ABSTRACT
When people talk of built heritage, generally, they refer to the legacy of the ancient world. But the vernacular-built-heritage of the common people, which is still alive around the world, is as important and priceless as that from the ancient world.
The vernacular buildings have evolved over millennia through their use. Hence, they have been in close harmony with the local climate patterns and natural phenomena like earthquakes, cyclones, etc. They depend on the local materials and local skills, hence, are viable in most parts of the world. Today the most important aspect of these buildings is the fact that they have near zero carbon-foot-print.
Unfortunately, vernacular buildings have poorly performed in recent disasters due to difficulties in accessing important materials and dilution of the construction technology. Hence, in recent decades, in the name of permanence, the building professionals and the establishment have started rejecting them in favour of modern building technologies with high carbon footprint which have become status symbol. This could lead to their extinction before long.
But the Vernacular Heritage can be saved if efforts are made to synthesise them with the modern science and materials to improve their performance instead of rejecting them. This in turn will bring back their status and appeal to the masses as well as the professionals. This demands their inclusion in education and research by leading education institutions around the world.
