Image of a Sacred City: Portraying Sacred values of Historic Urban Landscape of Sylhet city, Bangladesh

Abstract

The Historic Urban Landscape Approach by UNESCO presents a new perspective on urban conservation by visualizing cities as a living cultural landscape, changing the traditional idea of the "Historic city” concept. Like many Indian sub continental cities, the cultural-religious spaces have continuously shaped the urban morphology of Sylhet over time and given it an identity as a sacred city. The purpose of this study is to identify Sylhet's spiritual layers through cultural mapping and attempt a critical assessment of the sacred scapes' connectivity to the city's historic urban landscape. This mapping method consists of four methodological steps: proper identification, data collection, documentation, and digital mapping of cultural resources. This research will give heritage scholars better insight into the sacred roots of the historic urban landscape process. The spatial layers of religious heritage sites can be used as an essential instrument for urban planning and to develop a heritage-led vision for the city.