The preservation of historical-artistic cities

Abstract

SUMMARY: I. Introduction. — II. The deterioration of the cities. Approach to the causes: 1. An inherited mentality. 2. The Law of Urban Leases. 3. The civilization of the automobile. 4. New social habits.5. Lack of means. — III. Insufficient remedies. The historical-artistic ensembles: 1. A different philosophy. 2. The surrounding context. 3. Contradictory actions. 4. The breadth of the monumental declaration. — IV. The Historical-artistic Heritage Commissions. Problems presented: 1. Restrictive conservation. 2. New buildings. 3. A dangerous subjectivism. 4. Attack on municipal autonomy. — V. Current state of affairs. — VI. Some specific questions: 1. Demolitions: a) What properties must be kept. B) Assumption of approval of new catalogs. C) The case of the monumental sets expressly declared. D) Powers of the local heritage commissions. E) Possibility of obtaining a demolition license for positive silence. F) Special case of properties declared in ruins. 2. New buildings: a) Licensing by silence. B) Accommodation to the environment. C) Prevalence of legislation. — VII. Towards the concept of positive conservation. - VIII. By way of conclusion: the new policy for the conservation of the historical-artistic heritage.