Abstract
The research of traditional rural architecture in developing regions is important to both the preservation of cultural heritage and the mitigation of the trends and consequences of unsustainable rural shifts. In the Western Balkans, for example, negative transformation of the rural environment happens more rapidly than the recording of its traditional built assets. For that reason, the objectives of the present research were to explore general and specific (sustainability-related) characteristics of traditional rural houses in the so far insufficiently studied microregion of the Western Balkans of Sirinićka Župa (Sirinić), to reveal their values and to initiate discussion of the role of heritage regeneration in sustainable rural development. Study has shown that the most significant values of Sirinić houses include opulent spatial-functional typology, distinct architectural expression, and sustainability-related quality in terms of applied materials, structural systems, and multipurpose techniques and elements, as well as a high level of spatial comfort. A necessary regeneration of the traditional houses of Sirinićka Župa must be formulated in a way that enables preservation of recognized general values and further improvement of environmental quality and climate resilience. Simultaneously, functional reactivation of traditional houses should be understood as a contribution to the sustainable development of Sirinićka Župa.
Highlights
The preservation of traditional rural architecture is usually not a strategic priority in developing regions
The research of traditional rural architecture in developing regions is important to both the preservation of cultural heritage and the mitigation of the trends and consequences of unsustainable rural shifts
A necessary regeneration of the traditional houses of Sirinicka Župa must be formulated in a way that enables preservation of recognized general values and further improvement of environmental quality and climate resilience
Summary
The preservation of traditional rural architecture is usually not a strategic priority in developing regions. The Western Balkan region is currently faced with extensive negative transformation of its rural settlements, especially in remote areas. This process represents a consequence of poor economic conditions, deruralization, changes in agricultural production, deterioration of infrastructure, and the inadequacy of rural development policies [1,2,3,4]. Existing dissociation between nature and culture is perhaps best visible in those rural areas that possess exceptional natural values, but have undergone either the abovementioned rural decline, despite their natural potential, or the development process that changes attitudes towards cultural traditions, especially in terms of residential architecture
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