Some Insights into the Theory and Practice of Heritage Ecology: Grasping the Bio-physical and Socio-historical Dynamism of the Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou

Abstract

This paper explores the theoretical and practical implications of characterizing heritage as an active and creative element of cultural landscape; specifically, as a spatial technique which plays a fundamental role in the bio-physical and socio-cultural process we call human ecology. We establish four analytical coordinates in order to better appreciate and handle the ecological dimension of heritage, among which are, besides the variable of material originality, the structural integrity of landscape, its functional continuity, and its value as representation and experience. We also suggest three levels for heritage aesthetics analysis, centered on the aesthetics of the technical-ecological process, the development of memory of urban ecology, and the experience of ecological space. The analysis of the restoration process of the Hangzhou hydrological heritage is used to illustrate the application of these concepts and methodology to communicate the active character of heritage in space, and the dynamism of landscape as an experience.

Keywords

• ecologia del patrimoni
• ecologia del paisatge cultural
• patrimoni hidrològic
• hidrologia de hangzhou