Living in Defended Spaces: Past Structures and Present Landscapes

Many of us live in settlements which were, at some time past, primarily defensive in character, but for some the presence of fortifications is a feature of the urban landscape which impinges directly on their use of space. The effects of a residual core of long established structures on present land use, and the ways in which they have been modified to accommodate new uses are examined in the context of settlements in parts of Europe and Tunisia. Comparisons are drawn between cultural attitudes to fortifications and the types of modifications believed by residents and planners to be appropriate, and consideration is given to the importance of scale of defence works, degree of completeness and size of urban centres. The ways in which defensive structures contribute to, or detract from, the present day landscape and economy are considered and suggestions are made for the future incorporation of such structures in environmental planning policies.