Analysis of facade solutions as an alternative to demolition for architectures with visual impact in historical urban scenes

Abstract

[EN] Some urban regulations oblige to replace buildings with visual impact in the surroundings of a historical monument, what implies undesired sustainable and social consequences. We conducted a study to evaluate if alternative façade solutions can improve the assessment of cityscape integration and preferences for six tall buildings with visual impact in the surroundings of the Serranos Towers of Valencia (XIVth Century). Results show that, although replacing buildings is the most integrated solution, some alternatives also improve the landscape integration of visually-impacting architectures and are better preferred than demolition. Citizens are in favor of intermediate positions between actual state and demolition, with people unfamiliar with the area more inclined towards demolition.