The rapid pace of urbanization and modernization across the globe has greatly altered the landscapes of our cities. This relentless transformation often comes at the cost of eroding the cultural, historical, and social identity of our urban spaces. Collective memory and the physical setting of urban spaces are highly interdependent of each other, as these spaces often provide a platform where the collective memory can be formed and preserved, the memory embedded in these spaces give meaning to them. This research aims at exploring the potential of collective memory as a tool for developing or redeveloping urban spaces. The study’s main objectives are to establish a theoretical foundation on collective memory by an in-depth analysis of the already existing theories and literature on memoryscapes, while also exploring its relationship with urban spaces in shaping place identity, placemaking, and community sense. Additionally, it seeks to develop a design framework that leverages collective memory as a tool for creating and revitalizing urban spaces into more inclusive, resilient, and memory-rich environments. The research methodology begins with a detailed literature review, including both theoretical studies and case studies, to derive tangible and intangible parameters that link memory and urban spaces, further refining them into sub-parameters. Using these parameters, a selected site is analyzed through primary study to extract inferences and conclusions. Finally, the findings are synthesized to develop an urban design framework that integrates collective memory into urban space development and regeneration.

Keywords:Collective memory, cultural heritage, urban regeneration, socio-culture, inclusivity

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1. Sönmez İÖ, Erin İ. Re-production of space by reference to collective memory—An urban design studio practice. ICONARCH. 2017;(1):753–763.
2. Rose-Redwood R, Baird IG, Palonen E, Rose-Redwood C. Monumentality, memoryscapes, and the politics of place. ACME. 2022;21(5). doi: 10.14288/acme.v21i5.2266.
3. Loughran K, Fine G, Hunter M. Urban spaces, city cultures, and collective memories. In: Tota AL, Hagen T, editors. Routledge International Handbook of Memory Studies. New York: Routledge; 2015. pp. 193–204.
4. Boroujeni N, Shafaei M, Afshari M, Sedghpour B. Architectural components for the formation of sweet collective memories in the “in-between space” of residential environments. Cult Islam Archit Urban. 2023;8:211–227.
5. Land J. Synthesizing collective memory and counter-memory in urban space. Urban Geogr. 2023;44(5):1–10. doi: 10.1080/02723638.2023.2205261.
6. Pabjan B. The collective memory of a city: The case of Wrocław. Forum. 2015;6:87–122.
7. García Gómez D, Mueller L. Childhoods and collective memory in Latin America. Oxford Bibliographies Online. 2024. doi: 10.1093/obo/9780199791231-0291.
8. Virloget K. Between archaeology and anthropology: Collective memory, liminal spaces, and mythical landscape. Ars Humanitas. 2023;17(2):21–40. doi: 4312/ars.17.2.21-40.
9. Abu-Obeid N, Al Taki M. Investigating the collective memory of traditional markets in Downtown Amman. J Cult Herit Manag Sustain Dev. 2024;ahead-of-print. doi: 10.1108/JCHMSD-10-2023-0167.
10. Rossi A. The Architecture of the City. Eisenman P, editor; Ghirardo D, Ockman J, translators. Revised American ed. Cambridge (MA): MIT Press; 1966. Published for The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts and The Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies.
11. Halbwachs M. On Collective Memory. Coser LA, editor and translator. Chicago (IL): University of Chicago Press; 1992.
12. Nora P. Realms of Memory: Rethinking the French Past. Kritzman LD, editor; Goldhammer A, translator. New York (NY): Columbia University Press; 1996.

The rapid pace of urbanization and modernization across the globe has greatly altered the landscapes of our cities. This relentless transformation often comes at the cost of eroding the cultural, historical, and social identity of our urban spaces. Collective memory and the physical setting of urban spaces are highly interdependent of each other, as these spaces often provide a platform where the collective memory can be formed and preserved, the memory embedded in these spaces give meaning to them. This research aims at exploring the potential of collective memory as a tool for developing or redeveloping urban spaces. The study’s main objectives are to establish a theoretical foundation on collective memory by an in-depth analysis of the already existing theories and literature on memoryscapes, while also exploring its relationship with urban spaces in shaping place identity, placemaking, and community sense. Additionally, it seeks to develop a design framework that leverages collective memory as a tool for creating and revitalizing urban spaces into more inclusive, resilient, and memory-rich environments. The research methodology begins with a detailed literature review, including both theoretical studies and case studies, to derive tangible and intangible parameters that link memory and urban spaces, further refining them into sub-parameters. Using these parameters, a selected site is analyzed through primary study to extract inferences and conclusions. Finally, the findings are synthesized to develop an urban design framework that integrates collective memory into urban space development and regeneration.

Keywords:Collective memory, cultural heritage, urban regeneration, socio-culture, inclusivity

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Sönmez İÖ, Erin İ. Re-production of space by reference to collective memory—An urban design studio practice. ICONARCH. 2017;(1):753–763.
2. Rose-Redwood R, Baird IG, Palonen E, Rose-Redwood C. Monumentality, memoryscapes, and the politics of place. ACME. 2022;21(5). doi: 10.14288/acme.v21i5.2266.
3. Loughran K, Fine G, Hunter M. Urban spaces, city cultures, and collective memories. In: Tota AL, Hagen T, editors. Routledge International Handbook of Memory Studies. New York: Routledge; 2015. pp. 193–204.
4. Boroujeni N, Shafaei M, Afshari M, Sedghpour B. Architectural components for the formation of sweet collective memories in the “in-between space” of residential environments. Cult Islam Archit Urban. 2023;8:211–227.
5. Land J. Synthesizing collective memory and counter-memory in urban space. Urban Geogr. 2023;44(5):1–10. doi: 10.1080/02723638.2023.2205261.
6. Pabjan B. The collective memory of a city: The case of Wrocław. Forum. 2015;6:87–122.
7. García Gómez D, Mueller L. Childhoods and collective memory in Latin America. Oxford Bibliographies Online. 2024. doi: 10.1093/obo/9780199791231-0291.
8. Virloget K. Between archaeology and anthropology: Collective memory, liminal spaces, and mythical landscape. Ars Humanitas. 2023;17(2):21–40. doi: 4312/ars.17.2.21-40.
9. Abu-Obeid N, Al Taki M. Investigating the collective memory of traditional markets in Downtown Amman. J Cult Herit Manag Sustain Dev. 2024;ahead-of-print. doi: 10.1108/JCHMSD-10-2023-0167.
10. Rossi A. The Architecture of the City. Eisenman P, editor; Ghirardo D, Ockman J, translators. Revised American ed. Cambridge (MA): MIT Press; 1966. Published for The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts and The Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies.
11. Halbwachs M. On Collective Memory. Coser LA, editor and translator. Chicago (IL): University of Chicago Press; 1992.
12. Nora P. Realms of Memory: Rethinking the French Past. Kritzman LD, editor; Goldhammer A, translator. New York (NY): Columbia University Press; 1996.