Creating Balance Between Transformation and Preservation Within UNESCO World Heritage Sites: A Case Study of Belper, UK

An innovative design-led strategy for UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) balances transformation and preservation, demonstrated through the case study of Belper in the Derwent Valley Mills WHS. The research proposes treating heritage sites as palimpsests—layers of historical significance that can be reinforced while integrating modern development. This approach addresses derelict landscapes caused by industrial abandonment, offering a cohesive regeneration plan that enhances community life without compromising heritage integrity. By analyzing urban grain, natural environment, social landscape, and economic forces, the study knits together existing structures with mixed-use development, ensuring sustainability and cultural recognition in 21st-century contexts.

CAROUPAPOULLÉ, A. (2019). CREATING BALANCE BETWEEN TRANSFORMATION AND PRESERVATION WITHIN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES: A CASE STUDY OF BELPER, UK. The Sustainable City XIII, 1, 395–405. https://doi.org/10.2495/sc190351