Assessment and protection of heritage values: methods for the interpretation and preservation of visual integrity applied to the Trulli of Alberobello management plan.

Ref.: 236
Key theme: 03 Visual integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 30/10/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

MONDINI, Giulio * (Italy) - Polytechnic of Turin
DONGIOVANNI, Arianna (Italy) - SiTI - Istituto Superiore su Sistemi Territoriali per l'Innovazione
RE, Alessio (Italy) - SITI ­ Istituto Superiore su Sistemi Territoriali per l'Innovazione
SOLDANO, Silvia (Italy) - SITI ­ Istituto Superiore su Sistemi Territoriali per l'Innovazione
VALLE, Marco (Italy) - SITI ­ Istituto Superiore su Sistemi Territoriali per l'Innovazione

ABSTRACT

Views play an essential role in the values assessment of the historical environment and of its integrity. This document explains which evaluations have been applied in order to define the guidelines for the strategies included into the management plan of the Trulli of Alberobello (Italy), at present in drafting phase by SiTI.
This site is inscribed, as a remarkable example of prehistoric drywall buildings, into the World Heritage List of UNESCO since 1996 (criteria(iii), (iv) and (v)).
There are multiple heritage values attached to this place, all of which should influence management decisions. The starting point has been the identification of the ensemble of the recognized values with universal significance, as well as of the cultural values complementary to them.
Among these, the urban context where the historic groups of the site, the "Aia Piccola" and the "Rione Monti", are located gains particular relevance. Moreover, the diffusion of the drystone typology on the surrounding territory, the Itria Valley, allows to define real landscape values on a territorial scale.
UNESCO, in application of the principles written into the 1972 Convention, is concerned to ensure that the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage Sites is not adversely affected by pressure for continuing development, particularly in urban locations.
In this specific case, the urban development that occurred during the last years and the still strong pressures on the development (in 2006 the Murgia of trulli was inserted between the sites in danger by the World Monument Fund) increase the necessity to put in evidence, while editing the management plan, the definition of an appropriate buffer zone.
Zone that, in accordance with the art. 104 of the Operational guidelines for the implementation of the Convention, "(...) should include (...) important views and other areas or attributes that are functionally important as a support to the property and its protection(...)".
This issue includes the assessment of the compatibility criteria for the inclusion of new architectural elements dictated by the current needs of the site, primarily related to the tourists reception. This aspect has to be dealt with by the predisposition of specific methodologies for the assessment of the level of interference of new projects with the values of the site and their integrity and authenticity.
Therefore, as stated in the recent meeting in Davos, examining the conditions of integrity requires to verify that the buffer zone includes all necessary tools, including visual ones, to protect the outstanding universal values.
The approach followed in the Trulli of Alberobello management plan, related to these subjects, is intended to highlight the historic context and to preserve the possibility of understanding and appreciation of the site significance within views.
The purpose is, even trough the use of virtual simulations referred to the site and its landscape, to establish a baseline against which to judge the impact of proposals upon heritage significance and, consequently, to design an instrument able to assist local planning authorities in the development of spatial planning policy related to the protection and enhancement of views.

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