ABSTRACT
Public history is a communal treasury of the memories of a people, expressed through oral tradition, written account, art, and even patterns of use. These memories are more than the accumulated stories of past events: they are chosen and filtered remembrances, revealed and prioritized in light of and in response to present-day circumstances. Historical narratives are, in fact, conversations about current cultural issues – such as technological, economic, political, or religious concerns – set against a constructed past. Collective memory can be a rich resource for planners and designers who understand its dialogical character. It is worth noting that the architecture of 2011 Pritzker Prize winner Souto de Moura has been cited especially for its responsiveness and attention to local history and social issues. Public history research, properly done, is an especially powerful tool both for students at the beginning of their careers and for experienced professionals.
