Architectural Photography as Witness: Urban Regeneration and the Sense of Place

我的研究旨在探索和展示档案建筑摄影材料如何为当前西北地区的建筑和城市规划实践带来经济、文化和社会附加值，以及如何在快速增长、发展和城市再生的关键时期为我们对建筑环境中遗产资产的理解带来附加值。通过政府工业战略（2017年11月）的视角，并考虑到进步与保护之间的紧张关系，建筑摄影将被用作一种引人注目的视觉工具，以展示如何更好地理解当地建筑遗产资产，嵌入其特定的历史和当地文脉和特征，对未来西北地区成功和敏感的城市再生至关重要。在与包括RIBA在内的工业合作伙伴合作的一系列项目中，我将探索创新的方法，通过数字手段对档案建筑摄影图像进行分类、传播和体验，从而在变化和经济不确定的时期对我们的建筑环境产生更深入、多层次的理解。此外，这种办法可能提供机会与世界各地其他档案馆保存的编目材料联系起来，建立和鼓励更广泛的视觉和文化对话和影响。探索的重点包括：1建筑摄影在视觉上记录城市环境的能力，以及积极塑造我们对城市环境的感知的能力。如果要实现成功的、可持续的、高质量的城市再生，就需要对当地身份、集体记忆和总体“地方感”的敏感性。摄影作为一种视觉工具，能够增加和深化人与建筑环境之间的理解和联系。具体来说，利物浦受到威胁的联合国教科文组织世界遗产（WHS）地位将作为一个案例研究的重点，以说明建筑遗产给该地区带来的经济价值和收入（旅游，商业投资等），以及在激烈和快速发展和增长的时期，需要对这个“遗产城市”的特点和USPs有更深入的理解和敏感性。预计这些项目的成果将为城市规划者、保护专业人士、商业投资者、游客和当地居民以及工业合作伙伴（RIBA）本身带来价值。通过将视觉文件、记忆和历史痕迹与利物浦存在的关键时刻的当代城市经验以数字方式联系起来，我的研究将为建筑专业人士、场所制造者和当地社区提供价值。因此，档案摄影图像将被用作与一系列利益相关者接触的工具，以更好地了解与西北地区日益增长的经济增长和进步相适应的敏感城市发展的需求。

My research proposes to explore and demonstrate how archive architectural photographic material can bring added value - both economic, cultural and social - to current architectural and urban planning practice in the North West, and to our understanding of heritage assets within the built environment in general, at a pivotal time of rapid growth, development and urban regeneration. Interpreted through the lens of the Government's Industrial Strategy (November 2017) and in the light of perceived tensions between progress and conservation, architectural photography will be used as a compelling visual tool to demonstrate how a better understanding of local built heritage assets, embedded within their specific historic and local context and character, is crucial to the successful and sensitive urban regeneration of the North West region of the future. Working on a series of projects in collaboration with industrial partners including the RIBA, I will explore innovative methods in which archive architectural photographic imagery can be catalogued, disseminated and experienced through digital means to create a deeper, multi-layered understanding of our built environment during a time of change and economic uncertainty. In addition, this approach may offer opportunities to link to catalogued material held in other archives worldwide, establishing and encouraging a broader visual and cultural dialogue and impact. Some key points to explore will include: 1 Architectural photography's ability to both visually record the urban environment, and actively shape our perception of it. 2 The need for sensitivity to local identity, collective memory and overarching 'sense of place' if successful, sustainable, high quality urban regeneration is to be achieved. 3 Photography as a visual tool capable of increasing and deepening an understanding and connection between people and the built environment. Specifically, Liverpool's threatened UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) status will be focused upon as a case study, to illustrate the economic value and revenue architectural heritage brings to the region (tourism, business investment etc.), and the need for greater understanding of, and sensitivity to, the particular character and USPs of this 'heritage city' during a period of intense and rapid development and growth. It is envisaged the outcomes of the projects will bring value to urban planners, conservation professionals, business investors, tourists and local residents, as well as to the industrial partners (RIBA) themselves. By digitally linking visual documentation, memory and historic traces to the contemporary urban experience at a pivotal moment in Liverpool's existence, my research will provide value to architectural professionals, place-makers and local communities alike. Archive photographic imagery will therefore be used as a tool to engage with a range of stakeholders, to bring about a greater understanding of the need for sensitive urban development compatible with increased economic growth and progress in the North West.