HISTORICAL HERITAGE AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES IMPOSED ON OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF LISTED HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO

Abstract

The worldwide concern regarding sustainable urban development has been increasing as the populations of countries increase and demand more consumption of the already scarce natural resources. According to the United Nations, it is estimated that 55% of the world population lives in urban centers, with the perspective of surpassing 68% in 2050. In Brazil, 84% of the population today live in the cities. One of the goals of sustainable development is to make cities more sustainable and inclusive and, to accomplish such goal, many variables need to be accomplished, among which is the strengthening of efforts to protect and safeguard cities’ cultural heritage, for the present and future generations. Seeing as São Paulo is the 10th urban city in the world, and its historical heritage preservation policies are recent and in the process of being outlined, this research strives to answer: What are the main challenges identified by owners/managers of listed historical buildings in São Paulo, which stand in the way of conserving/preserving their properties? Results revealed that the main challenges are a lack of knowledge about what interventions can be done to the property, lack of knowledge on incentive laws and more feasible ways for the conservation of historical sites and dealing with excessive bureaucracy. Such results contribute to the implementation of urban development policies focused on the sustainable goal of safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage, in order to propitiate advancements in preserving the memory and identity of the city through the conservation of properties listed as historical heritage.