Adopting the ‘historic layering’ concept from the Historic Urban Landscape approach as a methodological framework for urban heritage conservation

The inevitable effects of globalisation and urbanisation have caused significant challenges to urban conservation. In response, UNESCO introduced the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach in 2011. This approach views the historical urban area as the result of a continuous ‘historic layering’ process, suggesting that conservation and management plans should recognise this dynamic process. Accordingly, this study adopts the ‘historic layering’ concept as a methodological framework to guide urban heritage conservation. It begins by defining ‘historic layering’ through authoritative sources and existing studies. Then, it explores the concept’s origins and its similarities to other layer approaches, as the foundation for proposing the methodological framework. Lastly, the study identifies a three-step implementation strategy as the ‘historic layering’ methodological framework: identifying layers, studying layers and analysing the interactions on and between layers. This framework aims to provide a way to ground the HUL approach from a theoretical level into a practical level for urban heritage conservation.