Versus +

The project “VerSus+ ? Heritage for PEOPLE” focuses on the transmission of knowledge to all branches of society and the general public. It pays special attention to the society of the future (children and young people) as well as local, regional and national authorities in charge of heritage management including specialists and experts in the field of architecture (architects, engineers, cultural managers, historians, ethnographers, university students, etc.) together with craftsmen and companies in the construction and tourism sectors, cultural and social associations and educational institutions.

This in-depth transmission of the lessons from vernacular heritage to future society is to be carried out in specific defined contexts, such as islands and archipelagos (geographically limited territories with accessible administrative, technical and social agents and collaborators), where vernacular heritage is under pressure, subjected to the transformations of contemporary life, in particular mass tourism.

Vernacular heritage is a tangible and intangible heritage of great importance to European and global culture. This architecture, born from the practical experience of local inhabitants, makes use of local materials to erect buildings taking into consideration the climate and geography, developing cultural, social and constructive traditions based on the conditions of the surrounding nature and habitat.

Above all it plays an essential role in contemporary society as it is able to teach us important principles and lessons for a respectful sustainable architecture. These lessons from vernacular heritage for contemporary architecture have been extensively studied in the project “VerSus: Lessons from Vernacular Heritage in Sustainable Architecture (grant 2012-2792/001-001 CU7 COOP7)” funded by the European Union between 2012 and 2014. Although this project had considerable repercussions for the European and international communities, the knowledge and awareness it provided need to reach the very heart of society in order to build awareness in all the sectors of the society that constitute the basis Universitat Politècnica de València – VerSus+ | Heritage for PEOPLE 3 for the conservation of the material and immaterial heritage as well as for a more sustainable architecture for the future.

Website: https://versus-people.webs.upv.es/