CHARTER ON THE BUILT VERNACULAR HERITAGE
(1999)
Ratified by the ICOMOS 12th General Assembly, in Mexico, October 1999.

INTRODUCTION
The built vernacular heritage occupies a central place in the affection and pride of all
peoples. It has been accepted as a characteristic and attractive product of society. It
appears informal, but nevertheless orderly. It is utilitarian and at the same time possesses
interest and beauty. It is a focus of contemporary life and at the same time a record of the
history of society. Although it is the work of man it is also the creation of time. It would be
unworthy of the heritage of man if care were not taken to conserve these traditional
harmonies which constitute the core of man’s own existence.
The built vernacular heritage is important; it is the fundamental expression of the culture of
a community, of its relationship with its territory and, at the same time, the expression of
the world’s cultural diversity.
Vernacular building is the traditional and natural way by which communities house
themselves. It is a continuing process including necessary changes and continuous
adaptation as a response to social and environmental constraints. The survival of this
tradition is threatened world-wide by the forces of economic, cultural and architectural
homogenisation. How these forces can be met is a fundamental problem that must be
addressed by communities and also by governments, planners, architects, conservationists
and by a multidisciplinary group of specialists.
Due to the homogenisation of culture and of global socio-economic transformation,
vernacular structures all around the world are extremely vulnerable, facing serious problems
of obsolescence, internal equilibrium and integration.
It is necessary, therefore, in addition to the Venice Charter, to establish principles for the
care and protection of our built vernacular heritage.

GENERAL ISSUES
1. Examples of the vernacular may be recognised by:
a) A manner of building shared by the community;
b) A recognisable local or regional character responsive to the environment;
c) Coherence of style, form and appearance, or the use of traditionally
established building types;
d) Traditional expertise in design and construction which is transmitted
informally;
e) An effective response to functional, social and environmental constraints;
f) The effective application of traditional construction systems and crafts.
2. The appreciation and successful protection of the vernacular heritage depend on the
involvement and support of the community, continuing use and maintenance.
3. Governments and responsible authorities must recognise the right of all
communities to maintain their living traditions, to protect these through all available
legislative, administrative and financial means and to hand them down to future
generations.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION
1. The conservation of the built vernacular heritage must be carried out by
multidisciplinary expertise while recognising the inevitability of change and development,
and the need to respect the community’s established cultural identity.
2. Contemporary work on vernacular buildings, groups and settlements should respect
their cultural values and their traditional character.
3. The vernacular is only seldom represented by single structures, and it is best
conserved by maintaining and preserving groups and settlements of a representative
character, region by region.
4. The built vernacular heritage is an integral part of the cultural landscape and this
relationship must be taken into consideration in the development of conservation
approaches.
5. The vernacular embraces not only the physical form and fabric of buildings,
structures and spaces, but the ways in which they are used and understood, and the
traditions and the intangible associations which attach to them.

GUIDELINES IN PRACTICE
1. Research and documentation
Any physical work on a vernacular structure should be cautious and should be preceded by
a full analysis of its form and structure. This document should be lodged in a publicly
accessible archive.
2. Siting, landscape and groups of buildings
Interventions to vernacular structures should be carried out in a manner which will respect
and maintain the integrity of the siting, the relationship to the physical and cultural
landscape, and of one structure to another.
3. Traditional building systems
The continuity of traditional building systems and craft skills associated with the vernacular
is fundamental for vernacular expression, and essential for the repair and restoration of
these structures. Such skills should be retained, recorded and passed on to new generations
of craftsmen and builders in education and training.
4. Replacement of materials and parts
Alterations which legitimately respond to the demands of contemporary use should be
effected by the introduction of materials which maintain a consistency of expression,
appearance, texture and form throughout the structure and a consistency of building
materials.
5. Adaptation
Adaptation and reuse of vernacular structures should be carried out in a manner which will
respect the integrity of the structure, its character and form while being compatible with
acceptable standards of living. Where there is no break in the continuous utilisation of
vernacular forms, a code of ethics within the community can serve as a tool of intervention.
6. Changes and period restoration
Changes over time should be appreciated and understood as important aspects of
vernacular architecture. Conformity of all parts of a building to a single period, will not
normally be the goal of work on vernacular structures.
7. Training
In order to conserve the cultural values of vernacular expression, governments, responsible
authorities, groups and organisations must place emphasis on the following:
a) Education programmes for conservators in the principles of the vernacular;
b) Training programmes to assist communities in maintaining traditional building
systems, materials and craft skills;
c) Information programmes which improve public awareness of the vernacular
especially amongst the younger generation.
d) Regional networks on vernacular architecture to exchange expertise and
experiences.

CIAV:
Madrid, January 30, 1996,
Jerusalem, March 28, 1996
Mikkeli, February 26, 1998.
Santo Domingo, August 26, 1998.
ICOMOS: Stockholm, September 10, 1998.