ABSTRACT
The analysis of the values, according the architectural heritage, mainly takes into account the ‘historical’ value, the ‘architectural’ or ‘aesthetic’ value, the ‘scientific’ value, the ‘social’ and the ‘spiritual’ values (UNESCO and international charters). It seems necessary to expand the criteria to be more directly keyed to the implementation of sustainable development as that envisaged here. In this, the importance of potentials and human, economic, environmental and cultural benefits of earthen architectures must be evaluated in the light of the following questions: the ‘why’ (what makes ‘sense’), but also for ‘whom’, ‘where’ and ‘how’. A clearer understanding, both epistemological (at the intersection of disciplines and sciences, and their contradictory issues), holistic (global), ethical and responsible (Jonas 1990) of what these architectures have brought to humanity in history, and of what they are still able to offer again for the future is essential, particularly with regard to:
− Their contribution to the urban revolution in history and up to modern times;
1 INTRODUCTION
It is worth considering that earthen architectures can still considerably contribute to the wellbeing of society. First, because of the high cultural significance they express on a wide range of tangible and intangible values of societies; and second, for their ability to address the shared goals of sustainable development, both global and local, and for social, economic, environmental and cultural matters, in a variety of natural and cultural contexts of the world. Seen in this light, considering the ‘detour’ through the past, to go “towards a new future”, as proposed by Michael Lowy and as the concept of the Hegelian Aufhebung states (surpassing, rising of the ‘spirit’ of the building cultures for what concerns us), the move is both towards a ‘resignification’ and a ‘re-creation’ of earthen building cultures and architectures. It would therefore be suitable to facilitate their ‘creative reuse’ in the service of society and to support the humanistic purposes of the sustainable development (Serres 2003). Here are discussed the values of earthen
− Their adaptation and integration into natural environments with minimal impact, the absence of CO2, contributing to healthy and less polluting environments;
− The preservation of soil resources, which are useful and essential for agriculture;
− The saving of renewable and non-renewable resources (energy, minerals, water);
− The adaptation of earthen materials and technologies to the widest variety of climates of the planet;
− The access to decent housing for the greatest number of people, regardless of their origin or social class;
− The establishment of a built heritage that creates a cultural, economic and social wealth;
− A major contribution to the local economic development, on the full earth construction branches, by mobilizing the local workforce on a wide range of professions and jobs;
− The ability to convey the tangible and intangible values of local societies to strengthen their identities, to maintain social cohesion;
− The sustainability of the participatory and solidary approaches in the production of the living environments;
− The ‘gift’ of knowledge and craft skills, talents and creativity of workers, their dignity, and their pride, for the benefit of individuals and communities;
− The ability to stimulate human creativity in the field of crafts and arts;
…and many other inputs yet, that we will try to better surround.
