Article In: orcid
Heritage as ruin: water, plants and an ethos of asceticism in Alferrara
Journal
— 2026 — Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
Key information
Authors:
Published in
June 8, 2026
Abstract
Purpose The Capuchos Convent of Alferrara has remained in ruins for over two centuries. Rather than physically restore it to an image of the past, this paper aims to investigate to what extent its ongoing ruination could offer a viable path for shaping its future. Design/methodology/approach A design-research methodology is used to frame this question within an architectural design course. The course is informed by heritage and conservation theories to arrive at five non-invasive intervention paths. Findings The five interventions suggest that active elements like water and plants can reframe static perceptions of heritage as fixed cultural assets. They can catalyze the site as a locus of cultural and ecological practices rooted in the site’s intangible values, particularly its ascetic tradition. Originality/value The research is pivotal by exploring future revitalization directions for the convent in line with its past ethos. It offers alternative paths to commercialization and responds to climate threats like drought that will likely plague the region in coming years. More broadly, the paper contributes to broader discussions in contemporary heritage and conservation practices as well as architectural pedagogy in the era of the Anthropocene.
Publication details
Authors in the community:
Jesse Rafeiro
ist429361
Ana Paula Filipe Tomé
ist24777
Publisher
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
Link to the publisher's version
https://www.emerald.com/jchmsd/article/16/7/434/1379985/Heritage-as-ruin-water-plants-and-an-ethos-of
Title of the publication container
Journal
First page or article number
434
Last page
451
Volume
16
Issue
7
Fields of Science and Technology (FOS)
history-and-archaeology - History and archaeology
Keywords
- Environment
- Conservation
- Heritage
- Climate change
- Medicinal plants
- Intangible heritage
- Architectural pedagogy
- Water heritage
- History and theory of architecture
- Monastic heritage
Publication language (ISO code)
eng - English
Rights type:
Open access
Financing entity
HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Title of the project, award or grant: Reviving Monastic Water Management to Safeguard Environmental and Cultural Heritage in Alferrara, Portugal
Funding Stream: European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme
Identifier for the funding entity: https://doi.org/10.13039/100018694
Type of identifier of the funding entity: Crossref Funder
Number for the project, award or grant: 101207766
Financing entity
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Title of the project, award or grant: Reviving Monastic Hydraulic Systems for Heritage and Climate Resilience in Alferrara, Portugal
Funding Stream: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
Identifier for the funding entity: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001691
Type of identifier of the funding entity: Crossref Funder
Number for the project, award or grant: 25K17761
Financing entity
Fonds Riverin-Contant
Title of the project, award or grant: UdeM International
Financing entity
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Title of the project, award or grant: Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Engenharia Civil para a Sustentabilidade
Funding Stream: Avaliação UID 2023/2024
Identifier for the funding entity: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
Type of identifier of the funding entity: Crossref Funder
Number for the project, award or grant: UID/6438/2025