)

. Economic change (technological change)

. Social, cultural change (attitude change)

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What is urban decay

Pacione defined decay as the extreme state of structural or environmental decline, sometimes known as slums. However Medhurst & lewis suggested that decay is sometimes the simple and inevitable result of ageing.

Decay is related to change in the social structure/ economic of the society which could defined the urban decay.

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Urban decay be brought about by economic or social factors, where the standard of living has fallen below the acceptable level of which people might be able to live

All we need to consider now is that once the deterioration stage is reached and the conservation fall short then decay is bound to begin.

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what are the main causes of urban decay

The decline of parts of old cities is produced by many factors, which include urban growth, social change, economic development and environmental transformation.

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Urban growth:

Urban population increases each year as dose the pressure for urban centres to accommodate most of the new population. As a result new demands are placed upon older areas, surrounding the old centres of the city. Also the shifts of population and improvements in standards of living bring about changes and uncertainties to this part of the city, which in turn causes more declines.

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The social change: Old towns have developed over time to

meet the needs of their inhabitants in accordance with the circumstances of those who live or work there. So they (old areas) must be viable in circumstances of change to prevent decay.

The growth in world economy has contributed to well-being of many, as a result a growing tendency towards materialism has caused more decline to the old part of the city.

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The economic development:

Economic development usually conflict with the old areas where archaeologists and conservation schemes do not want anything touched and everything restored. This conflict casus more decay to the old areas.

Also from economic point view decay represents depreciation and the question of whether to spread resources on conservation to redevelop or leave them alone.

Economic activity in the centre is very essential for the survival of these areas, but when these activities are drifting away the old area will decline sharply.

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The environmental factor

The aspect of environmental decay is of increasing importance, as the high winds and effects of rain and hot weather could weaken and destroy the most substantial buildings.

As long as environmental conditions in town remained on this creative and appreciative stage (towns will healthy), but as soon as the creative strength began to weaken environmental decline will be expected.

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Urban decline in North Africa North Africa countries are socially and

demographically similar, they have high rate of population growth, a young population structure and a large family.

The region has some of the oldest cities in the world. As these cities growth the old cities has become surround by new formal and informal development. This great pressure to build new development similar to those in Europe which placed the old areas as target for new development. This will cause the area to decline as it has been neglected by the majority of the central government policies

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In case of Tripoli as soon as independence

achieved the vast majority of the Europeans departed from Tripoli and the total population of the new colonial city declined. The local population quickly abandoned the old city for more comfortable lifestyle in an apartment in the colonial city. As the old city was abandoned by its original population it was invaded by new migrants from the countryside and refugees from certain groups. The transformation of historic centre into low income popular zone had brought the rapid physical deterioration and decay to the Medina

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How can we overcome decay:

The solution to the decay problem was

shifted to the restoration of decaying old city by the means of regeneration of new cultural and recreation uses. Decision makers have attempted to breath life into outworn old areas by considering the strengths and opportunities, which the declined area might still have to offer.

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The main factors of urban decay:

The factors which contributed to the deterioration and decay of most conservation areas are well known, but the size of the problem has caused much dismay to the old areas, but by covering the main factors which cases urban decay we could minimise the problem.

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. The future delay in starting a massive campaign of restoration would case more decay (time is not on our side).

. A straight forward study needed which could clearly establish the funding required to undertake the restoration of the fabric and its overall rehabilitation and moderation to contemporary standards.

. Conservation are of a more complex nature and it involves religious, cultural, urban and economic factors which needed to be coordinated and orchestrated in order to stop the decay .

. Once the strategy approved by the local authority a feasibility study and detailed assessment and planning should begin.

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