Djabarouti, J., 2023.

From materials to meanings: an evolution of architectural conservation practice

Perspectives from the Arab Region and China – sustaining vernacular ICH and the co-existence of ICH and material values - Hossam Mahdy and Johnathan Djabarouti give us two different perspectives. Hossam briefly sets out the impact of war, natural disaster, modern developments and mass tourism on vernacular architecture, which is a form of ICH, and the people who inhabit them across the Arab region. He suggests that today’s architects “need to go deeper beyond the aesthetics” to learn the old ways and methods which support sustainability. Johnathan stresses that the ‘Modern Conservation Movement’ must embrace intangible values and critical heritage theory to remain relevant. Both elements place communities at the heart of conservation and promote inclusive approaches and decolonisation. He cites the Ancient City of Ping Yao in China as an example where Traditional-Bearer communities and their cultural expressions and Material heritage co-exist in harmony and inform each other.