Professional Documents
Culture Documents
RehabiMed
Method 1
Mthode
RehabiMed Traditional 2
Architecture
Traditionnelle
Mditerranenne
Mediterranean 3
I. Rhabilitation
Ville et Territoire Architecture 4
Mtodo RehabiMed 5
Arquitectura
Tradicional
Mediterrnea
I. Rehabilitation 6
I. Rehabilitacin
Ciudad y Territorio Town & Territory 7
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RehabiMed
Method 1
Mthode
RehabiMed Traditional 2
Architecture
Traditionnelle
Mditerranenne
Mediterranean 3
I. Rhabilitation
Ville et Territoire Architecture 4
Mtodo RehabiMed 5
Arquitectura
Tradicional
Mediterrnea
I. Rehabilitation 6
I. Rehabilitacin
Ciudad y Territorio Town & Territory 7
EUROMED
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EUROMED HERITAGE
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AGENCIA ESPAOLA
DE COOPERACIN INTERNACIONAL
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COLLEGI DAPARELLADORS
I ARQUITECTES TCNICS DE BARCELONA 14
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Introduction
The first Euromediterranean Conference of heads of state in 1995 saw the launch of the 1
Barcelona process, an ambitious initiative ratified in 2005 at the Barcelona +10 Summit. The
priority objectives are intended to seek sociopolitical, economic, cultural and environmental
synergies from a regional and mutual development viewpoint. It was within this context that the 2
Euromed Heritage Programme emerged in 1998, to contribute towards the improvement and
protection of the diverse heritage shared by the different Mediterranean countries.
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Traditional architecture, as an essential part of the cultural legacy generated by the collective
imagination of the Mediterranean, plays an important part in the actions carried out by Euromed 4
Heritage. In their first years, CORPUS and CORPUS Levant carried out an enormous task
cataloguing and analysing the characteristics and typologies of traditional Mediterranean
architecture, identifying the problems presented and suggesting the best alternatives for 5
preserving it. RehabiMed wanted to continue this stage of analytical study to develop the
essential ideas arising from the needs and urgent requirements detected by these projects
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promoting effective, respectful rehabilitation.
Today, in a globalised world, where economic and cultural uniformity mark the development 7
criteria to be followed based on standard patterns, RehabiMed's proposal is even more
meaningful. Rehabilitation counteracts the idea of globalisation, and regional wealth, cultural
diversity, different ways of life and particular local features become essential elements to be 8
preserved.
There are many public and private initiatives aimed at recovering constructed heritage; some are 9
oriented towards singular, monumental heritage, which we call Restoration, and others, as is the
case with RehabiMed, are directed towards more modest, more abundant heritage with a
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greater presence in the territory, such as traditional architecture in historic town centres, rural
villages and dispersed throughout the territory. This is what we call Rehabilitation, always carried
out to provide buildings the majority of them without any kind of heritage protection with a 11
use. This activity involving action on what has been built presents a wide diversity of situations,
if we look at the Mediterranean sphere. In European countries, rehabilitation activity represents
almost 50% of total activity in the sector, while in the countries of the south and east of the 12
Mediterranean basin, this activity does not amount even to 10% of activity in the sector, despite
its importance concerning economic development and the social cohesion of the population.
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To achieve this aim, RehabiMed's approach has been to work in three directions. Firstly, we have
developed some strategic and methodological tools orientated towards rehabilitation; alongside 17
these, we have carried out various publicity actions and training for professionals in the spirit of
the content of the tools developed; and, finally, we have launched four pilot operations with real
rehabilitation work to test, experiment and demonstrate the importance, possibilities and 18
positive effects represented by good rehabilitation policy.
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They have been three years of hard work, constructive debates and experiences shared with
experts, with students and, above all, with the population directly linked to our actions, which
has allowed us to meet the objective we initially set. We believe that the results are excellent and
that we have created a good starting point for rehabilitation to get off on the right foot, giving
meaning to the tools created, the training given and the experiments carried out.
I am delighted to present the first volume of our methodological work, the result of the effort of
more than 150 experts from different professional spheres in 15 countries. The texts in this
publication contain the Guide for rehabilitation of traditional buildings, an essential complement
to the RehabiMed Method, considered and drawn up at length to respond to the concerns of our
collaborators and experts. In this case, a first procedural part has also been drawn up detailing
the steps to be followed to rehabilitate buildings and offering a rich complement, with precise,
clear, specific articles developing different aspects sketched out in the proposed procedure to
facilitate their application and showing different situations sharing very similar forms of action in
the rehabilitation of traditional buildings. All this will help the different professionals involved in
the rehabilitation process to better apply their capabilities and knowledge based on tried and
tested tools.
Xavier Casanovas
RehabiMed Project Manager
RehabiMed Method
Traditional Mediterranean Architecture
Rehabilitation. Town and territory
Presentation
0. Introduction
Traditional Mediterranean architecture 9
A world in transformation. Architecture under threat 11
Rehabilitating traditional Mediterranean architecture 13
The RehabiMed method 14
Part 1
Rehabimed method for rehabilitation of traditional mediterranean architecture
An approach to the integrated renovation of traditional sites
I / Rehabilitation as a process 17
II / Objectives of the method 17
III / Principles of the method 18
IV / Phases of the method 18
I. Political backing
1. Political will 20
2. Preliminary decisions 22
II. Diagnosis
3. Analysis of the territory 25
4. Integrated diagnosis 32
III. Strategy
5. Strategic reflection 33
6. Action plan 37
IV. Action
7. Implementation of the plan 43
V. Monitoring
8. Continual evaluation 47
Part 2
RehabiMed tools
An aid to renovating traditional sites
I. Political backing
II. Diagnosis
III. Strategy
IV. Action
V. Monitoring
Introduction
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Introduction
X
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Introduction
X
A changing world.
Architecture under threat
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Introduction
X
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Introduction
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Istanbul, Turkey
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Introduction
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Santorini, Greece
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First part
RehabiMed Method
for rehabilitation
of traditional
mediterranean
architecture
An approach
to the integrated
renovation
of traditional sites
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I. Rehabilitation as a process
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III. Principles of the method Flexibility, accepting that the long duration of rehabilitation
processes requires ongoing evaluation of action and the
The method adopts five basic principles in order to guarantee the possibility of redirecting the rehabilitation strategy, adapting it
success of the rehabilitation/revitalization process. to the frequently unforeseeable social and economic changes
that condition the evolution of the territory.
Integration, understanding the traditional space, the historic
city and the rural territory to be part of a larger-scale territory Adaptability, defining merely a framework-guide that
in which they have to be set and organized in accordance with facilitates the management of rehabilitation and does not claim
their historic singularity, and not regarded as isolated enclaves. to find solutions that can be generalized to the problems of
traditional habitat all over the Mediterranean basin, accepting
Globalism, considering a multisectorial approach to the rather that the definition of strategies and proposals of action
process in economic, social and environmental terms, not from will be conditioned by the specificities of each local context.
an exclusively technical or urbanistic viewpoint, defining an
integrated strategy that strikes a balance between enhancing
collective heritage and improving the populations quality of IV. Phases of the method
life.
The method is divided into five phases of action, according to
Coordination, aspiring, by calling for a definite context of which we can identify eight key stages or moments in the process.
public action, to a new framework of governability in which the
agents involved in rehabilitation (politicians, experts, social Political backing. The process begins with the political will to
agents, etc., as well as citizens) become involved in the process act (stage 1), which includes the making of the preliminary
and seek consensus as a basis for action as the true guarantee decisions (stage 2) required to appropriately organize and
of sustainability. manage the rehabilitation process: delimitation of the area of
intervention, decisions as to the nature of the actions to be
carried out and the definition of the framework of
governabilitythat is, the organization of the intervention of
the various agents involved in rehabilitation, and the
participation of inhabitants.
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will be agreed by social consensus and approved by the Action. This phase includes carrying out all the actions (stage
politicians; it will then, together with the proposed projects and 7) foreseen in the action plan (both urban planning actions and
policies, implement the appropriate legal and working specific projects for buildings, open space, etc.), and
instruments to undertake them. complementary measures of a social, economic or
environmental nature. In the case of building rehabilitation
projects, the RehabiMed Guide for the rehabilitation of
traditional buildings will be applied.
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I. Political Backing
Identification of problems
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I. Political Backing
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I. Political Backing
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I. Political Backing
Definition of the framework of governance economists, lawyers, geographers, etc., to ensure the necessary
and participation coordination and dialogue between the various viewpoints and
competences in the different stages in which it decisively
Governance is the framework of formal and informal rules intervenes (carrying out of the diagnosis, drafting of the action
(regulations, procedures, customs, etc.) that lay down the plan, etc.). The team will be closely related to the public
guidelines of interaction between the actors involved in a authorities and share its projects with social agents and citizens.
process of public decision-making. This is also, then, the case of The participation of the technical team is also vital in the follow-
a rehabilitation process such as we envisage. Governance is also up and coordination phases.
the body of mechanisms by means of which citizens and social The social agents (private companies, societies and civil
groups organize their interests, exercise their rights and associations, NGOs, public and private education and cultural
obligations, and act as mediators in disagreements. institutions, etc.) will participate in both the diagnosis phase
As explained above, the role of the public authorities is vital as and in strategic definition, presenting their expectations and
agents to promote and back the rehabilitation process. needs, expressing their interests and agreeing on them by
However, if it is to be successful, the process has to be managed consensus with the other agents. Their participation is also
by trained experts with the involvement of the other actors important in the action phase (private initiative, universities,
present in the territory, both inhabitants and other social groups etc.) in producing and carrying out projects and actions,
involved (private companies, shopkeepers associations, civil coordinating their own with public interests.
societies, etc.), since they all have to be identified and feel that The inhabitants and residents have an important role to play
they are participants in a collective project. in the entire process. As explained above, a rehabilitation
The aim of these rules of play, which in our case must also process involves a great deal of technical knowledge and
extend to the phases of analysis and action, is to guarantee the management, but it also has to be constructed with the
efficient interchange of information and initiatives between the participation of the territorys inhabitants, who ought to be the
territorys various actors. At local level, the disparity of first concerned. The exchange of information and initiatives has
perceptions is frequent. Governance that encourages the to take place between civil society and technical professionals,
sharing of perceptions among all local actors will therefore be taking the form of debates, surveys, meetings, etc., in the
crucial in advancing towards sustainability. different phases of the process (diagnosis, strategy and action).
The different groups of actors involved in the process are the Forms of participation may vary according to the context and
public authorities, the teams of experts, the body of social the social, technical and legislative conditioning factors of each
agents and the residents and users. country. The most difficult challenge is how to ensure that this
The public authorities, as explained above, will promote and potential becomes efficient participation that represents the
guarantee the entire rehabilitation process. Their role is vital body of inhabitants and social groups in the territory, a very vital
and has to involve the sensitization and involvement of the
different sectors of society. As representatives of the citizens as
a whole, they will be responsible for backing the different
phases of the process and recognising their viability, particularly
the joint diagnosis and the action plan, as the result of technical
work and popular expression. They will establish the most
regular dialogue with the technical team, which will inform
them of the evolution and results of the processs various
phases. In the first phase of the process, they will decide the
orientation and nature of the actions to be carried out in
accordance with the political approach and justification. This
initial decision, agreed by consensus with the technical teams,
may be modified after the completion of the analysis phase. The
authorities play a vital role in undertaking the projects and
policies laid out in the action plan and the evaluation phase.
The technical team (or teams, depending on the phase of the
process), made up of the administrations or external technical
professionals, will be commissioned with the management and
coordination of the process. The entire rehabilitation process is
a technically complex operation requiring a high level of
professionalism. The team may be made up of architects and The inhabitants play an important role in the entire process, as it is they who give
planners, but it also has to include engineers, sociologists, life to traditional architecture. / Baalbeck, Lebanon
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I. Political Backing
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II. Diagnosis
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II. Diagnosis
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II. Diagnosis
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II. Diagnosis
In both urban and rural contexts, we consider urbanistic critical systems and typological series, monuments, etc.) and of the
points to be areas with a large number of dwellings with organization of urban space for its value and significance
inadequate conditions of habitability, areas with excessive building throughout history.
or population levels, areas with a high presence of buildings in a In the rural territory, the analysis has to focus on landscape values
poor state of repair, areas with a high level of vacancy or (natural environment, farming structure, etc.) and the value not
abandonment, etc. These conditions appear simultaneously just of buildings and settlements, but of all auxiliary buildings and
(vacancy and degradation, inhabitability and degradation, etc.) infrastructures that humanize it, valuing their degree of
and it is important to relate them to other urbanistic or authenticity, artificialization and possible reuse.
socioeconomic variables (population income, diversity of
functions, accessibility, etc.). Construction and formal values
The study must graphically identify and reproduce the areas of Identification of the construction systems, materials, and stylistic
degradation and urbanistic tension, in the form of maps drawn to and composition resources of the buildings in the area of
show different combinations of aspects. intervention (form of the roof, openings in the faades,
projections, finishes, and doors and windows, etc.), as a basis for
Heritage values the definition of a good rehabilitation manual.
Identification of heritage values, taking into account the heritage The study can be organized by typologies and elements (roofs,
values characteristic of traditional architecturethat is, not from faades, structural elements, etc.), systematizing and ordering the
an exclusively historical and artistic viewpoint, but valuing this different types of solutions by periods, as applicable, which will
architecture as a testimony to the history of a society, ways of life then be explained graphically in detail (maps and photographs).
and forms of community, and in relation to the environment. The
identification of these values is important, as elements on which Mobility and accessibility
to base a policy to reclassify the area of intervention. Analysis of mobility in the area of action, due to the close relation
The analysis will be approached from three viewpoints and their with its morphological structure and the definition of
interrelation: the values of construction and residential typologies, infrastructures, both of the necessary and non-obligatory mobility
of open space and of the traditional structure of the area, of its residents, and the movements of external users. The study
identifying the different periods. must detect flows of mobility with the various means of transport
In an urban context, heritage analysis must include the values of and relate them to conditioning factors of accessibility and
public space (sequence of spaces, historical layouts, singular or integration of the area into larger-scale bordering territories.
monumental spaces, etc.), of buildings (singular complexes,
The analysis of structural data of the urban fabric allows us to define the conditions Comprehensive study of typologies prior to an evaluation of their adaptation
of transformation with greater respect for its singular historical characteristics. / to the new requirements of habitability / Special Plan for Toledo, Busquets
Study for the centre of Barcelona, Busquets
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II. Diagnosis
Demography
Analysis of the population structure of the area from different
viewpoints, paying particular attention to age groups and the
working capacity of the population and its level of education, and
the distribution by socioeconomic profiles and cultural groups. It is
also important to contemplate the effects of present-day and
historical migratory flows, and seasonal variations in population
due to factors such as tourism.
The demographic analysis has to be carried out in relation to the
territory, expressing in map form those areas with greater or lesser
density, and identifying the spatial implantation of the different
population groups, detecting cases of social segregation as a basis
for the development of social cohesion measures and policies.
Economic parameters
Analysis of parameters linked to economic activity, related both to
the presence of production activities and structures (presence and
importance by sectors, growth of economic activity, etc.) and to
the classification of the population (active population, level of
employment, type of employment by sectors, level of income
The identification of heritage values of typological systems and public spaces allows compared to other territories, etc.).
us to discuss the mechanisms of conservation and modification. / Special Plan for
Toledo, Busquets
Real-estate dynamics
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II. Diagnosis
Archaeology
Investigation of the archaeological heritage, an architectural or
stratigraphic testimony of the areas history. Archaeological
heritage must be listed as far as possible in order to be considered
under the regulations of urban intervention, as it may be an
important conditioning factor in the construction of new works or
infrastructures that involve radical transformation or the
demolition of old buildings, or the extraction of stratigraphic
deposits from the subsoil.
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II. Diagnosis
Natural landscape
Analysis of the territorys landscape values, identifying different
units, homogeneous areas (wood, irrigation crops, types of natural
spaces, etc.) and their fragmentation, existing biodiversity
(communities of fauna and flora), forms of protection of natural
spaces and systems of farming management (production typology,
degree of intensification, etc.), forestry and hydrography.
Environmental parameters
Analysis of environmental parameters and use of the territorys
natural resources, such as the management of the water cycle
(consumption, supply and quality), cycles of matter (supplies,
transport, etc.), waste management (production, composition,
treatment, rubble, farming, industrial, etc.) and energy flows
(networks and consumptions), and analysis of comfort parameters
(noise pollution, air pollution and thermal and lighting comfort).
Natural risks
Analysis of the past and present natural risks that affect the territory
(geological, flooding or seismic risk, erosion, desertification or forest
fires), evaluation of the impacts on the natural environment of
human activity (introduction of foreign activities, implantation of
industrial activities, impact of infrastructures that fragment the
territory, construction activity, presence of dumps, etc.) and
identification of the existence of preventive measures.
Historical studies have to identify the evolution of urban form. This plan shows the
superposition of the Hellenistic layout and the Muslim city in Damascus (Syria). /
Benevolo A study of values of the different types of landscape is fundamental in any
territorial analysis. / Irrigation channel in Manresa, UPC, Sabat
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II. Diagnosis
4 Integrated Diagnosis
Identification of the needs and expectations of residents
and users TOOL 8
Summary of potentials and dysfunctions of the area
Apart from the development of multisectorial studies, it is
important for the technical team to include the contributions of The drafting of the document summarising the diagnosis, the
the body of social agents and residents in the area of intervention integrated diagnosis, will fall to the technical team coordinating
to be able to address, with full knowledge and guaranties, the diagnosis and be written on the basis of the different studies
reflection on the problems affecting the area (conditions of carried out and the contributions of the different actors in the
habitability, quality of life, comfort, accessibility, real-estate territory, normally integrated into the various sectorial studies.
opportunities, need for services, heritage valorization, etc.) and The objective of the technical team, in view of its multidisciplinary
complement the technical approach with the expression of its make-up, is to guarantee a balance between the physical and
inhabitants experiences and expectations. socioeconomic aspects of rehabilitation, moving from
The technical team has to plan the management of the multisectorial views to a single, integrated approach that aspires
inhabitants and social agents contributions in the form of to a degree of globalization of the situations and the mechanisms
consultations, public debates or sectorial meetings on specific that produce them.
issues (public space, mobility, services, housing, etc.), in On the basis of the analysis of the various sectorial studies and
coordination, for example, with the drafting of technical studies. contributions, the technical team will draw up a summary that
The combination of the technical analysis and the viewpoints identifies the critical points of the area, with both its potentials
expressed by the inhabitants of the place should produce a shared (aspects that can facilitate the rehabilitation process and help to
interpretation of it, and make the body of agents aware of the enhance heritage) and its dysfunctions (aspects that are to be
plurality of the often unknown problems and aspects that affect improved by the rehabilitation process and that currently prevent
their living context. good functioning and a valorization of the heritage). Due to the
integrated approach of the summary, we believe that it should be
ordered and referred not to sectorial aspects (economic,
Attention to the needs and demands of the inhabitants and users of traditional
space may contribute data that could go unnoticed by technical analysis
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III. Strategy
5 Strategic Reflection
This stage of the process should lead, with reflection on the results
expressed in the integrated diagnosis (identifying the critical
points of the area of intervention), to the definition of a target
scenario of action that is politically, socially and economically
feasible. The limits of this reflection are established by a series of
criteria. The definition of scenarios will be based on consideration
of the strategic premisses and the primary objectives of
rehabilitation, and their evaluation in terms of the requirements of
viability (economic, juridical and social) in keeping with the
objectives of sustainable rehabilitation.
There is no single way of advancing, much less when we start out
from very different territorial contexts that are conditioned by the
most diverse physical, historical and socio-cultural realities. The
action plan, the strategy for action, will incorporate the target
scenario and define the series of projects and legal and
administrative changes to be carried out in order to achieve it in
an established timeframe.
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III. Strategy
A technical team, which may be the same one that worked on the Strategic premisses TOOL 10
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III. Strategy
service infrastructures and define quality open space (public space) the larger-scale territory (encouraging attractiveness and polarity,
that is suitable for collective appropriation and sociability. increasing the exchange of resources and information, etc.). A
well-managed tourist attraction generates investment in new
Valorization of cultural and natural heritage activities and employment and, as a result, reinforces the identity
The aim of rehabilitation must be to preserve the cultural and and self-esteem of the people who live there.
natural heritage of the area of interventionthat is, transmit
societys collective memory, taking into account its adaptation to Environmental efficiency
new requirements and demands. The strategy has to opt for Rehabilitation cannot only consider environmental criteria in the
rehabilitating built space and constructions that can be adapted to rehabilitation of buildings; the latter bear a clear relation to the
new needs, readapting typologies and structures if necessary, and configuration and transformation of the urban form
even according them a new and different function to the original, (management of flows and infrastructures, mobility, arrangement
reconciling the heritage values to be preserved and new values of of typologies, etc.). It is important to bear in mind not just the
use. On the scale of the territory, this requires the definition of a durability of natural resources (use of materials, energy efficiency,
model that reassesses the natural and heritage resources of each management of the water cycle, etc.) but also the prevention of
place, making it resistant to transformation processes and environmental dangers and the control of natural and
providing it with a structure that can accommodate new technological risks.
requirements.
One of the major challenges facing historic enclaves is how to harmoniously The orderly, integrated management of waste within the singularities of historical
combine the dynamics of tourism with their residential function. / Sidi Bou Said, space is one of the key issues addressed by an environmental approach. / Barcelona
Tunisia
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III. Strategy
construction, etc.), which may endanger the continuing survival of Choosing the target scenario
heritage. It is therefore a question of assessing, on the basis of
reflection about compared and contrasted impacts or overall cost Having chosen the most suitable scenario of action for the area,
(social, economic and environmental costs), which scenario allows taking into account criteria of coherence and viability, the next
us to optimize the balance between the different requirements, step is to define the content of the rehabilitation strategy, the
accepting that it is practically impossible to satisfy all of them. action plan, which will allow us to carry through the actions.
Secondly, evaluation of the viability of the scenario will consider The rehabilitation strategy will be defined by two conditions of
economic and juridical viability and the possibilities of social action on the area: the physical transformation projects, which
acceptance. A better scenario, with greater coherence or define the degree of intervention on the physical territory, and
likelihood of sustainability, may be discarded due to economic complementary sectorial policies, referring to the degree of
reasons or on the grounds of juridical unviability and be replaced complexity of the actions or policies about the population and the
by a scenario that provides partial, less coherent responses. It is, social environment.
then, important to strike a balance between the different decision- The actions and projects for the physical transformation of the
making factors, choosing those scenarios that allow a greater territory may range from the smaller scope of environmental
degree of coherence and durability with the lowest financial cost rehabilitation, based on actions and projects affecting the exterior
and the highest level of social acceptance. image of the buildings and open space (what we might refer to,
This phase of evaluation has to involve all agents. Although both in an urban context, as urban landscape operations), to conditions
the definition of scenarios and the final decision will depend on of integrated rehabilitation, which develop projects that affect all
technical factors and therefore fall to the technical team, the aspects of the urban morphology (improvement of infrastructures,
scenarios may provide the basis for discussion at meetings and creation of new spaces, insertion of new architectures, etc.), or
public presentations. These meetings may be the opportunity, for two intermediate conditions, typological or structural
example, to assess the degree of social acceptance of the rehabilitation.
proposals, one of the requisites for the evaluation of the scenarios. The complementary sectorial policies may range from non-
existencethat is, total reliance on urban planning action (in
some of the previous conditions)to global policies that include
all kinds of social, economic and environmental policies, including
all the intermediate degrees between.
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III. Strategy
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III. Strategy
Drafting of the Rehabilitation Action Plan that organize architecture, open space and their possible
functions. In a rural context, the uses defined will not
The action plan will be drafted by the technical team and, though compromise the environmental and landscape quality of the
it must be validated by political decision, which has to accept and natural setting (recreation, culture, etc.);
implement it, it must also be backed by maximum social list the criteria of modification of the territorial structure and
consensus.. built space (growth, creation of new open spaces, modification
of heights and building levels, depths, alignments, etc.). On the
Specification and quantification of the actions territorial scale, it will define a model that, based on the
to be carried out specificity of each place, makes it resistant to transformation
processes and provides it with a structure that can
The actions to be carried out will be divided into three main areas: accommodate new requirements;
actions to transform the structure of the area (urban planning define the criteria for the transformation of the form of open
itself), the specific projects for buildings and open space, and the spaces. In an urban context, the influence of historic layouts,
complementary sectorial policies or measures (the body of social, interrelation between morphology and typologies, etc., and in
economic and environmental measures required to guarantee the rural territories, modification of the landscape and the territory
true sustainability of the rehabilitation intervention). (paths, fields, potential vegetation, etc.);
define the criteria of development and replacement of
Actions to modify the structure of the territory infrastructures and services. In the rural territory, it will establish
The plan specifies which actions to modify the structure of the criteria for the careful superposition of new infrastructures that
territory will be carried out (freeing up of space, adjustment and do not compromise the functioning of existing paths and water
updating of functions, creation of new infrastructures, control systems, adapting them to the demands of competitive
improvement of accessibility, etc.). The actions must address a agriculture;
gradual, ongoing modification rather than fast and sudden define the criteria of relation with bordering areas and
transformation. These actions will be implemented by urban territories (accessibility, degree of continuity and suture
planning instruments. The plan will: between the historic and the bordering territory) and insertion
into larger-scale territories, be it city or region.
define suitable forms of protection for the structure of the
territory and its built environment; Intervention projects based on architecture and open space
specify appropriate uses and activities, assessing the relations The action plan will list which buildings are to be conserved and
The action plan has to define a suitable mobility strategy (accessibility, car parks, Open space plays just an important role as building in the configuration of urban
hierarchy of streets, etc.) that respects the conditions of the historical environment. space. / Plan for Toledo, Busquets
/ Plan for Toledo, Busquets
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III. Strategy
which rehabilitated/transformed or demolished. It will also rural contexts, according to different units of landscape
indicate projects for new constructions and for the urban planning (woods, fields, etc.) and in accordance with the specificities of
or reclassification of open space. The criteria governing these each place (implantation of auxiliary buildings, construction of
projects will be taken from the corresponding bodies of walls, embankments, etc.);
legislation: specific ordinances and rehabilitation manuals. The define the formal and compositional criteria that are to govern
action plan will: projects in open space.
list the criteria for rehabilitation (and transformation) of Complementary sectorial policies
buildings, their formal configuration (residential typological Complementary policies must be specified in order to guarantee
configuration, typological regulation of buildingspatios, judicious rehabilitation according to socioeconomic and
stairs, structure, etc.) and their compositional and formal environmental criteria. This involves listing the social policies to be
components (regulations for faade composition, types of carried out (social cohesion, combating poverty, promoting
openings, projections, form of roof, use of materials and citizenship, literacy, health campaigns, etc.), economic initiatives
finishes, etc.), and the conditions for partial demolition and the (commercial reactivation, professional training, promotion of
addition of new volumes; employment, management of tourism, etc.) and environmental
define the criteria for the insertion of new architectures (to proposals (waste management, water cycle management,
replace buildings that are in an advanced state of deterioration, efficient energy management, etc.). Experience has shown that
functionally unsuitable, etc., or in empty spaces produced by interventions based solely or mainly on the rehabilitation of
demolition). Regulations should not be too restrictive, allowing buildings or urban planning action without foreseeing
the construction of contemporary architectures on the basis of complementary policies do not produce the expected results.
the particularities of the traditional context; Without this type of measures, stone takes priority over people.
define the criteria of mobility and accessibility (vehicle access,
pedestrian areas, etc.) in keeping with the singular Definition of appropriate legal instruments TOOL 13
Ordinances specifying modules and full-empty relations in new construction The ordinances must define the systems of transformation of the various built
on the basis of existing architectural elements. / Malo, Italy typologies in order to adapt them to new conditions of habitability. / Study for the
centre of Barcelona, Busquets
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III. Strategy
Specific ordinances Rehabilitation manuals describe the intervention solutions for traditional
It will be necessary to draw up some specific by-laws to regulate construction elements. / Manuale de Roma
Rehabilitation manual
A rehabilitation manual must be drafted to bring together all the
technical characteristics, systems and construction solutions used
in the traditional architecture present in our area of action and
propose solutions for intervention in the different typologies,
elements, etc.
Just as urban planning instruments regulate the transformation of
the structure of the territory and ordinances govern the form of
buildings, the rehabilitation manual will summarise the criteria of
intervention on the smaller scale, taking into account the heritage
values of technical and construction aspects of the traditional
architecture of a place. Rehabilitation has to combine the initiative of the public administration with the
intervention of public and private social agents in the form of consortiums,
collaboration agreements, etc. / Nicosia, Cyprus
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III. Strategy
Training strategy
All rehabilitation processes have to be accompanied by a series of
complementary measures to guarantee their success. By
complementary measures, we refer for example to the creation of
policies to train professionals from different fields who are
sensitized to traditional heritage and workers who are qualified in
this type of architecture (materials, construction systems, etc.).
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III. Strategy
Mechanisms of participation
The plan will define how information is to be presented about the
design and definition of the proposed projects (particularly public
projects) and how they might include contributions made by
means of consultations or other participation strategies.
The action plan will be presented to civil society, who may then
make its contributions. Once agreed by social consensus, the
political powers will endorse its content and viability, and pass it for
implementation.
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IV. Action
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Action
incentive to the development of more investment and an obsolete construction, classification of new open spaces, etc.)
interventions, further reinforcing the feeling of identity and self- may be public and private initiatives with the corresponding
esteem of the population. financing. When promoting the rehabilitation of private buildings,
the public administration should foresee mechanisms for grants or
subsidies.
Development of urban planning procedures
Building rehabilitation projects TOOL 17
This phase represents the carrying out of urban planning actions Rehabilitation projects for buildings to be conserved, whether
to modify the urban form and adapt it to present-day maintaining the initial use or reusing them for other purposes, will
requirements. Urban planning procedures, normally effected follow the criteria established in the RehabiMed Guide for the
alongside specific projects, will be public in initiative and rehabilitation of traditional buildings. The criteria defined in the
financing. guide are limited to planning guidelines and accompanying
It involves actions to modify the structure of the territory and rehabilitation ordinances. Particular attention to the legal
replace and modify buildings (vertical and horizontal demolition framework must be paid by rehabilitation work involving
and bringing down of height, elimination of obsolete construction typological changes and modification of volumes (partial
or superfluous volumes, freeing up of open space, ventilation of demolition, insertion of new volumes, etc.) and elements such as
patios, etc.), actions to transform open space (creation of new faades, roof, etc. Optimum rehabilitation also requires attention
streets, modification of alignments, etc.) and actions to improve to the rehabilitation manual corresponding to the area, which will
infrastructures (electrical, drainage infrastructure, etc.). TOOL 18 list the rehabilitation conditions of the rehabilitation areas
construction systems, and formal and stylistic elements of the
typologies.
Development of specific projects
Projects for the insertion of new buildings TOOL 15
Specific projects carried out alongside urban planning action New architecture projects will mainly be carried out by private
(creation of new buildings on land freed up by the demolition of initiative, though the administration may also develop some (for
example in the case of some social dwellings or new facilities).
Projects for new buildings in traditional contexts have to respect
the conditioning factors stipulated by the specific ordinances
contained in planning (with regard to dimensions of openings,
heights, type of roof, etc.). Within the limits established by these
regulations, which should not be excessively restrictive, the
projects designed must be contemporary, based on an
In order to guarantee thoroughgoing revitalization of the built environment it is Building rehabilitation has to obey the guidelines marked out by the legal
often necessary to demolish parts of obsolete fabric, thereby freeing up space or framework (ordinances, manuals, etc.). / Cairo, Egypt
allowing new construction. / Barcelona
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IV. Action
understanding of the specificities of the place and its history and escape an environment that is often considered to be a symbol
shunning approaches that involve excessive codification, absolute of poverty.
indifference, radical imitation or historic distortion. Public Social policies, alongside actions to enhance and physically
buildings must be designed as good examples of this. revalorize the space, have to focus on combating social exclusion,
with special attention to the social processes produced by the
Urban planning projects and treatment of open space reclassification of urban or territorial environments, such as
TOOL 16 processes of gentrification or expulsion of the native population.
Rather than basing projects for new urban spaces on criteria of These processes are often inevitable but are counterproductive to
imitation of the compositional and ornamental elements of the guaranteeing the necessary cohesion and local identity unless they
historic city, they will be designed from a contemporary viewpoint, are addressed and remedied in time.
on the basis of a historic interpretation. The definition of open Social policies may include policies centring on housing, training,
spaces in rural contexts will pay particular attention to the employment, integration of excluded social groups, literacy,
landscape characteristics of the place. promotion of accessibility in buildings, etc.
Economic policies
Development of sectorial policies The integrated rehabilitation of a traditional environment calls for
the development of a series of economic policies that will give the
The complementary sectorial policies established in the action plan area an economic vitality that allows it to play a specific role on a
(social, economic and environmental) will be carried out. territorial scale. This role should make the most of the
opportunities offered by its historic singularity. The economic
Social policies revitalization of a traditional environment has to consider the
Social cohesion policies are normally a priority in rehabilitation diversification of functions and activities in order to guarantee a
interventions, since the simple transformation of the physical plural population with prospects for the future.
environment, though necessary, is not sufficient to guarantee the The economic policies may include commercial revitalization,
success of the process, as the population housed in traditional management of tourism, etc.
architecture tends to have greater problems of social segregation
or poverty, being the sector of population that has been unable to Environmental policies
These days, all rehabilitation interventions should be
complemented by an ambitious environmental policy that
guarantees the definition of an environmentally efficient territory.
Though many environmental parameters are conditioned by the
The insertion of new architectures not only has to respond to the specificities The poster reads: Renovating the street to make things better for you.
of the place; in the contemporary context, it has to make improvements The creation of pedestrian precincts is very necessary to revitalizing commerce
to the urban form a priority. / Barcelona in historic centres. / Cannes, France
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Action
Public space has to be recovered for citizens in keeping with the dynamization o The renovation and updating of urban infrastructures must be carried out alongside
f its use and the commercial and economic activities in the area of intervention. / building rehabilitation, ensuring their integration into the place without detracting
Barcelona from the values of traditional space. / Kairouan, Tunisia
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V. Monitoring
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V. Monitoring
The creation of a series of indicators is one possible mechanism for the evaluation
of actions.
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