Cultural Habitat between Identity and Landscape Images

Abstract

The ability to understand the cultural habitat and contemporary landscape requires careful consideration capable of interpreting the scope of changes taking place. Present conformations are the result of progressive layers, but the shift from one period to the next one is the result of true cultural and spatial breaks, which over time have had the ability to camouflaging themselves, appearing less evident to the glance of a careless observer. Understanding these processes means decoding forms of identity which are often not recognized, in order to counteract the loss of sense that in recent times has become increasingly manifest and perceptible in many places. The dynamics that have led to changes in the identity/cultural image, especially in territorial or urban contexts where today there is an essentially dialectic conflict between identity and design, turn out to be very dangerous. Changes, which were brought about by natural processes, linked to evolution and the usual dynamics of places, are today suddenly and irreversibly caused by human activities. These changes prejudice sites and their features, and the resulting impact both direct and indirect, affects the economic, structural and social efficiency. Moreover, the changes do not allow the re-generation and renewability of the balance of urban and territorial systems.