Community engagement

Abstract

The publication presents the results of the project ‘Versus-Heritage for People’, funded by the Creative Europe EU programme. The main aim of the project was to actively involve a broad audience and raise awareness among it concerning the value of vernacular knowledge in shaping more sustainable and resilient models of development. The material and immaterial elements constituting a vernacular heritage (encompassing local materials, construction methods, models for living and social interaction, technical and environmental knowledge for the management of territories, natural resources, settlements, etc.) have enormous potential for generating forward-thinking models that can improve the environmental and social quality of our habitats, foster a sense of identity and belonging, and relate in a balanced way to the capacities of our planet. The book explores strategies and tools for managing and transmitting knowledge and the values associated with vernacular heritage. It includes concrete examples and good practices for engaging people in processes of knowledge and the enhancement of vernacular heritage values for sustainability. The outcome is the result of the collaborative efforts between the five academic institutions involved in the project – Universitat Politècnica de València as coordinator (ES), University of Florence (IT), University of Cagliari (IT), CRAterre-ENSAG (FR) and Escola Superior Gallaecia at Universidade Portucalense (PT). A total of 63 authors, comprising both external scholars and professionals, contributed to the book.