Important views in heritage cities from theoretical-methodological conceptions of urban management

Abstract Important views of historic cities constitute an important psychological-visual resource that turns them into a tool for visual heritage protection, the built environment and the international projection of the city; from there emanates its quality as an economic resource, as high-quality landscapes are required to develop the different urban functions. This recourse conception linked with the complexity of elements that intervene in them and the threats that affect their visual integrity and values mark the need of its protection. An urban management theoretical approach for important views protection, based on its principal characteristics, its interconnection and interdependence with the rest of the city components, allows clarifying its preservation process. A key aspect in this proposal has been finding the appropriate approaches for important views management development and the conceptualization of this process from the systemic relationships of urban and heritage management, which has enabled a methodological framework that identifies phases for their management and appropriate instruments to address them.