La salvaguardia del patrimonio antropico e naturale Palestinese: pratiche di resistenza culturale e nuovi paradigmi ambientali

Abstract

Within a rather limited geographical expanse, the occupied Palestinian territory1 is incredibly rich in terms of built heritage, anthropic structures, and urban history as well as being home to some of the most ancient and symbolic cities in the world (Hebron, Jericho, Bethlehem, East Jerusalem, etc.). As a result of recent political unrest, the area has suffered a drastic drop in the economy and tourism industry, the destruction of the landscape, and the ever increasing real-estate development pressure placed on the historic centres. Therefore, it is a priority to draw positive international attention to this heritage in order to understand the profound reasons for this phenomenon and the possible direction to take for its safeguarding. The primary objective of this issue of EdA is to bring to attention the value and quality of the built historic heritage of Palestine, which is still not widely recognized or studied, and to present a selection of projects and significant plans, realized or ongoing, which constitute its regeneration and revitalization. The conservation of the built heritage is presented as an objective essential to planning. Therefore, it is necessary to go beyond the restrictions of a limited disciplinary area (e.g. building restoration) and to embrace an “urban” approach which frames the problems within the geopolitical, social and cultural context of the historic Palestinian urban centres.