Sunday Afternoon: Reflections on Dispersed Traditional Architecture

Abstract

This article is a reflection around one of the heritage assets with most influence in the construction of a people’s identity, namely traditional architecture. We focus on dispersed traditional architecture, given its evident vulnerability as opposed to that located within towns. Thus we consider the possibility of its being regarded as territorial heritage in view of a collective and perennial problem: the way it is perceived socially and the indolent approach toward it by the authorities. One result of this approach is a proliferation of prosaic constructions that displace traditional architecture. The fatigue generated by this situation – although we hope that this important heritage may yet be recognized and safeguarded – leads us to fall prey to an inevitable pessimism.