Overlooked heritage of Albania: chronicle of rescue, conservation and com-munity involvement at Great Prespa Lake

[EN] A set of actions, concerning conservation policies, have been undertaken in Great Prespa Lake Region, Albania during the last years. The activities, as presented in this paper, are part of a project driven by European Heritage Volunteers in partnership with the GFA Consulting Group, the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Prespa Project and with the collaboration of Polytechnic University of Valencia. This joined partnership has made possible the creation of a document “Guidelines for interventions at vernacular architecture at Great Prespa Lake” as following explained. The guidelines are finally aiming to all the villages of the this Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO, but the result has been possible thanks specially to the study – in detail – of one of the rural communities located in the region – Zaroshke. The village has been selected and analyzed as a possible pilot project for conservation polices and community involvement, during the summer of 2021, thanks to the participation of local communities and international volunteers (students and young professionals) trough the systematic documentation of vernacular architecture of the village.The training course was possible thanks to GFA Consulting Group within the framework of the “Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Prespa” Project as part of the German Financial Development Cooperation Project funded by KFW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)Cristini, V.; Ludwig, B. (2022). Overlooked heritage of Albania: chronicle of rescue, conservation and com-munity involvement at Great Prespa Lake. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 657-662. https://doi.org/10.4995/HERITAGE2022.2022.1576965766

Estudio de las fábricas de ladrillo en Valencia: análisis mensiocronológico y técnicas de acabado (s. XVII-XVIII)

The traditional techniques of brick masonry in Valencia, mainly in the 17th and 18th centuries, are highly interesting to understand the urban distribution of the city. This period is featured by a huge development of the local brick production and the expansion of cheap and simple masonries lacking building specialists. Direct and indirect documentary sources enable to find out really interesting unknown aspects about the mensiochronological evolution of bricks, their joints and finishing techniques typical of the city centre.Las técnicas tradicionales de construcción de fábricas de ladrillo empleadas en Valencia, sobre todo a lo largo de los siglos XVII y XVIII, presentan un gran interés específico para la comprensión del tejido construido de la ciudad. Se trata de una época caracterizada por un gran desarrollo de la producción ladrillera autóctona y la difusión respectiva de fábricas económicas, simples y sin necesidad de obreros especializados. Las fuentes consultadas para este estudio, tanto directas como indirectas, han permitido descubrir interesantes aspectos desconocidos, relacionados con la evolución mensiocronológica de los ladrillos, los tipos de juntas y las técnicas de acabado propias del centro histórico de la ciudad

CUENCA (SPAIN), WORLD HERITAGE CITY. ANALYSIS OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

[EN] This text presents a study on the city of Cuenca, carried out as part of the Project 3DPast-Living & virtual visiting European World Heritage. Nine case studies were selected within the project, when Cuenca was selected as the Spanish case study. The case studies selected had to be cases of inhabited vernacular architecture in places still preserving the traditional constructive techniques. In addition the selection was expected to cover all of Europe in some way. This is therefore a case study for a city declared World Heritage site, aiming to analyse the characteristics of vernacular architecture which have earned it the title of World Heritage Site (through different analyses and 3D methodologies), such as the management strategies currently used there, learning from those proving successful, and even showing these as an example of management for other World Heritage cities which may be encountering similar problems.This work has been carried out as part of the project 3D Past - Living and virtual visiting world heritage site (2016-1740/001- 001).García-Soriano, L.; Cristini, V.; Diodato, M. (2020). CUENCA (SPAIN), WORLD HERITAGE CITY. ANALYSIS OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:529-533. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-529-2020S5295334

Constructive features and preservation work of rammed earth architecture: the Islamic tower of Bofilla (Valencia)

[EN] The Bofilla tower (Valencia, Spain), at 800 years old one of the oldest buildings still standing in the whole region, is a rubble-reinforced rammed earth construction almost 20 m high. Its precarious condition called for preservation works and the enhancement of the surrounding archaeological site. However, these works involved a serious risk that the original construction might lose its hallmarks and its history, which had great narrative potential, due to the plasticity of the earth. Furthermore, as often happens, a great deal of the character and antiquity of the tower were linked to the erosion and abrasion of its rammed earth surfaces, so it was necessary for the preservation to try to alleviate or stop the degradation that threatened the tower's survival and, at the same time, conserve its narrative potential, its aura and its ancestral character. After performing a comprehensive preliminary study of the construction and its state of repair, a large number of preservation tasks were carried out, from cleaning the facades by hand to reconstructing the structure of the tower in several spots, such as the south-western corner and, especially, the entrance in the northern facade, which was on the verge of collapse. Other operations included filling in the lacunae in the fabric both inside and outside the tower, micro-pointing the rubble filling in the most degraded areas of the southern facade and protecting and consolidating the crowning. In addition, new floors and a staircase leading up to the top of the tower were inserted in the places where their traces were still visible to avoid damaging the fabrics and to perform the most faithful archaeological reconstruction possible. The article addresses the study, reflections and technical operations carried out on the tower during the works on site, with the objective of maintaining the original materiality of the rammed earth fabric and the traces of its construction and life as a testimony of its history.Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Mileto ., C.; Cristini ., V. (2014). Constructive features and preservation work of rammed earth architecture: the Islamic tower of Bofilla (Valencia). Journal of Architectural Conservation. 20(1):28-42. doi:10.1080/13556207.2014.886377S284220

Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania: Architecture, History and Intangible Culture

[EN] Romania's significant German (Saxon) heritage is perfectly conserved in southern Transylvania, where Saxons arrived in the mid-1100s from the Rhine and Moselle river regions. Highly respected for their skill and talent, this population succeeded in gaining administrative autonomy, a feat practically unrivalled through a feudal Europe of absolute monarchies. The result of almost nine centuries of existence of the Saxon (German) community in southern Transylvania is still visible today in a stunning melting pot of cultural and architectural heritage, unique in Europe. Within the framework of the project ¿3d Past, Living & virtual visiting European World Heritage¿ the set of 7 villages (Biertan, Câlnic, Dârjiu, Prejmer, Saschiz, Valea Viilor, Viscri) listed by UNESCO since 1993, have been studied in detail. Strategies for maintenance and conservation have been analysed in order to contribute to the awareness and preservation of the principles of authenticity and integrity of those sites.This paper is the result of the research project 3D Past - ¿Living & virtual visiting European World Heritage¿ [Grant Agreement Ref Nº570729-CREA-1-2016-1-PT-CULT-COOP1], which was co-funded by the European Union, under the programme Creative Europe (2016-2020).Cristini, V.; García-Soriano, L.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F. (2020). Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania: Architecture, History and Intangible Culture. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:249-254. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-249-2020S2492544

Spanish traditional architecture abandonment and destruction: an initial analysis of social risks, phenomena, and effects in earthen architecture

[EN] Throughout the last century, Europe’s traditional architecture has been affected by a severe and widespread trend of decline and abandonment. These are the result of worldwide cultural, social and technological modifications which have noticeably changed society, lifestyle and economy. These transformations are reflected directly in built heritage and places, often struggling to adapt to the new habits and needs and thus prone to disuse and destruction. The same processes and phenomena also affect intangible culture, such as traditional construction know-how, causing the loss of another essential part of the population’s heritage and identity. Spain is no exception. Due to industrial advances and the rural crisis which brought about major changes in lifestyle, culture and population, the country is now facing various critical situations connected to this trend. These include depopulation, overpopulation, tourist exploitation, and social discredit, which are a stark warning to the conservation of its traditional architecture, now in jeopardy. The following paper focuses on identifying the most important social phenomena within Spain in relation to the transformation, abandonment, and destruction of traditional architecture. Through this analysis, the study aims to provide an initial evaluation of their effects on Spanish earthen traditional constructions and so highlight the crucial aspects to be considered for the formulation of proper and effective strategies for conservation, management and valorisation.This text presented the early results of the author’s doctoral thesis, linked to the research research project “RISK-Terra. Earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: study of natural, social and anthropic risks and strategies to improve resilience”, (funded by MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE; Ref.: RTI2018-095302-B-I00; main researchers: Camilla Mileto and Fernando Vegas López-Manzanares).Caruso, M.; Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Cristini, V. (2022). Spanish traditional architecture abandonment and destruction: an initial analysis of social risks, phenomena, and effects in earthen architecture. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 55-62. https://doi.org/10.4995/HERITAGE2022.2022.14887556

Torres costeras durante el siglo XVI. Estrategias territoriales y técnicas constructivas en el frente marítimo levantino del Reino de Aragón y Virreinato de Nápoles

[EN] The historical strong relationship between the eastern coast of Spain and southern part of Italian Peninsula has been a common issue over different civilizations from Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans up to the most recent modern kingdoms. Considering this set of connections based on trade routes and territorial bilateral interests, the western shores of Mare Nostrum have been key-points of a dense network of military and economical strategies. The dynamics of extensive territorial control have left interesting examples of costal watchtowers both in the Sorrento Peninsula, near Naples (Italy) and in the East coast of Valencia (Spain). The process of towers construction begins at early stages of Middle Age and, from the 16th century it runs up into a systemic control of the coastline, thanks to the reuse of obsolete fortified elements and new building-site procedures. In the paper, the authors aim at highlighting the territorial relationships among a number of towers built during the 16th century, as well as they propose a comparison of their construction techniques in order to gain an historical comparative and a contextual understanding of these fortified systems.Ruiz Checa, JR.; Cristini, V.; Russo, V. (2015). Torres costeras durante el siglo XVI. Estrategias territoriales y técnicas constructivas en el frente marítimo levantino del Reino de Aragón y Virreinato de Nápoles. En Defensive architecture of the mediterranean: XV to XVIII centuries. Vol. I. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 159-166. https://doi.org/10.4995/FORTMED2015.2015.1689OCS15916

Examination of earthen construction in archaeological sites of the Iberian Peninsula for risk analysis

[EN] Earthen constructions are one of the most widespread and fragile elements of the architectural heritage of the Iberian Peninsula. This situation is worsened when they lack the necessary protection and are found in vulnerable enclaves such as archaeological sites. Their geographical, cultural and constructive particularities expose them to different risks – natural, social and anthropic – which threaten their conservation and interpretation for future generations. This study aims to examine this type of heritage complex in constructive terms, focusing on constructions of a domestic and productive nature and paying special attention to those from prehistoric, protohistoric and Roman periods. Attention is also paid to later similar remains conserved. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methodologies are applied to a series of case studies found throughout the Iberian Peninsula in order to record the information on fiches examining general and specific aspects of the different techniques observed. Given the broad timeline and geography covered, as well as other identification and conservation factors, the data collected reflect a predominance of adobe over other earthen techniques which are also described, including daub, cob and rammed earth, with fewer examples identified throughout. This heritage is therefore classified to record the original states compiled from the different archives, reports and publications. Subsequently, a specific database is generated for the analysis of risks (exposure and sensitivity) and criteria, strategies or results (capacity for adaptation), gleaning as much information as possible from these characteristics.Manzano Fernández, S.; Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Cristini, V. (2022). Examination of earthen construction in archaeological sites of the Iberian Peninsula for risk analysis. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 401-408. https://doi.org/10.4995/HERITAGE2022.2022.1525140140

"House Nepal" Project: Initial Results and Perspectives for an Anti-Seismic Cooperation Project

[EN] The "HouSe-Nepal" project is being developed within the framework of the ADSIDEO programme (Project for the Centre for Development Cooperation of Universitat Politècnica de València 2018-2020) in collaboration with the Nepalese foundation Abari: Bamboo and Earth Initiative. This action aims to provide the technological and scientific support needed for the construction of anti-seismic housing taking into consideration environmental, socio-cultural, and socio-economic sustainability as key factors for the project. Students from Kathmandu University are taking part in a series of experimental constructive actions in the town of Dhulikhel, aiming to provide a response to the major constructive problems and limitations of local housing (as starkly highlighted by the 2015 Ghorka earthquake). This paper aims to present the initial results of the project and some possible perspectives and actions to be specified in its final year. Basically, the design efforts are being aimed at the promotion of an architecture taking inspiration from local Nepalese architecture, as a sign of identity which is safer in the event of ground movement, and more sustainable in terms of production and execution than conventional constructions whose format and technology have been imported from Europe.This paper is part of the "HouSe-Nepal: prototipo de vivienda sostenible anti-seísmo en Nepal" project, funded by the CCD/UPV Adsideo- Cooperación 2018 programme. https://housenepal.blogs.upv.es/Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Mileto, C.; García-Soriano, L.; Cristini, V. (2020). "House Nepal" Project: Initial Results and Perspectives for an Anti-Seismic Cooperation Project. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:719-722. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-719-2020S7197224

Earthen Architecture in childhood awareness for sustainable development

The work presented has been developed within the framework of the educational and diffusion activities promoted by the UNESCO Chair of Earthen Architecture, constructive cultures and sustainable development at its headquarters in the UPV (directed by F. Vegas and C. Mileto) in collaboration with the UPV Nursery School and UPV Summer School. Within this framework, we structured some activities focused on knowledge, promotion and development of earth as material associated with a wide range of constructive, sustainable and ecological techniques, being a former resort yet contemporary, linked to different cultures. The proposed workshops are an educational resource based on active methodologies ("learning by doing") because the students are who learn to build the various earthen techniques their own hands, actively and collaboratively to achieve a common goal, a small building which all participants are encouraging teamwork and collective participation.El trabajo presentado se ha desarrollado en el marco de las actividades didácticas y de difusión fomentadas por la Cátedra UNESCO de Arquitectura de tierra, culturas constructivas y desarrollo sostenible en su sede de la UPV (dirigida por F. Vegas y C. Mileto) y en colaboración con la Escuela Infantil UPV y la Escuela de Verano UPV. En este marco se han estructurado una serie de actividades centradas en el conocimiento, fomento y desarrollo de la tierra como material asociado a un amplio abanico de técnicas constructivas, sostenibles, ecológicas, tratándose de un recurso antiguo y a la vez contemporáneo, vinculado a diversas culturas. Los talleres propuestos constituyen un recurso pedagógico basado en las metodologías activas (“learning by doing”) ya que son los alumnos los que aprenden a construir las diversas técnicas de tierra con sus propias manos, de forma activa y colaborativa para conseguir un objetivo común, una pequeña construcción de la que todos sean partícipes, fomentando el trabajo en equipo y la participación colectiva