2.1.1 What is Architectural Heritage
Heritage, as the name implies, refers to the legacy that was created and preserved in the past and hand over from one generation to another.Architectural heritage is a legacy that remains in the form of buildings or structures.Architecture in different times has its obvious distinguishing characteristics of aesthetics, technology and materials, which represent the time and local identity.It can best reflect human wisdom and bring great influence to bear on future generations.Different regional buildings have different forms, functions, materials, techniques and other characteristics which form an important representative of a local culture.Therefore, historic architecture is recognized as an important sector in the heritage field, due to its unique attributes, values and significance.
The Athens Charter[1]of 1931 regulated the general principles, administrative and legislative measurement of historic monuments for the first time.The ICOMOS[2]Venice Charter[3]in 1964 extended the scope of architectural heritage from individual monuments to historic settings, which respected their integrity attribute.European Charter of the Architectural Heritage in 1975 emphasized the value of those structures considered to be a lesser buildings group, believed architectural heritage includes “not only of our most important monuments: it also includes the groups of lesser buildings in our old towns and characteristic villages in their natural or manmade settings.”[4]UNESCO[5]Nairobi Recommendation[6]of 1976 developed architectural heritage to be the spatially and culturally connected built and natural framework which includes “any groups of buildings, structures and open spaces including archaeological and paleontological sites, constituting human settlements in an urban or rural environment, the cohesion and value of which, from the archaeological, architectural, prehistoric, historic, aesthetic or sociocultural point of view are recognized.”[7].The ICOMOS Washington Charter[8]of 1987 indicated the content of architectural heritage: urban patterns; relationships between buildings and open spaces; formal appearance, interior and exterior of buildings; the relationship between the town or urban area and its surrounding setting.[9]
Therefore, Architectural heritage includes not only the single outstanding buildings, but also the whole areas which includes less important building groups, sites and surroundings.From a building to its related environment, from a singly structure to groups, from historic sites to whole historic areas, the process of definition development reflects the changing concept of architectural heritage conservation which involves the attributes of authenticity, integrity and continuity as well (Fig.2-2).
Figure 2-2.Scope of Architectural Heritage(https://www.daowen.com)
Furthermore, the relationship between the architectural heritage and other related terms is complicated.From the development of the terms and their definitions, the denotation and connotation of cultural heritage was changed.“The term of cultural heritage gradually incorporated almost every trace of the past (first objects and monuments, then cities, landscapes, species and even human communities).” In the earlier stages of the policy documents, objects and monuments were the aims of cultural heritage protection, then the scope was enlarged to the group and area, the cities, until finally historic urban landscape, which are a complex synthesis that include historical heritage, species and human environment.The scope of architectural heritage is also enlarged from the single building to its environment, to a group of buildings, to historical sites, surroundings and greater areas of significance.At the same time, architectural heritage embraces not only the outstanding structures and buildings, but also the less important buildings and surrounding area.
Figure 2-3.The Relationship between Architectural Heritage and Related Terms
Additionally, architectural heritage belongs within a broader subject of tangible cultural heritage because of its physical attribute.It is obviously the monuments and cultural properties of every country.However, the techniques, wisdom, aesthetics, lifestyle, creation story and cultural connotation behind the architectural heritage are all related to an intangible heritage which forms an essential element, constitute the whole cultural atmosphere of these historic buildings and surroundings.Therefore, the content among these terms are overlapping and interpenetration, their relationship is an interactive and dynamic process, which together promotes the diversity of cultural heritage (Fig.2-3).