Le Vieux Port : Past and Present Until the C19 the Vieux Port remained the centre of maritime activity in the city. Vieux Port, Marseille [Image Source] In the Middle Ages land beyond the port was used to cultivate hemp for the local manufacture of rope for mariners. René, Duc de Anjou …
Read More »Marseille Phocean City: Part 3 : EuroMéditerranée Project
With its history, architecture, culture and beaches, Marseille is now one of the most visited cities in France and ranked 86th in the world for business tourism and events. The number of congress days hosted on its territory increased threefold from 1996 to 2011. They take place over three …
Read More »Marseilles: Phocaean City : Part 2 : Heritage within the Urban Framework and Multi-Modal Transport System
Fort St Jean / Fort St Nicholas – Photo : bolzlimacher The Organisation of World Heritage Cities, (OWHC) summarises the Marseille Forum event, “Marseille Forum on the Value of Heritage for society and the social value of heritage,” held in September this year as follows: “…The Marseille Forum was organised by …
Read More »Marseille : Phocaean City : Part 1 : City History and the Rade
Marseille is the second largest city and metropolitan area in France with a city population of over 853,000 within a metropolitan population of over 1.6 million. It extends over 24,000 hectares, including 9,000 designated natural areas. It is the country’s largest city on the Mediterranean coast and largest commercial port, …
Read More »Valparaiso : The Seaport City – Part 4: Heritage Threats
“Preserve and defend culture by turning to our seas to enhance Chilean maritime conscience” Museo Naval y Maritimo de Valparaiso [Image Source] Vintage photograph of Muelle de Pasajeros, Valparaiso In the 1990s, Architects Myriam Waisberg and later Cecilia Jimenez campaigned to support the heritage of the city. Jiminez carried out …
Read More »Valparaiso ‘The Seaport City’ – Part 3: Port and Transport Infrastructure, Earthquake and Fire Resistance
Port Infrastructure Commercial Port Since 1982, with the increase in containerisation, modernisation of the Valparaiso commercial port superstructure and operation began as a private-public partnership. Continued export growth and advances in maritime technology have demanded further investment in dock infrastructure and equipment, a significant new phase of which is under …
Read More »Valparaiso : The Seaport City – Part 2: Urban, architectural and landscape development
UNESCO states that “…Valparaiso presents an excellent example of late C19 urban and architectural development in Latin America. In its natural amphitheatre-like setting, the city is characterised by a vernacular urban fabric adapted to the hillsides that are dotted with a great variety of church spires. It contrasts with the …
Read More »Valparaiso : The Seaport City – Part 1: City Planning
Valparaiso, commonly known as Valpo, is the second largest city in Chile, and Gran Valparaiso (which includes Viña del Mar, Quilpué and Villa Alemana) is the third largest conurbation in the country, after Gran Concepcion and Gran Santiago. It is also the capital of the Valparaiso Province and Valparaiso Region, …
Read More »Machu Picchu: The Lost City – Part 4 : Construction Heritage Significance
Often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu is perhaps the most familiar icon of Inca civilisation known to man today As it appears that it was unknown to the Spanish during their conquest, it is highly significant as a relatively intact cultural site. Through its …
Read More »Machu Picchu : The ‘Lost City’ – part 3 : Stonework
“…the stonework of the site remains as one of the world’s great examples of the use of a natural raw material to provide outstanding architecture which is totally appropriate to the surroundings.” ~UNESCO Author’s Own Photo – Mary Bon 1995 The Incas were masters of the ashlar polished drystone masonry …
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