Vernacular Architecture in the Central Danube Region Village Renewal and the Preservation of Rural Culture Challenges - Chances - Ideas

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1 Vernacular Architecture in the Central Danube Region Village Renewal and the Preservation of Rural Culture Challenges - Chances - Ideas Trimesterpaper III: Vernacular Architecture in the Central Danube Region Village Renewal and the Preservation of Rural Culture Eva Hody, June 2001

2 Contents Part I: Rural Culture Village and Identity Activities and Traditions Economic, Social and Environmental Changes Rural Areas as a Potential for modern Society Part II:Improvement of rural life Socio-Economic Developmen Exogenous Development Endogenous Developmen Economic Improvements Village Renewal Structural Improvement - Examples Cultural and Social Improvement - Examples Preservation of rural Culture - Examples Rural Planing and Village Improvement The Principal The Aims The Partners Part III: Village Renewal in Lower Austria "DORF erneuerung Niederösterreich" (VILLAGE renewal Lower Austria) "Nö gestalten" (design Lower Austria) "NÖ Dorferneuerungs-Ladesverband" (Regional ASSOCIATION for Village Renewal in Lower Austria) A Village with new consciousness The Concept is transferable Personal Remark

3 Hanfthal Retz Oberretzbach Unterretzbach Obermakersdorf Obernalb Pillersdorf Zellerndorf Platt Schöngrabern Wullersdorf Oberstinkenbrunn Nappersdorf Pillichsdorf Groß-Schweinbarth Auersthal Falkenstein Gramatneusiedl Moosbrunn Reisenberg Götzendorf Fertörákos Fertöboz Hegykö Fertöujlak Dunaremete Dunasziget Sväty Jur Pezinok Modra Castá Dol any Dlhá Suchá Ruzindol Borová Plavecky Ppdhradie Solosnica Rohoznik Pernrk Jablonove Lozorno Zahorska Bystrica Laksárska-Nová Ves Kopcany Alpes Thaya Map of the Central Danube Region Vienna Sopron Danube Morawa Leitha Bratislava Small Carpatian Danube 26 Györ

4 Part I: Rural Culture

5 Village and Identity

Village and Identity The spatial structure of a village is

designed by various elements of different functions: - Buildings

for public purposes: town-hal, school, church, fire-brigade

small gardens with flowers, bushes and fruit-trees - Public

6 Village and Identity The spatial structure of a village is defined by the relation of public and private space, which is designed by various elements of different functions: - Buildings for private purposes: dwellings, farmsteads, barns - Buildings for public purposes: town-hal, school, church, fire-brigade house local shop, pub, post office, bus-stop - Private space: small gardens with flowers, bushes and fruit-trees - Public space: roads, paths village green with a brook and larger trees, sometimes a memorial

Village and Identity - Villager: The villagers have had a common idea, knowledge and possibilities -

with the openings - Density of the village: how the village snuggle into the landscape express the

reflects social structure reflects local culture - Landscape surrounding the village: reflects the

7 Village and Identity - Villager: The villagers have had a common idea, knowledge and possibilities - Similar features in the village: ground-floor plan, angle of the roofs, roofing materials, facades with the openings - Density of the village: how the village snuggle into the landscape express the sense of togetherness of the villagers - Appearance of the village: reflects economic activities reflects social structure reflects local culture - Landscape surrounding the village: reflects the agricultural knowledge and potential of the communiy builds one unit with the village and the people living there

Activities and Traditions The rural population accumulated through centuries an enormous knowledge about all essential

Techniques were developed by experience, transmitted and improved from generation to generation.

.. - Vine: vine growing and processing - Trade: selling goods of the own production buying goods, which were not available

8 Activities and Traditions The rural population accumulated through centuries an enormous knowledge about all essential activities to ensure their needs. Techniques were developed by experience, transmitted and improved from generation to generation. - Food: agricultural activities, fieldwork, cattle storage of food food processing, cooking, smoking, drying,... - Vine: vine growing and processing - Trade: selling goods of the own production buying goods, which were not available in the region - Crafts: roads, foot paths, public green, fences dwellings, barns... furniture, equipment for the household clothes - Culture: the celebration of special occasions and religious feasts with special dishes, clothes decorations folk music and dance

9 Economic, Social and Environmental Changes

Economic, Social and Environmental Changes Structural and Functional Changes; The self-accelerating emigration process

due to industrialized production methods that require less labor Decreasing offers for jobs in the nonagricultural sector

and emigration Quantitative loss of rural population Qualitative loss of rural population Low use of existing

attractive, no new investments in infrastructure + Living quality decreasing and less attractive Qualification structure

10 Economic, Social and Environmental Changes Structural and Functional Changes; The self-accelerating emigration process Agglomerations offer various advantages for the location of enterprises Structural alterations in the agricultural sector due to industrialized production methods that require less labor Decreasing offers for jobs in the nonagricultural sector in rural areas Increasing demand for jobs of nonagricultural type in rural areas Lack of jobs in rural areas Commuters and emigration Quantitative loss of rural population Qualitative loss of rural population Low use of existing infrastructure Superannuated population Decrease of economic potential Infrastructure becomes more expensive or/and less attractive, no new investments in infrastructure + Living quality decreasing and less attractive Qualification structure of rural labor becomes insufficient + Initiative behavior of the population decreasing Rural areas become less attractive for new investors

renewed and changed dwellings new housing activities Structural,

11 Economic, Social and Environmental Changes Visual Changes - Agriculture - Traffic - Housing activities: neglected dwellings renewed and changed dwellings new housing activities Structural, functional and visual changes caused economic, social and cultural weakness of rural areas.

12 Rural Areas as a Potential for modern Society

Rural Areas as a Potential for modern Society The countryside offers qualities and values that could be valued by a modern

cultural landscape, - the human scale of the village, - the easily comprehensible social structures - the possibilities to

--> These are living qualities people in cities would long for and people in rural areas are not aware of.

13 Rural Areas as a Potential for modern Society The countryside offers qualities and values that could be valued by a modern society: - Multifarious housing and leisure time possibilities, - the unencumbered environment, - the wide and impressive cultural landscape, - the human scale of the village, - the easily comprehensible social structures - the possibilities to participate in the creative development of the environment. --> These are living qualities people in cities would long for and people in rural areas are not aware of. The countryside supplies cities: - with agricultural products - it provides recreation areas - it makes cities breathing. --> Living quality in urban centers depends also on the surrounding rural environment.

14 Part II: Improvement of rural life

Socio-Economic Development Measures to strengthen the rural economy should provide mainly benefits for the rural

Exogenous Development Central authorities attracted companies from outside to establish their business in rural

==> Exogenous development programs implement single isolated economic improvements in order to create new jobs

15 Socio-Economic Development Measures to strengthen the rural economy should provide mainly benefits for the rural population also in future. Exogenous Development Central authorities attracted companies from outside to establish their business in rural areas. ==> Exogenous development programs implement single isolated economic improvements in order to create new jobs Endogenous Development - takes into consideration all relevant local parameters as culture, social conditions, ecology and time. - considers all the given facts or existing possibilities - support the research for local recourses ==> in order to establish local marketable products and services that provide sustainability - takes time - relies mostly on the engagement of the population, the target group with highest potential of know-how - creates new sustainable economic potentials on the base of self-confidence and identity of the people.

Economic Improvements Evaluation of: - strengths and weaknesses in the

produced in the past and of reasons why they are not produced anymore

jointly worked out vision - describes concrete workable aims and strategies

coordinates projects and measures - brings various aims together - supports

16 Economic Improvements Evaluation of: - strengths and weaknesses in the region or village - historic links still working today - products that were produced in the past and of reasons why they are not produced anymore Design of the futur mode: - describes the rating and esteem - describes the jointly worked out vision - describes concrete workable aims and strategies - defines superior aims of a community or village - harmonizes and coordinates projects and measures - brings various aims together - supports identity and motivation - provides future oriented development --> Local economic identity

Village Renewal Main target: Preservation and strengthening of the functional diversity regarding economic, ecological, social and

enable people living in rural areas and to increase living quality Development of "Village Consciousness" Sub targets: Preservation

development to diversify rural economy: establish local marketable products and services Development of the local infrastructure to

identity visible Development of local cultural and social life to strengthen the community Availability of information and education

17 Village Renewal Main target: Preservation and strengthening of the functional diversity regarding economic, ecological, social and cultural aspects: No ongoing emigration and Stabilization of the rural population Partial target: Securing jobs, creating new jobs to enable people living in rural areas and to increase living quality Development of "Village Consciousness" Sub targets: Preservation of the presupposition of an efficient, sustainable and ecological agriculture and forestry as economic basis Endogenous Regional development to diversify rural economy: establish local marketable products and services Development of the local infrastructure to enable also new economic activities: New technologies Renewal of public space and preservation of built heritage to make villagers identity visible Development of local cultural and social life to strengthen the community Availability of information and education for villagers will increase the communication between the villagers and will rise their awareness about their available knowledge and potentials

Village Renewal Structural Improvement - the

development of an insufficient infrastructure

Cultural and Social Improvement - increase

can initiate new consciousness ==> Identity

18 Village Renewal Structural Improvement - the renewal of existing built structures - the development of an insufficient infrastructure economic, social and cultural - new facilities Cultural and Social Improvement - increase communication - through common activities - can initiate new consciousness ==> Identity and togetherness as assumption for endogenous development

Preservation of rural Culture Methods and principles of preservation of built and intangible cultural heritage: Preservation The skill of preserving

Maintenance Maintenance of built structures is a craft that bases on knowledge.

Rehabilitation Adaptations of the ancient structure to modern life are a justified requirement to enable and organize the living together of the

19 Preservation of rural Culture Methods and principles of preservation of built and intangible cultural heritage: Preservation The skill of preserving rural culture lies in mending structural and social conditions to enable its continuous practice. Maintenance Maintenance of built structures is a craft that bases on knowledge. Rural knowledge, culture and costumes must be retained as well to keep traditions alive and present. Rehabilitation Adaptations of the ancient structure to modern life are a justified requirement to enable and organize the living together of the villagers. As living culture reflects the present spirit of the age, the adaptation of traditions to present trends is self-evident and an assumption to keep them alive. Authenticity Authenticity of rural culture is related to ongoing local traditions that are retained regularly by people being aware and proud of their identity.

Rural Planing and Village Improvement The Instrument: Village Improvement supports

living space The Principal: Village Improvement is not a planing procedre; It is

The main concern is to create a fruitful atmosphere in the community that improves

for their surrounding living space. ==> 1.

20 Rural Planing and Village Improvement The Instrument: Village Improvement supports on the local level the preservation, the improvement and the development of rural living space The Principal: Village Improvement is not a planing procedre; It is mainly a coordinating and moderating action in the local community. The main concern is to create a fruitful atmosphere in the community that improves their self-development potential and that strengthens their sense of responsibility for their surrounding living space. ==> 1. Mental, social and cultural renewal creates 2. Economical and creative renewal almost automatically The idea: "assistance for self-assistance".

Rural Planing and Village Improvement The Partners Regional Government encourages activities of

of local characteristics - Small financial support provided for particular projects Local

- know their environment and history - have many ideas for particular improvements - can provide

authorities and the regional government provide - professional assistance - information and

21 Rural Planing and Village Improvement The Partners Regional Government encourages activities of the population: - Information about legal and financial possibilities - Motivation - Promotion of local characteristics - Small financial support provided for particular projects Local authorities act as the connecting link between the villagers and the regional government People - know their environment and history - have many ideas for particular improvements - can provide working power Non Governmental Organizations act as mediators between the population, the local authorities and the regional government provide - professional assistance - information and know-how about -> creative processes for improvements -> cooperative work -> financing and realization of projects

22 Part III: Village Renewal in Lower Austria

"DORF erneuerung NÖ" - Policy (VILLAGE renewal Lower Austria) Target: - Improvement of the living quality of people

rural planing policy considers subjects like - housing and building regulation - heritage and landscape preservation

conservation Organization: - Part of the departments for rural planning and regional politics.

23 "DORF erneuerung NÖ" - Policy (VILLAGE renewal Lower Austria) Target: - Improvement of the living quality of people in rural areas - Stop ongoing emigration - Information about and assistance for village renewal projects Idea: A rural planing policy considers subjects like - housing and building regulation - heritage and landscape preservation - agriculture - traffic and transport planing - hydraulic engineering and power industry - nature and environment conservation Organization: - Part of the departments for rural planning and regional politics. - Guidelines about: - principles and aims - organization - procedures - financial support - partners: - people - private organizations - communities.

24 "DORF erneuerung NÖ" - Policy (VILLAGE renewal Lower Austria) "Nö gestalten" (design Lower Austria) a office of the biulding department to Promote: - The preservation of vernacular architecture of historic villages and of historic plot structures - A modern building culture emphasizing ecological building concepts structural improvements of village enlargments modern design for new and renewed buildings. Medias are: - Booklet "Nö gestalten" - "Nö Gestaltungsakademie" (design academy) - Consultations: Building owners can get advice and design support - Specific Workshops: Particular topics about rural building activities and village improvement - Coordination work: Rural and structural planing - Publications: Brochures and school materials

25 "DORF erneuerung NÖ" - Policy (VILLAGE renewal Lower Austria) "NÖ Dorferneuerungs-Ladesverband" (Regional ASSOCIATION for Village Renewal in Lower Austria) Members are: communities, lobbies and private unions dealing with village renewal Targets are: -> addressing interests of rural areas to the government of Lower Austria to the federal government and to other organizations and offices -> supporting communication exchange of experiences co-operation of its members -> informing its members -> organizing regional service offices providing consulting activities providing professional assistance -> supporting countryside with consulting and educating activities -> co-operating with other private organizations -> looking for solutions of communal problems -> devoting to the retain of folk culture, folk education, traditions, local history and heritage preservation

26 The concept is transferable

27 Personal Remark

28 "Nothing is stronger for which time arrived" (Victor Hugo)

Fragmented competences, for example: spatial planning

Fragmented competences, for example: spatial planning Republic / Federal Chancellery, Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning (ÖROK): Strategy Provinces (Bundesländer): Legislation, supervision monitoring