Charter on the Built Vernacular Heritage (1999)

2016-02-15 denggang Collections, ORCP 0

The Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988. The traditional houses are built to withstand seasonal flooding and have thus survived for hundreds of years. “Mali, Djenne” by Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn) is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Preface:  The Charter on the Built Vernacular Heritage was adopted by the ICOMOS 12th General Assembly, Mexico, October, 1999.

Recognizing that the forces of globalization have made vernacular architecture—traditional and natural community housing—extremely vulnerable, this charter on the built vernacular heritage outlines issues and principles for conservation. In addition, it sets forth guidelines for conservation practice, including research and documentation, preserving traditional craft and building skills, adaptive re-use, and the need for training to educate conservators and communities.

With this document ICOMOS recognizes a unique value to the built vernacular heritage as a historical reflex of man’s action upon its natural context and the attempt of harmony between man and nature.

Here it’s pointed the existence of threats to this heritage as the economic, cultural and architectonic standardization that induce a loss feeling in the community. The way to resist this threat is establishing a network with the different communities, governments, architects, as well as all the other experts involved in the cultural heritage area. The document presents several principles for the preservation and conservation of timber structures, more vulnerable as the time passes by, these principles are considered a addenda to the ‘Charter of Venice’ (1964).

In this document ICOMOS also makes recommendations regarding Inspection, Recording and Documentation, Monitoring and Maintenance, Interventions, Repair and Replacement, Historic forest reserves, Contemporary materials and technologies and Education and training.

What’s built vernacular heritage?

As per the ICOMOS Charter on the Built Vernacular Heritage (1999), “Vernacular building is the traditional and natural way by which communities house themselves. It is a continuing process including necessary changes and continuous adaptation as a response to social and environmental constraints. The survival of this tradition is threatened world-wide by the forces of economic, cultural and architectural homogenization. How these forces can be met is a fundamental problem that must be addressed by communities and also by governments, planners, architects, conservationists and by a multidisciplinary group of specialists”.

What role does vernacular heritage have in the rapidly globalising world?

This heritage is diverse and is unique to each context and community. It has evolved over centuries and for this reason, its most important attributes are its inherent character of adaptability and perceived sustainability. Vernacular heritage has survived over time and may stand as a testimony of human coexistence with nature, which could serve as a paradigm for sustainable development in the future. It is important to note that vernacular heritage encompasses not only the built environment but also intangible aspects, such as building techniques, lifestyles, territorial connections and transmission of skills from one generation to the next, which are intrinsic to communities as recognized in the Charter (ICOMOS, 1999). Both tangible and intangible values are intertwined in this heritage and their sustainable use and protection need to be addressed according to both values, thereby contributing to the world’s cultural diversity.

The built vernacular heritage occupies a central place in the affection and pride of all  peoples. It has been accepted as a characteristic and attractive product of society. It appears informal, but nevertheless orderly. It is utilitarian and at the same time possesses interest and beauty. It is a focus of contemporary life and at the same time a record of the history of society. Although it is the work of man it is also the creation of time. It would be unworthy of the heritage of man if care were not taken to conserve these traditional harmonies which constitute the core of man’s own existence. The built vernacular heritage is important; it is the fundamental expression of the culture of a community, of its relationship with its territory and, at the same time, the expression of the world’s cultural diversity.

Vernacular building is the traditional and natural way by which communities house themselves. It is a continuing process including necessary changes and continuous adaptation as a response to social and environmental constraints. The survival of this tradition is threatened world-wide by the forces of economic, cultural and architectural homogenisation. How these forces can be met is a fundamental problem that must be addressed by communities and also by governments, planners, architects, conservationists and by a multidisciplinary group of specialists. Due to the homogenisation of culture and of global socio-economic transformation, vernacular structures all around the world are extremely vulnerable, facing serious problems of obsolescence, internal equilibrium and integration. It is necessary, therefore, in addition to the Venice Charter, to establish principles for the care and protection of our built vernacular heritage.

Category
Charter

Date

1999

Promulgation

The 12th ICOMOS  General Assembly, Mexico, October, 1999.

Descriptions

  •  Recognizing that the forces of globalization have made vernacular architecture-traditional and natural community housing-extremely vulnerable, this charter on the built vernacular heritage outlines issues and principles for conservation.
  •  It sets forth guidelines for conservation practice, including research and documentation, preserving traditional craft and building skills, adaptive re-use, and the need for training to educate conservators and communities.

Source

http://www.international.icomos.org/charters/vernacular_e.pdf

Download

http://www.international.icomos.org/charters/vernacular_e.pdf

References

Intellectual Property

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