Speaker
Description
This paper explores the evolving notion of the monument within the context of urban conservation, emphasizing its relationship with time, values, and societal continuity. Moving beyond traditional definitions, we propose that a monument is not merely a static physical object, but an architectural sign that establishes virtuous behaviors over time. This perspective highlights the concept of antifragility, wherein monuments and cultural heritage do not simply withstand time’s challenges but grow stronger through their interactions with changing societal contexts. Conservation, we argue, must align with the sustainability of human society, evolving dynamically to reflect contemporary values, rather than just preserving material accuracy.
In this framework, we examine the metropolitan dimension of living culture, where cities, as living monuments, embody a dynamic interplay between heritage, innovation, and sustainable development. The metropolitan environment serves as a fertile ground for cultural exchange, fostering both the preservation of traditions and the integration of new knowledge.
Furthermore, we address the transformation of nature into a secular monument, where human interaction with the environment is defined by freedom, constraint, and ethical responsibility. This transformation embodies the idea of nature as a secular sacred, a shared responsibility that evolves with societal needs.
Finally, through the lens of the Paraty-Quilombo do Campinho project, we explore how local knowledge and cultural landscapes are harnessed as agents of change to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and poverty. The paper proposes that urban centers, through their living culture, play a pivotal role in creating resilient, antifragile communities capable of adapting to and thriving in the face of contemporary challenges.
References
Vawda, S., Denison, E., (2022), The Cape Town Document on Modern Heritage, Curator. The Museum Journal,Volume67, Issue1. January 2024 Pages 35-42; Bandarin, Francesco, and Ron van Oers, eds. 2014. Reconnecting the City: The Historic Urban Landscape Approach and the Future of Urban Heritage. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell; Smith, L. and Campbell, G., 2017. ‘Nostalgia for the future’: Memory, nostalgia and the politics of class. International Journal of Heritage Studies 23(7): 612-627; Taleb,N.,(2024), Antifragile. Prosperare nel disordine, Milano: Il Saggiatore; Chakrabarty, D. (2021). The Climate of History in a Planetary Age. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press; Tsing, A., 2015, AURA's Openings. More-than-Human. AURA Working Papers Volume 1;Contin, A., Galiulo, V., 2021, Methodological Guidelines for Metropolitan Cartography Projects, in Ardeth N.9, Race
| Keywords | Metropolitan heritage; Antifragility; Secular Monument; Cultural landscape; Local Knowlegde. |
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| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
