Vernacular Architecture and Cultural Identity in Shrinking Rural Settlements

Global rural depopulation threatens vernacular architecture, eroding both material and immaterial cultural values. A comparative study of southern China, Morocco (including the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou), and Spain reveals shared challenges in shrinking settlements—such as adaptation difficulties, administrative distance, and heritage fragility—while also highlighting region-specific conditions. The research demonstrates how endangered cultural heritage can serve as a catalyst for territorial revitalization, offering solutions for conservation, valorization, and socio-cultural problem-solving. By analyzing typological elements unique to each region, the study identifies universal aspects of shrinkage while providing insights into localized strategies for preservation.

Gómez Martínez, V., Ma, G., Pellegrini, P., & Reimão Costa, M. (2022). Vernacular Architecture and Cultural Identity in Shrinking Rural Settlements. ACE: Architecture, City and Environment, 17(50). https://doi.org/10.5821/ace.17.50.11389