Vegetation in ruins: challenges and possibilities for heritage conservation

Abstract

Ruins are complex structures. As architectural elements deteriorate, new, now biological, elements take their place. We observe that the concept of ruin has long been associated with nature through a romantic bias, which continues to influence discussions of conservation to this day. Perhaps we can affirm that nature has been present in ruins since their appreciation as landscape, serving as a theme for pictorial works, shaping the notion of the picturesque, particularly from the 19th century onward. But above all, in the 20th century, the appreciation of vegetation in ruins became one of the central issues of preservation in countries like Italy and England, and currently remains strong in theoretical debates and practical approaches, such as the Verdant Ruins project of English Heritage, and research developed in Italian universities. In tropical countries, such as Brazil, the challenge is even greater when considering that vegetation, due to its characteristics and climatic conditions, can accelerate the process of decay. Nevertheless, it is also possible to reconsider the treatment of heritage ruins, which is generally focused on the removal of vegetation, and to ask whether such vegetation might also add value and, above all, serve a protective role, contributing to their preservation.