Harnessing the hidden potential of cities - NIKU

In Search of Alternative Routes/Roots: Sustainable development as
emancipation
PatrICIa aNaHOry
Abstract
Presentation 2
The main objective of this presentation is to contribute towards a broader definition of cultural heritage
production. It will present the results of the first survey of housing architecture in Cape Verde. This
research project aims to recognise the importance of socio-cultural and spatial practices of everyday life
and the production of anonymous architecture as heritage. Usually studies of heritage have focused on
the preservation of the hegemonic voice of the official history. In countries with long period of colonisation,
such as Cape Verde, cultural heritage projects have focused on the preservation of the relics of
the Portuguese legacy to the detriment of other possibilities of memory construction. This is the case of
Cidade Velha, which in 2009 became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While recognising the importance
of this material (architectural) patrimony, we hope to add other perspectives to the discussion of heritage
and development. We understand that the (re)affirmation of identity is an important and essential
step towards development as emancipation. The presentation will explore how research and the valorisation
of unofficial histories can play a central role in the consolidation of memory and identity. In conclusion,
our intention is to address possible paths towards sustainable development as emancipation.
For technical reasons a paper could not be made available for this report.
48 harnessing the hidden potential of cities report from the oslo workshop