Heritage: Theory and Practice

"Continuity and change are the keywords for this minor. The transformation of our built environment is of all ages and is currently an urgent design task."

In this minor you will learn to develop concepts for the transformation of buildings, urban areas and public spaces. The basis for these interventions is a historic analysis of the site and knowledge of architectural history. The challenge is to preserve monumental values, existing qualities and the sense of place while giving way for an intervention that allows for a new function and prepares a site for an up-to-date use. Studies of heritage and other subjects form an important framework.

What is heritage? Why do we preserve things from the past? How can we make responsible decisions about what to keep and what to change? This course provides students with a framework to understand and discuss built heritage within a rapidly evolving society. We will explore the theoretical foundations and historical development of the heritage field, both domestically and globally. The course also explores a wide range of issues of conservation, such as adaptive reuse, climate change, urbanization, identity, and interpretation. Lectures will integrate theory with practice, offering diverse cultural perspectives and multidisciplinary insights.