Urban restoration, cultural heritage and international cooperation

Abstract

International cooperation in the field of cultural heritage is facing not only the weakness of local institutions responsible for his protection, but also the role that politics assigns them in creating a “national identity” and in the economic development of each nation. This role regards specifically architecture: Under the sight of everyone, Architecture constitutes a geographical reference point and often represent a symbol of national or local identity or of a specific power or religion. These symbols are important points of reference for those who mean to propose a certain view of the history of a Nation or, more importantly, for those who intend to oppose to it, even using force. For these reasons, built cultural heritage can be differently interpreted as to the diverse cultures, political interests, and personal knowledge: the concept of “heritage” is essentially a “relative” one, even when it claims to be universal, as UNESCO teaches us. Thus, opinions on what should be preserved and how to do so often appear to be in sharp contrast, both within a country and between operators from different cultural backgrounds. It can be argued that the intervention on cultural heritage not only raises issues of technical or aesthetic nature, but also, and often, “ethical” ones. It’s a matter of reflection over values that move the behaviours of individuals or social groups and particularly, regarding what they consider right or wrong, as well as the concept of responsibility towards others, posterity and the natural environment.