Beyond Restoration: Reflections for a New Transdisciplinary Paradigm

Abstract

In our cities there are many abandoned buildings and architectural details that, although not recognized as official Cultural Heritage, are essential to preserve the identity of places and citizens. As a result of the lack of specific protection measures and social changes, we are losing many of these leftovers and, at the same time, part of our collective memory. While the architectural restoration approach often cannot be adopted to preserve and enhance this heritage, the recent disciplinary debate developed in this area provides many interesting insights to address the issue. In particular, it is necessary to understand what value leftovers can have for citizens and how the use of technologies and migratory phenomena are changing the way people perceive urban spaces. Furthermore, considering the contributions to the understanding of these phenomena developed within different disciplines and the design proposals conceived in the field of architecture, design, and art, this chapter attempts to rethink the theoretical framework within which possible solutions to safeguard urban leftovers can be designed. In particular, the aim is to allow citizens to develop a new awareness of the value of the built environment for our common identity, here understood as a necessary premise for its enhancement.