Vernacular and World Heritage sites: criticality and challenging for the conservation, awareness, and transmission of heritage values

The paper investigates the management and enhancement issues of World Heritage Sites which are characterized by groups of buildings with non-monumental characteristics, being part of what is commonly known as vernacular heritage. The tangible and intangible values of the vernacular architecture constitute a precious heritage that cannot be neglected, by virtue of the deep relationship with locally available resources and the contribution they offer in terms of cultural diversity and sustainable development. The 3D Past project, funded by the EU in the Creative Europe program, had as its main objectives to investigate and disseminate, through interactive and digital tools, the values of WH properties characterized by vernacular architecture. Starting from the experience conducted by the 3D Past project, the paper will highlight criticalities and potentials, in the practices of safeguarding and managing WH properties characterized by vernacular architecture. In the last part of the paper, the experience of applying the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) as a tool to protect the values of vernacular heritage of a WHS is presented.