Toward the development of innovative preservation strategies for El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro in New Mexico

Abstract

In many historic preservation projects, the boundaries of tangible heritage are clear, and specific protocols and standards define the design strategies. By contrast, in other types of preservation projects, such as cultural landscape or historic routes, preservationists need to come up with innovative strategies to preserve both tangible and intangible aspects of their projects, especially when physical aspects of preservation are absent or comprise a vast area. Our case, the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro historic route, is associated with various social and economic aspects of the lives of the people of New Mexico before the emergence of the railroad. In this paper, the authors concentrate on the criteria that define a successful route preservation project, the challenges faced, and the possible innovative preservation strategies that emerge from studying El Camino Real, New Mexico section. Consequently, the criteria for adaptive strategies for reuse are driven by the specific challenges that need to be addressed on this unique route. The challenges are then scrutinized based on the current situation of El Camino Real in New Mexico, and possible interventions are described and compared to each other. The study of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro shows that considering only one rehabilitation strategy or action plan may not be successful and that taking a creative and multi-dimensional approach is critical.