Resilience and intangible heritage of vernacular architecture

This paper aims to point out the resilience capacity that vernacular architecture has in its origins due to its continuous evolution over time, and its ability to adapt to the new established ecosystems after shocks and disasters. Furthermore, this paper investigates the contribution of the local building cultures on reducing the vulnerabilities of the urban and rural settlements of today. Indigenous knowledge can enhance resilience of social-ecological systems as this knowledge, accumulated through experiences, has demonstrated the ability to deal with complexity and changing of environmental factors. Unfortunately indigenous knowledge is not still adequately recognised as an instrument into the realm of science. With this present paper we aim to increase the awareness of learning resilient design principles from vernacular architectural culture and re-interpreting them in establishment of new urban strategies for the future cities. In particular, this research is deepened by examples carried out in Mediterranean region.