Historic Urban Landscapes and Archaeological Sites: Perspectives and Directions

Archaeological heritage refers to the past manmade and natural changes in cultural landscape. Tangible and intangible heritage are integral components of cultural landscapes. Archaeological sites not only possess essential information about past cultures, but also ecological and visual qualities. This is how cultural heritage sites enhance the quality and identity of urban as well as rural environments and provide for local resident s economical wealth and tourism resource. Landscapes around the world are constructs of human beings—through ascriptions of it of mythological creation or through physical actions. In majority cases, archaeological sites and monuments are far away from being integrated into their present day setting. The landscaping or landscape design is one of the most controversial and unsolved aesthetic and functional aspect. The main aim of this paper is to analyse and evaluate archaeological sites from the perspective of landscape architecture and provision of new approach to the concept of heritage and nature preservation in terms of landscape planning and design principles. It will be achieved first by understanding cultural historic landscapes, archaeological sites, concept of architectural heritage and heritage bodies. The case taken up for study is New Delhi in India in which main focus will be on Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi). The city s detailed analysis regarding its formation, urban form and other landscape elements will be researched followed by an empirical research in the form of interviews and surveys by professionals and local people. These studies will derive the conclusion.