Lehmbau als Weltkulturerbe

UNESCO World Heritage designation significantly alters the preservation and renovation of earthen architecture, with both positive protections and new challenges emerging. A comparative study of three sites—Aït-Ben-Haddou (Morocco), Fujian Tulou (China), and Koutammakou’s Takienta (Togo)—reveals that while heritage status enhances global recognition and funding, it also introduces stricter regulations that can limit traditional building practices and community autonomy. Earthen materials, though sustainable, pose unique conservation hurdles due to their vulnerability to erosion and moisture, requiring specialized techniques for renovation. The research combines on-site analysis, workshops (e.g., in Asslim, Morocco), and cross-case comparisons to assess how heritage designation reshapes usage, threats, and cultural significance across diverse contexts.

Ettl, J. (2017). Lehmbau als Weltkulturerbe. TU Wien. https://doi.org/10.34726/HSS.2017.35310