Re-paving Histories: Research methodology of critical heritage – tracking streets’ re-naming as an additional tool for exploring historic urban areas of contested heritage

Streets’ names carry local histories. Re-naming a street is a meaningful act that may represent transformations and changes that occurred in that area over time. It is an even more significant act when it is a colonial or anticolonial act as a change of government. Tracking streets’ names and their re-naming over time reveals traces of the area’s layers of history along with vestiges of its cultural, political, and social changes. The 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape defines an urban area as “the result of a historic layering of cultural and natural values and attributes” in which social and cultural practices are included, and where social and functional diversity are promoted. Critical heritage approach seeks these multi-dimensional aspects of heritage sites, encouraging their equal representation in the current environment. In contested heritage sites as well as in historic urban areas, the current and past communities’ representation is of main interest. Offering an alternative way of exploring and representing the narratives and values of a place. Jamal Pasha Boulevard – King George V Avenue – Road No.1– Jerusalem Boulevard, these four names of the main boulevard, located in the heart of Jaffa, represent street re-naming and a century transition of an urban area: from the final years of the Ottoman period – through the 30 years of British governance – through the Israeli rule after 1948 – ending with the current state of Israel. The boulevard names and the act of re-naming reflect the process of Palestine’s colonial history. Whereas the official names were mentioned, Palestinians in Jaffa and in the diaspora still, colloquially, call it “Shari’ al-Nouzha” meaning “Street of wandering” in Arabic. Re-naming streets may reflect a practice aimed at highlighting the power of the central authorities and re-writing the story of a place, often leading to tension and resistance among the local communities. Current initiatives, of civil society activist groups, promote adding the boulevard’s previous names to represent its former history as a Palestinian cultural and governmental center of Jaffa until 1948.