RESTORATION AS AN ENGINE FOR REGENERATING THE COMMUNITY

References: 15th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2015, www.sgem.org, SGEM2015 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7105-43-8 / ISSN 1314-2704, June 18-24, 2015, Book6 Vol. 2, 561-568 pp

ABSTRACT
Diverse ethnic and confessional structure is defining the Banat region. Current cultural heritage is the result of long-term coexistence and interaction of ethnic groups inhabiting the western area of Romania (the ethnic structure consisted of Romanians, Germans, Hungarians, Serbs, Bulgarians, Czechs, and others).
Even without intrinsic declared monument value, wall churches summarize features and community values, ethnical identity.
Although the number of religious buildings is overwhelming compared to the number of schools and social facilities, contemporary phenomenon stands for building new churches without significance for the area. The initiators often resort to foreign and dramatic gestures (in scale and decoration) in order to remind us of the need for spiritual life. At the same time, cult buildings with true architectural and symbolic significance for the society are often found in serious state of degradation due to ignorant communities, incorrect constructive interventions, and lack of financial resources, political strategy and appreciation of the heritage value.
Contemporary society constantly reviews its relationship with the institution of the church. A current issue would be finding ways for reusing the churches that have lost the congregation from various causes (depopulation of some areas, relocation, and migration to other cult) and, therefore, the religious significance.
The current research based on case studies of diverse church-community interaction within the area aims to establish long-term strategies and viable solutions in order to involve the remaining community in maintaining and preserving their local church. While Romanian construction market is flooded with new materials and technologies, old crafts are fading rapidly. The purpose of this study is identifying the local values in terms of building knowledge, details and crafts, use of local materials in order to conceive a sustainable restoration strategy. Reviving these values through education can be an engine for the community regeneration.
However, a correct restoration intervention on the church as the center of the community will be appreciated as an example of good practice within the society, being perpetuated and applied to other built programs.

Keywords: sustainability, heritage, education, good practice, church