ABSTRACT
Introduction The interaction of human beings with the past and the present, with buildings, spaces and one another produces an urban dynamism and creates a spirit of place. For its user the urban environment is an interpretation through personal identification and attachment to the existing physical fabric, groups of buildings or street network. The (historic) urban environment is a relic of past events, occupation and ownership. Urban heritage on the other hand is the interpretation of history by a variety of users and by decision makers aiming to attract more users. Heritage is finite and the more ancient is rapidly being consumed; yet this loss is increasing the desire to save and to see it, and thus it is also hastening its demise. Lowenthal (1996) thus describes the past as both more accessible and more vulnerable than ever before. Within the heritage environment, as in the city itself, there is an underlying tension between current and previous inhabitants; between local history and world history; between user and visitor; between internal and external space; between depth and superficiality.
