Vernacular Architecture: Identity as a Value in the Process of Establishing Sustainable Landscape Development. Case Study – Negotinske pivnice (Negotin Wine Cellars)

Abstract

This research focuses on the position of vernacular architecture in the contemporary context. A particular focus is directed toward analysing the significance of vernacular architecture – its ecological, economic, sociological and cultural aspects. The main research questions relate to the possibilities of using vernacular architecture for establishing sustainable landscape development. The main research problem relates to misunderstanding the complexity of vernacular architecture as a spatial and symbolic phenomenon, as a result of which the study of vernacular architecture is predominantly focused on the ecological and technological aspects of its reuse and energy efficiency. Therefore, the main goals include emphasising vernacular architecture’s cultural and sociological aspects as equally important factors in its identity development. The research is focused on the analysis of documents and concepts in the field of cultural and natural heritage preservation, with the aim to use vernacular architecture for establishing sustainable landscape development. A particular focus is related to the applied principles within the case studies, their evaluation and the possibility of their application in the Republic of Serbia – Negotinske pivnice, as the spatial cultural-historical unit of exceptional importance, which has been on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List since 2010.