EAAE Conservation Network Workshop
CONSERVATION / SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto
21-24 September 2022

Intro

Workshop “Conservation/Sustainable Design” In a world marked by an unprecedented consumption of resources, the cycle of the continuous demolition-replacement of constructions has irreversible cultural, environmental and social consequences, recently aggravated by a global pandemics and climate change.
As stated in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UNESCO, 2016), every effort must be made to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage (Goal 11.4). The adoption by the UNESCO General Assembly of the “Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape” (2011) also reiterates the urgent need for an integrated approach to heritage resources, based on the demand for more sustainable urban development models.
The European Commission is actively engaged in addressing these global challenges through programmes such as the Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus. These agendas focus on increasing sustainability, resilience and inclusivity in the built environment, together with the maintenance of high-quality design standards (Davos Baukultur Quality System, ICOMOS European quality principles for EU-funded interventions with a potential impact upon cultural heritage).
The European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE) is fully aligned with these policies as stated at the Deans’ Summit “Change the game – take responsibility – nurture sustainability – change the world” (2021) and at the EAAE “Sustainable Development Goals Workshops” (2021/2022) which addressed architectural education and research within the urgent demands of climate change and sustainable development.
The EAAE Conservation Network Workshop to be held in 21-24th September 2022 proposes to reflect on these worldwide challenges, by examining the specific case of the city of Porto as a starting point for a broader debate on other international examples. Twenty-five years after being listed as World Heritage (1996), the Historic Centre of Porto (and the city as a whole) came under great pressure due to rising tourism and real estate speculation, which have arisen debates on its possible impacts on the loss of population, as well as on the authenticity and integrity of the listed area. However, effects of the pandemics (namely the restrictive health measures) have forced to rethink the previous development model largely focused on tourism.
This present-day scenario calls thus for reflection about life, management and intervention in urban settlements, including those included on the World Heritage List (and others of national and local recognition) towards sustainable and integrated management strategies, resilient to the rapid changes and to the emerging defies.
Fifteen years have now passed since the 1st EAAE-Conservation Network Workshop in Genoa (2007) on the subject of ‘Teaching Conservation/Restoration of the Architectural Heritage: Goals, Contents and Methods’. The workshop in Porto will also include a round-table for sharing experiences on lessons learned in the last years while tackling the current global challenges as crucial key factors for the future consolidation and sustainability of the Conservation Network.

Topics

The Workshop “Conservation/ Sustainable Design” intends to foster discussion on different levels of conflict existing nowadays in historic cities, using the Historic Centre of Porto as starting point for a broader discussion in groups on the following main topics.
1- Heritage Conservation versus Urban Development
The balanced integration between Heritage Conservation and Urban Development is one of the most prominent challenges in historic cities, as stated in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (2011). Which are the methodologies, tools, and strategies to achieve more sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban management/ conservation practices?
2- Contemporary Design versus Pre-existing Features
The relation between ‘new and old’ has always been one of the major defies for architectural design in historic cities, either relating to urban voids or to pre-existent structures. Which are the quality principles for architectural heritage intervention, promoting integration of new design with pre-existing features while respecting authenticity and cultural values?
3- Traditional versus Innovative Technologies
While traditional solutions are generally more compatible with pre-existing structures, they are not always feasible because of the availability of materials, know-how, regulation standards, etc. How to foster compatible interventions and respond to the current demands for sustainability (energy efficiency, low carbon emissions, materials recycling, etc.) in management, conservation and maintenance plans?

Workshop Programme: 21-24th September 2022

1st day – Registration and Plenary Session (Faculty of Architecture)
16.00. Plenary session
João Pedro Xavier (Dean Faculty of Architecture), Stefano Musso (EAAE Conservation Network), Pedro Baganha (Municipal Council)
16.15. Introduction to Porto; Management and Sustainability Plan of the Historic Centre of Porto
Rui Loza (Consultant Municipal Council of Porto; Coordinator of the Management Plan)
17.00. Introduction to Guimarães
Ricardo Rodrigues (Municipal Council of Guimarães)
17.30. Workshop Presentation “Conservation/ Sustainable Design”
Teresa C. Ferreira (University of Porto)
17.45. Wrap up & closing remark
Loughlin Kealy
Cocktail FAUP

2nd day – Study Trips (Guimarães-Porto)
9.00. Departure to Guimarães (FAUP)
10.00. Visit to the Historic Centre of Guimarães
12.30. Free lunch in the Historic Centre of Guimarães
13.30. Departure to Porto
14.30. Visit to the Historic Centre of Porto
17.00. Six bridges cruise
18.30. Wine, taste & fado
19.30. Social Dinner

3rd day – Group Discussions (Faculty of Architecture)
9.00. Group discussion
13.00. Lunch & visit to the Faculty of Architecture
14.30. Group discussion
17.00. Round table. ‘Recent challenges on education and research in conservation’ (what, who, how)
Free evening

4th day – Conclusions (Faculty of Architecture)
9.00. Group Discussion
11.00. Plenary Session: Presentations & Conclusions

Scientific Committee

Loughlin Kealy (Emeritus Professor, University College Dublin, Co-coordinator of EAAE Conservation Network)
Stefano Francesco Musso (Professor, University of Genoa, Co-coordinator of the EAAE Conservation Network, University of Genoa)
Rodica Crisan (Emeritus Professor, Ion Mincu University, Bucharest)
Donatella Fiorani (Professor, University Sapienza, Rome)
Giovanna Franco (Professor, University of Genoa)
Teresa Cunha Ferreira (UNESCO Chair, University of Porto)

Organizing Committee (University of Porto)

Board of the Faculty of Architecture:
João Pedro Xavier
Teresa Calix

Local Organization:
Teresa Cunha Ferreira
Rui Fernandes Póvoas
Nuno Valentim
Joaquim Lopes Teixeira
Clara Pimenta do Vale
Ricardo Rodrigues
Domingas Vasconcelos
Pedro Murillo de Freitas
Tiago Trindade Cruz
David Ordóñez Castañón

Important dates

– Submission of abstracts and registration: 20h June 2022
– Acceptance of registration and abstracts: 15th July 2022
– Contribution payment: 30h July 2022
– Workshop: 21-24th September 2022