Sustainable rural heritage practices in a local context : the regeneration of rural heritage towns to mitigate the negative effects of gentrification

Abstract

Rural architectural regeneration lacks sufficient academic and professional focus. Rural towns face significant social, economic and environmental challenges, exacerbated by population decline, unlike the rapid growth issues of urban areas. The deterioration of rural architectural heritage underscores the importance of this issue globally and locally. Rural areas are crucial parts of society, dealing with diverse challenges in demographics, environment and economy. While heritage regeneration is important, it can lead to gentrification. Therefore, intentional and sensible conservation methods are essential to sustainably regenerate rural heritage towns in South Africa. The research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods within the pragmatic paradigm to understand human behaviour and a regenerative paradigm to analyse and establish the relationship between architecture and its urban condition. Qualitative methods include historical analysis, case studies and grounded theory, while quantitative methods involve descriptive and correlational research. The study includes interviews with local architects and academics, and secondary case studies, referencing both South African and international conservation efforts. The main focus is on towns like Greyton, Tulbagh, Wupperthal and Genadendal in the Western Cape, placing the work in a global context.

The analysis involved the consolidation of various themes, which were designed to address the primary research question: How can sustainable architectural heritage practices contribute to the regeneration of rural heritage towns while mitigating the negative effects of gentrification? Through investigation, understanding and thematic categorisation of the interviews and case studies, this dissertation offers insights into existing heritage approaches and practices in a local context. The relationship between conservation and preservation contributes to an overall understanding and approach towards sustainable regenerative heritage practice.

These principles are discussed and theoretically implemented and recommended in Genadendal. This dissertation contributes to the overarching discourse on heritage practice in South Africa by bridging the gap between urban and rural heritage regeneration in South Africa. It argues that through a sustainable and regenerative heritage approach, the negative effects of gentrification can be mitigated and the sustainable conservation of rural mission towns can be fostered.