Urban Studies

NIKU’s urban research is aimed at developing innovative ideas, concepts and models that incorporate history and cultural heritage in urban development. The purpose is to create robust cities that coming generations will value.

NIKU provides services to a wide range of actors involved in urban development issues. Municipalities, administrative bodies, and private developers may need cultural heritage advice in connection with the preparation of cultural environment plans, cultural-historical site analyses, feasibility studies, conceptual choices, and impact assessments.

There is value creation potential in utilizing cultural heritage as an identity-creating element. This may concern how buildings are restored to create energy-efficient building environments, while at the same time preserving aesthetic qualities that give buildings and neighbourhoods distinctive characters and identities. Further, it may address how the city’s fragmented traces and history of change are included in the planning of new buildings, streetscapes, and squares.