1.1.3 Cultural Sustainability of Architectural Her...
Culture is an abstract yet complicated term.English anthropologist, the founder of cultural anthropology Edward Burnett Tylor pointed out that “Culture or Civilization, taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”[7]In 1999, ICOMOS Burra Charter has highlighted that “Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations.Cultural significance is embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects.”[8]No doubt, architectural heritage is a kind of cultural heritage linked to the culture of humanity, which reflects the valuable in history, art, literature, philosophy and science.It is an irreplaceable resource for mankind to have the ability to study history and develop the future.Cultural heritage in the Dictionary of Chinese Cultural Heritage is defined as “a legacy of important historic value in both material and spiritual wealth created by human social practices in prehistoric and civilized times”[9], which implies that the cultural heritage has tangible and intangible attributes.Therefore, as a part of cultural heritage, architectural heritage is not only a material heritage, but also a property of intangible cultural heritage.The site selection ideology, layout plan, architectural form, material selection, construction technology and the stories that occurred in historical buildings, as well as the special cultural atmosphere generated by the influence of historical buildings on the surrounding are all tangible and intangible cultural elements.These cultures endow the buildings with infinite vitality in the continuous development of our society.Therefore, the sustainable development of architectural heritage requires both tangible and intangible cultural sustainability (Fig.1-3).
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Figure 1-3.Historic Buildings in Daming Lake of Jinan
However, under the pressure of urbanization, the sustainability of architecture heritage is a big issue.The destruction of the original surroundings, the unreasonable usage of the buildings and the reconstruction of architectural elements have caused the loss of the authenticity and its related tangible and intangible culture, finally leading to the completely loss of its value.Actually, without historical culture, architectural heritage is only a functional space with a historic form, accommodating a different type of usage.Once the function cannot adapt, the building will be replaced very easily.Especially for the special types of architectural heritage-historic personality’s residences, which are mostly common, potentially even shabby building spaces, without cultural sustainability, these residences may very easily be torn down due to the new requirements of urban construction.Therefore, allowing the heritage to remain tangible and related intangible culture in an urbanization context is the key to sustain architectural heritage and its value for our contemporary society.