A Citizen Science Approach to Build a Knowledge Base and Cadastre on Earth Buildings in the Weinviertel Region, Austria

Thomas Schauppenlehner,Franz Ottner,Renate Eder,Kim Ressar,Hubert Feiglstorfer,Roland Meingast

doi:10.3390/heritage4010007

Abstract

Clay played a decisive role as a building material in the Austrian Weinviertel region. Its traditional use in vernacular architecture started to disappear in the 19th century, triggered, for example, by upcoming industrial processes to produce construction materials such as burnt bricks, and by making them available as mass building products in course of the time—even for vernacular purpose and at remote places. Following a debate on ecological sustainability during the last decades, the striking advantages of clay as a building material have been rediscovered. However, to support restoration activities and develop new uses, a vital and profound knowledge of properties of the local clay and its traditional local use is required. It is therefore important to increase the knowledge of this unique heritage among the local population and the scientific community. This article aims to present the development of an earth building cadastre (Lehmbaukataster) based on an innovative Citizen Science approach using mobile technologies for activating and integrating the local population with specific local and historical knowledge of earth architecture in the Weinviertel. The results show that citizens can provide essential information to develop a cadastre on earth buildings. Supported by a web application with GPS location facilities, camera, and low entry barriers, citizens can contribute to the expansion of the scientific database. The research results are a strong impetus for the development of strategies for the valorization and protection of cultural heritage.

Highlights

Clay was a dominating building material in rural areas of Central Europe [1], in the Austrian Weinviertel region [2]
The “Results” section gives an overview about the outcomes of our study, divided into the different Citizen Science modules followed by examples from the earth building cadastre with an interpretation and classification in terms of regional and national earth building history
Different forms of application and building techniques have led to a unique vernacular architecture that is gradually disappearing due to various social developments

Summary

Introduction

Clay was a dominating building material in rural areas of Central Europe [1], in the Austrian Weinviertel region [2]. The integration of local inhabitants using a Citizen Science approach [17] and new technologies such as web mapping and mobile devices offers promising opportunities for scientific projects about earth buildings. This article presents the development of an earth building cadastre (Lehmbaukataster) using a Citizen Science framework to expand the knowledge base about earth buildings in the Austrian region of Weinviertel using mobile web technologies and a comprehensive set of training and information media. The aim is to answer the question to what extent Citizen Science can contribute to a broader understanding of local and historical earth building techniques and what a corresponding approach to this might look like. The “Research materials and methods” section provides a brief overview of the study region and the role of earth buildings, followed by a description of the developed Citizen Science framework. The “Conclusions” chapter synthesizes and summarizes the approach, and in the “Discussion” chapter we present considerations beyond the project about future research approaches and demands

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion