ABSTRACT
While there are varying definitions of the notion of sustainability, it is a consensus that sustainability deals with eliminating problems for future generations. A truly sustainable approach to development that meets the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, economic and social – is now a global concern that reflects a shift in collective societal paradigms and scientific understanding. This chapter explores the nexus between sustainable development and the conservation of historic urban environments. It specifically discusses the sustainable future for historic urban areas by highlighting how to implement the contemporary concepts of urban sustainability and green urbanism in conserving urban heritage. To a greater degree, historic cities evolved or were designed to be sustainable; thus, contemporary inquiry of sustainable urban planning has much to learn from historic cities. At the same time, historic urban settlements could benefit from the emerging thoughts on how to make human habitats sustainable, especially in their adaptation to modern ethos and life in their quest for relevance and survival in a dynamic global context. An approach to sustainable urban heritage, therefore, should critically review the applicability of the contemporary models of sustainable urbanism and widen the discussion to search for holistic and integrated approaches to sustainable development and heritage management of historic urban environments.
