The role of historical ambience in Historic Sites classifıcations

Abstract

The demarcation of urban areas (polygons) defining Historic Urban Sites emerged from the need to preserve artistic and historical values of cities that are increasingly undergoing changes in their urban forms. This preservationist need was institutionalized during the twentieth century, but it is part of a long historical process of appreciation of the urban heritage. This paper aims to discuss this process, highlighting the role of historical ambiences that compose the historic environments of our cities, mainly in the processes of polygon demarcations that define Historic Urban Sites, based on bibliographical and documentary research, that had as primary sources restorers theories developed over the centuries, the heritage documents (conventions, treaties, recommendations, resolutions, letters, guidelines, principles and heritage rules) and the rules, decrees, laws, and other regulatory instruments operating in Brazil since the early twentieth century. As a contribution, this work presents some aspects that determine the preservation of historical ambiences, so that they can still be experienced by society.