IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

Urban regeneration initiatives in historically marginalised areas often prioritise physical redevelopment while overlooking the social, cultural, and emotional dimensions that underpin communities’ sense(s) of place. In South Africa, apartheid-era forced removals not only disrupted spatial structures but also fractured deeply embedded social relationships and collective memories associated with place. This paper explores the radical potential of inclusive regeneration through the restoration of memorial landscapes in Marabastad, a historically significant neighbourhood in Kroonstad in the Free State Province of South Africa. During the 1960s and 1970s, apartheid legislation led to the forced relocation of Black residents to surrounding townships, fragmenting the social fabric and leaving behind decaying buildings and forgotten landscapes. The study employs a qualitative research design using Participatory Action Research (PAR) within a singular intrinsic case study. Data were generated through focus group discussions, community mapping exercises, and transect walks conducted with residents to recover collective memories of significant places and to identify opportunities for regeneration. Findings reveal enduring memories of a vibrant social life anchored in churches, schools, and public gathering spaces, alongside a profound sense of loss regarding community interaction. Simultaneously, residents expressed hope for the restoration of meaningful places through inclusive planning processes that acknowledge historical narratives and community aspirations. The paper argues that inclusive regeneration must move beyond infrastructure-led interventions to engage with landscape memory and the restoration of sense of place. By foregrounding community voices, the research demonstrates how memorial landscapes can serve as catalysts for socially restorative and context-sensitive urban regeneration.