Preserving Mérida’s Historic Center: Heritage vs. Revitalization

The task of revitalizing Mérida's Historic Center brings with it a series of challenges related to heritage preservation, according to Dr. Josep Ligorred Perramón, coordinator of the Masters in Architectural Heritage Conservation at Uady's Faculty of Architecture. He highlights that the current state of preservation and use of the Historic Center is a key point of discussion.

He explains that rehabilitation is not just about preservation, but also about how this heritage can be utilized in the present day. He notes, “Much of the historical heritage is abandoned and in a state of disrepair, requiring significant technical attention for its restoration.”

The issue of how to revitalize Mérida's Historic Center without losing its unique identity and authenticity is complex. Dr. Perramón points out that revitalization and use are interlinked. “To revitalize, the area needs to be attractive from many perspectives, including as a place to live.”

He suggests that living in historic cities could be appealing to young people, with the potential for a range of housing options from student residences to homes for young couples. This influx of young people into historic centers brings with it additional considerations, such as how to manage pedestrian traffic and the possible pedestrianization of the area.

Dr. Perramón observes, “The term 'pedestrianize' often surprises people. Rather than pedestrianizing Mérida's Historic Center, we need to 'demotorize' it. The area is already full of pedestrians moving from place to place.”

He emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges in a cooperative manner, particularly through collaboration between authorities and academia. He concludes, “In this dialogue, we must carefully plan the rules and integrate strategies that allow us to revitalize these areas. This not only gives new value to the historic centers, but also to the wider metropolitan area, viewing heritage as a catalyst for development.”