A Holistic Approach to Vernacular Heritage Conservation

Understanding the built heritage is the first step in its conservation. In the case of the vernacular heritage, a holistic approach must be adopted. Vernacular buildings and settlements are formed by aspects that are beyond their tangible and visual characteristics and attributes. Worldviews, values, beliefs, myths and other aspects of the intangible heritage of the community have contributed to the form, style and other tangible aspects of the built vernacular heritage. The natural environment is another aspect. Moreover, for living vernacular heritage, development needs of the community form the context and dynamics that should be considered in conservation plans. This paper is an essay on the need to adopt a holistic approach in vernacular heritage conservation, starting by a holistic understanding. Examples are used from the vernacular heritage of Muslim-majority communities where Islam is a crucial influence such as Siwa in Egypt and Shibam in Yemen. Also, examples are discussed from transhumance communities such as Hawraman in Iran and Khinalig in Azerbaijan. The study and conservation of vernacular heritage should benefit from the recent efforts to bridge gaps between cultural and natural heritage, movable and immovable heritage as well as tangible and intangible heritage. The essay recommends adopting the three recent developments in the field of heritage conservation, namely the notions of cultural landscape, historic urban landscape and people-centred conservation. Accordingly, a holistic approach to the study, understanding and conservation of the vernacular heritage addressing the ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘for whom’ could be developed.