95692 - WORKSHOP ON PROJECTS FOR INVENTORYNG, PRESERVING, AND DISSEMINATING INNOVATIVE TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Learning outcomes

The workshop aims at introducing students to the activities and projects of ITKI – International Traditional Knowledge Institute: mainly the creation of a data bank of traditional techniques and sustainable technologies that will become a prime source of visibility and certification for ideas, practices, and businesses committed to the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems and cultural heritage. Through ITKI, traditional solutions and innovative proposals are being disseminated by the 800+ UNESCO sites worldwide and by an international network of foundations, study centers, experts and practitioners. By the end of the workshop, students will be able to join the building and implementation of the ITKI DataBase, available to governors, local authorities, and citizens, and participate in projects concerning the application of innovative traditional knowledge to the sustainable development and management of natural and cultural heritage. In this regard, students’ internships could be carried out within projects currently run by the Institute.

Course contents

Definitions. The initial part of the program is dedicated to the definitions and main contents of the whole workshop. Participants will become familiar with the main topics of the course, such as traditional knowledge, traditions, heritage, cultural heritage, sense of place and will be introduced to the false dichotomy between tradition and innovation. References will also be made to fundamentals, including the concept of sustainable development and culture, tangible and intangible heritage, cultural industries and cultural services, and awareness of the importance of history. The final concepts explained in the definition section will be Genius Loci, Sense of Place and Significance. References will be made to case studies, with a focus on Venice and its Lagoon.

The doctrine of conservation. As a preliminary knowledge of the protection and conservation of traditions and heritage, the course will describe the conservation movement, referring to the significant contributions of history, from Ruskin to Le Duc, from Riegl to Brandi, up to the most recent contributions.

Conservation movement. Parallel to the doctrine, although it began at a later stage in history, the conservation movement has been based on individual and national understanding of the importance of heritage protection and conservation. This recognition has led to the creation of international public organizations, such as UNESCO, ICCROM, IUCN and ICOMOS, as well as other initiatives represented by GHF, WMF, etc. without forgetting SPAB. This part of the course will show how they work and the main tools, including conventions and recommendations that are in use today at international and national level.

Circular economy and heritage. To look at traditions and heritage through an innovative perspective, the course introduces some results offered by the link between circular economy and heritage. The circular economy is in fact promoting resilience and sustainability in the use of resources, thus enhancing more local craftsmanship and maintenance rather than substitutions.

Traditions and solutions based on nature. Another important association that is created is the course insists on promoting nature-based solutions for urban and rural regenerations. Traditional practices in agricultural landscapes and urban areas were based on cooperation and coexistence with nature and natural forces, inspiring some innovations today. Furthermore, it is important to remember such historical knowledge in treating nature as a solution to pressing problems we are facing today, such as climate change and resource waste.

Cultural districts, territorial cultural systems and management plans. The promotion of the territory, looking at the international experience, has recently implemented the suggestions of the economy of culture and developed ideas such as cultural districts and territorial cultural systems which have found confirmation in the structures of the management plan promoted by international organizations.

Readings/Bibliography

Acri, M., Dobričić, S., Jokilehto, J., 2019. The Circular Economy in Adaptive Reuse: Respecting Authenticity and Integrity, in: Il Patrimonio Culturale in Mutamento Le Sfide Dell’uso. Presented at the Scienza e Beni Culturali 2019, Arcadia ricerche, Venezia, pp. 319–330.

ARUP, 2016. The Circular Economy in the Built Environment. ARUP, London.

Bandarin, F., Oers, R. van, 2012. The historic urban landscape: managing heritage in an urban century. Wiley Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex, UK ; Hoboken, NJ

Brandi, C., 2000. Teoria del restauro, Rist. ed, Piccola biblioteca Einaudi., Nuova serie. G. Einaudi, Torino.

Cervellati, P.L., 1991. La città bella: il recupero dell’ambiente urbano, Contemporanea. Mulino, Bologna.

CoE, 2000. European Landscape Convention.

Dobričić, S., Acri, M. (Eds.), 2018. Creative cities: which (historic) urban landscape, Architettura. Mimesis, Milano.

Dobričić, S., Jokilehto, J., Acri, M., 2019. The Circular Character of Building Tradition: Which Challenges for the HUL Approach, in: Getzinger, G. (Ed.), Proceedings of the STS Conference Graz 2019. Presented at the STS Conference Graz 2019 - Critical Issues in Science, Technology and Society Studies, 6 – 7 May 2019, TU Graz, Graz. https://doi.org/10.3217/978-3-85125-668-0-05

Jokilehto, J. (2018). A history of architectural conservation. Routhledge, Taylor and Francis.

Jokilehto, J. (2019). Questions of authenticity. Conversaciones...Con Herb Stovel, 8, 18

Lefebvre, H., 1974. La production de l’espace. L’Homme et la société - Sociologie de la connaissance marxisme et anthropolgie. 31–32, 15–32. https://doi.org/10.3406/homso.1974.1855

MacArthur Foundation, 2021. The Circular Economy In Detail [WWW Document]. URL https://archive.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/the-circular-economy-in-detail (accessed 8.21.21).

Norberg-Schulz, C., 1992. Genius loci: paesaggio, ambeinte, architettura. Electa, Milano.

Sennett, R. (2013). L’uomo artigiano. Feltrinelli

Tuan, Y.-F., 2011. Space and place: the perspective of experience, 7. print. ed. Univ. of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minn

UNESCO, 1976. Recommendation concerning the Safeguarding and Contemporary Role of Historic Areas.

UNESCO, 1972, Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

UNESCO 2003, Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

UNESCO 2005, Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the diversity of cultural exPressions

COE 2005, Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (Faro Convention)

Teaching methods

The laboratory will take place through short morning and afternoon lessons by the teacher and tutor and consequent individual or group assignments and laboratories that will be presented by the students. If possible, visits and assignments will be organized outside Ravenna.

Assessment methods

Students will be evaluated for their participation and contribution to individual and group tasks that will be assigned by the tutor during the workshop.

Teaching tools

The course will be carried out through classroom presentations made by the teacher and frequent group and individual workshops using traditional software, such as ppt and word.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Acri