The civic dimension of heritage conservation

a methodological approach through urban imaginaries

Abstract

This article proposes a reflection in the field of Architecture and Urbanism on the approach to urban heritage assets through the integration of imaginaries. The research presents a methodological proposal focused on the civic–imaginary component in heritage recognition, highlighting the importance of material and cultural elements in maintaining local memory and constructing a sense of collectivity. The imaginary is understood as the set of elements that guide processes of meaning-making and collective representation within a community. The study discusses the epistemological framework that underpins this reflection and describes the field experiment carried out in the Special Preservation Zone of Praça da Várzea, in Recife, Brazil. The proposal aims to integrate residents and local actors in the recognition of heritage value, contributing to forms of conservation articulated with the socio-spatial dynamics of patrimonial zones, moving beyond approaches restricted to technical and specialized perspectives.