Abandoned or Degraded Areas in Historic Cities: The Importance of Multifunctional Reuse for Development through the Example of the Historic Commercial Triangle (Emporiko Trigono) of Athens
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This manuscript deals with the multifunctional reuse of building stock in central urban areas of great historical and architectural importance that is an emerging issue for many historic cities.
The introduction section has no references, exempt to the Valletta Principle. The few references are scattered in sections 2,3,4 and are mainly of Greek interest (except the Valletta Principles) and a lot of them are referenced in Greek language. Authors are encouraged to add a comprehensive literature review section and cite recent literature on Historic centers and integrated, to cultural heritage, urban development to support their research idea and findings. English language should be applied to the existing references.
In section 2, Materials and Methods, the methodological approach is not clear. Authors should consider to include a methodological framework.
Authors could reorganize the structure and the content of sections 3, 4 and 5, so as to increase the manuscript readability. Clearer definition and relevant literature review on historic multifunctionality and coexistence of different activities in Historic Centers or historic cities parts could be included.
Authors refer to “an ongoing feedback tool” (line 518, Conclusions). Definition and methodological approach of this tool could be included.
Roads depicted in maps (e.g., Figures 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are in Greek language, thus non-greek readers will not be able to read them, or to understand the analysis presented in Section 4 (e.g., lines 346, 365, 367,368, 384-387). Authors are encouraged to use English language for their maps. Roads depicted in Figures 19 & 20 are not legible. The Great Walk (Athens Master Plan, Figure 21) is not clear (map is in Greek language)
There is no specific reference to the map background used in various Figures (e.g., 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14), whether is authors' own work or other source (or sources). Map background reference should be included. Furthermore, it is not clear whether all buildings of a block are built on a sole plot or on different ones.
Supplamentary material is only in Greek language.
There are typos and grammar inconsistencies that should be addressed.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
This is a well written paper on the functional transformation of historic city area in Athens. The topic of tourist pressure on the urban development and heritage preservation is extremely current and relevant for many European cities.
It concerns a very thorough, well-structured and evidenced urban and architectural analysis of the transformations of the urban area - Historic Commercial Triangle. A special contribution of the research is the graphic analytical material which, in a very clear way, brings an overview of the state and processes in space.
The paper is mostly based on the results of extensive field research of one urban area example and has the characteristics of a serious professional research. Its scientific character should be further emphasized. Therefore, it is proposed to supplement the article with knowledge and references that will improve the theoretical starting points/background (Chapter: Introduction) and place the conducted research in an international context (Chapter: Conclusion / Discussion).
For example see articles and related literature:
Urban Planning Regulations for Tourism in the Context of
Over tourism. Applications in Historic Centers
Manuel de la Calle-Vaquero, María García-Hernández and Sofía Mendoza de Miguel
Critical Review of Public Policies for the Rehabilitation of Housing Stock: The Case of Barcelona
Angel Uzqueda, Pilar garcia-almirall, Còssima Cornadó, Vima Grau
The introductory chapter needs to be supplemented with the most important previous scientific research and international documents on the topic of functional transformation of historic urban centers and adaptive reuse. The basic features and specifics of planning and protection in Greece in the context of the topic should be briefly explained. It is also necessary to refer to previous research conducted for the Commercial Triangle and explain their methodology and content in relation to the author's research.
Since Athens is not an isolated case, the conclusion needs to be supplemented by comparative examples of good practice and / or problems (for example - gentrification) arising from the process of urban renewal of European urban centers. The example of the Commercial Triangle should be correlated with some of the implemented models of renewal of European tourist cities and similarities / differences should be pointed out and discussed.
In the introductory chapter (lines 37-40) you state: 'many theoretical texts of urban preservation experts deal with the issue'. List some of the most influential and explain their theses. How does your research build on previous theoretical starting points?
Line 40 - In addition to Valetta Principles, list other documents relevant to the protection of urban units and adaptive reuse and their starting points - for example:
Leeuwarden Declaration. Adaptive Re-Use of the Built Heritage: Preserving and Enhancing the Values of our Built Heritage for Future Generations, 2018.
UNESCO. Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, 2011
Line 50 - state which urban studies you are referring to (add to the list of references). It is proposed to translate the Reference list into Latin script. In this way, it is not possible to check the validity of the research and the scientific character of the used literature to a wider circle of readers.
Line 55 - a brief explanation of the manner of urban planning and the role of protection in urban plans in Greece and / or Athens is needed. It is not clear what kind of urban plan is valid at the moment for the analyzed area? How the protection of individual buildings and/or the entire area is implemented within the plan. Explain the relationship/regulation of development, transformation and protection at the city area planning level.
line 61 - Replace word recreational with the word leisure
In Chapter 2 - Materials and Methods when and how this city area has been explored before. Which data from previous periods have the results from your field research been compared to.
Line 95 - you mention ‘extended bibliographical research’ but the list of references has only 8 titles. It should be possible to verify the data and claims from the previous research presented in the article, which are not the result of field research. Line 99 - it is desirable to add some of the exact data on the analyzed area: area (ha), number of buildings, number of inhabitants 30 years ago and today… All graphics should have written Sources, and maps should have graphic scales. It is suggested to attach a graphic legend (instead of a descriptive one) to the maps. Due to the complexity of the graphic presentation, it is difficult to follow individual analyzes.
Line 204-208: research is focused on commercial uses but .... 'Residency, educational and cultural uses, services and handicraft shops are encountered to a very small degree ...'It would be interesting to comment on what other uses are needed for the quality of everyday life. What are the residents’ aspirations. Is there any research about that?
Line 225 - it is great that this analysis (map) has a brief conclusion of the author - within the description. It would be desirable that all maps have the same principle. Write a conclusion in the image description instead of analysis layers description (corresponding colors).
Line 243 - some explanation of heritage protection methods and or structural transformation is needed (see comment line 55)
Line 247 - avoid vague/imprecise facts (many of abandoned buildings, large area, some galleries). Scientific research must be precise and exact. Indicate the exact number and / or percentage of abandoned buildings of special architectural value. The note is valid for all determined space data.
Line 308 - here or in the description of the methodology (Chapter 2) briefly explain the character of the 1990 research this analysis and comparison refers to. Was then the same methodology (topics and method of analysis) already used? Is your research innovative in methodology or has repeated the same methodology after 30 years?...
Line 309 – many building, numerous galleries (see comment line 247)
Line 318- rapid decline of permanent residents - source, facts, numbers are needed
Line 322 – word - recreational (like sports and recreational?) or leisure (see Abstract too)
Line 341 - wrong number of Figure
Line 342 - wrong number of Figure
Line 376-378 It is proposed at the beginning of the article to give a review of previous research on planning models, ways to control the transformation of space and models of protection.
Line 395 - have there been any previous research on 'different needs of its neighborhoods' and/or resident needs (line 401)?
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper is improved, but authors should consider the following remarks:
- International experience/ literature review is not extensively cited, as was indicated. Further literature review on Historic centers and integrated, to cultural heritage, urban development is needed so as authors support their research idea and findings. Furthermore the added literature is not in proper rank (e.g. l. 53 is [1] l. 60 is [18], l. 66 is [17]. Authors are encouraged to work further on that.
- - The methodological framework on Section 2 is not clear.
- Authors are encouraged to provide a chart with the methodology. The additional bibliographical sources are limited strictly to Athens and Greece. - Citation on UNESCO’s recommendations can facilitate author’s methodology chart formation-creation. The paper is more of a case on Athens Historic Commercial Triangle. - Bibliographic research on history, urban development and Greek legal framework should be thoroughly presented. - The Commercial Triangle, the Historic Commercial Triangle and the Historic Triangle of Athens are correlated as it is “one of the oldest one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens (l. 164)”. That should be adequate referenced and analyzed. The three central axes (l.169 and figure 3 caption) are not correlated to maps presented and the commercial triangle
- Authors should present plots borders within the blocks so as to facilitate the understanding of the urban environment, as was already indicated. -In Figure 6 the “G. Walk” is presented, but the reader cannot comprehend to what is referring to. -Figure 9 the upper floors mixed uses are not clear. - Comprehensive literature review on multifunctionality and coexistence, besides the Leeuwarden Declaration, should be provided.
- Description on 1990 and 2020 data and filed surveys characteristics should be briefly presented.
- Language proof editing should be carried out.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The article has been supplemented and improved according to the instructions
best regards
Author Response
We thank you very much for your comment.
