Forum 2. Culture and territorial model

This forum was proposed based on the following question: What role should architecture professionals play in Latin America in relation to traditional knowledge, identities, and territorial dynamics? This question is linked to the theme of Table 2 of CLEFA 2023 and aims to understand the new scenarios for architects in a context where community traditions have been put under pressure by globalization, which tends to homogenize their practices. In this sense, the presentations accompanying this forum address, from different perspectives, the challenge of understanding, discussing, and valuing these practices in order to keep these traditions alive in the present. From the idea of establishing values of citizenship for the construction of the public sphere, to the recognition of practices inherited from the brotherhoods of Guatemala, as well as proposals for different projects for the recovery of heritage assets and the landscape, these presentations are a contribution from different areas of Latin America to continue this discussion. Below are some of the presentations that, based on the actions of architects, attempt to recover the knowledge and practices of their communities in order to articulate them to an ever-changing and challenging present within the framework of the policies that arise from globalization.

Presentations:

• Gloria Luz Palacios Villatoro (Guatemala) with the presentation: “The architect and their relationship with intangible cultural heritage through participatory governance”.
• Francisco Antonio Zuleta Funes (El Salvador) with the presentation: “Revitalization of the Historic Center of San Miguel: transformation towards sustainable and participatory development".