The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation was invited to take part in the International Symposium “Cultural Landscapes, Traditional Knowledge, and Climate Change”, held on April 28, 29, and 30 at the Seville headquarters of the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH). This event was part of the PACTO project, led by the IAPH and funded by the Fundación Biodiversidad, within the framework of the grant program supporting projects that contribute to the implementation of the 2023 National Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
The Foundation took part in the panel discussion “Seeds for a Fair and Sustainable Ecosocial Transition: Experiences from the Territory”, where it shared its experience in the recovery, teaching, and application of traditional building techniques as effective tools to address contemporary ecological challenges. Its contribution highlighted the essential role that knowledge linked to building crafts plays not only in the conservation of heritage, but also in the regeneration of cultural landscapes and the development of more sustainable ways of living.
The symposium brought together around fifty national and international experts in intangible heritage, cultural landscapes, and climate change, including representatives from public administrations, scientific institutions, and communities that safeguard traditional knowledge. Throughout the sessions, the relevance of inherited knowledge in shaping and maintaining landscapes was underscored, as well as its applicability in the current context of climate emergency.
The program also included a technical visit to the winegrowing landscape of Jerez de la Frontera, where participants had the opportunity to observe firsthand the application of traditional agricultural practices related to viticulture. The symposium concluded with a participatory workshop aimed at validating criteria that may be useful for the National Cultural Heritage Plans concerning intangible heritage, cultural landscapes, traditional architecture, and heritage education.
