The setting of architectural heritage: a research project

Alongside the substantial transformation of the concept of architectural heritage, the models, strategies and tools that promote their protection, have also been subject to significant changes over time. Simultaneously, and also in an inevitable way, the settings has been taking a progressive and predominant role in the protection and the criteria that mediate the interventions in the architectural heritage. The most recent heritage charters and recommendations refer to the importance of settings - extended to the concept of “place” - to the meaning of cultural heritage and therefore the need to develop tools to promote their conservation and management. This article presents a research proposal that aims to reflect on this theme: the setting of architectural heritage. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide a critical platform, to contribute actively to the need for reflection on the Special Protection Zones of classified heritage, particularly on its boundaries. This purpose will be based on developing three main research lines: the interpretation of the territorial relations of the built heritage, the identification and characterization of special protection zones that exist in Portugal and the comparative study of different European experiences in the protection of settings of cultural heritage.