Call for Abstracts

EAAE Conservation Network – X Workshop (Valencia)

Conservation / Abandonment | Conservation as a means of combating neglect

 

As cities grow and transform, situations arise in which heritage sites are left neglected. The reasons for this can be varied: difficulties in property management, the complexity of intervening in the monument, political disinterest, very strict regulations, etc. Considering this situation, the theme of this 10th edition of the EAAE Conservation Network seeks to reflect on how conservation impacts the processes of abandonment and regeneration of architectural heritage.

 

The city chosen to host this workshop is Valencia. A medium-sized city (with a population of around 800,000), boasting a history stretching back over 2,000 years, it has left behind a diverse heritage spread across a complex urban layout, the result of its adaptation to geographical conditions and the incorporation of various surrounding settlements. A recent press article stated that “Valencia is the city with the highest number of abandoned heritage sites” to have been included on Hispania Nostra’s Red List, a list created by the heritage conservation association to raise awareness, educate the public and take action regarding sites at risk of disappearing. More than half of these properties are alquerías, farmhouses with agricultural land typical of the Valencia huerta, whose location on the outskirts of the city makes them more vulnerable to the climate-related disasters currently affecting the area. Furthermore, there are also properties in key locations within the city with great potential that have been abandoned for years.

 

The selection of case studies for the workshop aims to highlight heritage sites that illustrate the various causes of neglect across different parts of the city. The commercial dock building at the port is a case of neglect resulting from a lack of proposals for a new use that would be appropriate for both the building and the city. The monastery of San José and Santa Teresa, on the edge of the historic city, is a case of incompatibility between the use proposed by the private entity that manages it and the requirements of the heritage commission. The case of the Alquería de Serra is an example of neglect due to a lack of political interest in investing in a domestic architectural type.

 

The aim of the workshop will be, based on these case studies, to generate debate on the following topics:

1. Conservation: between paralysis and destruction. Find a balance between restrictions and opportunities through conservation, adaptation, reuse…

2. Managing properties and owners in heritage sites. Private vs public.

3. Original function and new uses: characteristics and potential compatibility underpinning the interest in conservation or abandonment

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Abstract Instructions

 

Authors are invited to submit a short abstract by June 30th, 2026. The abstract should contain:

· Name of the author(s)

· Title

· Institution

· Country

· The specification if EAAE member/non-member

· Topic (1, 2 or 3)

· Text (about 2000 characters spaces included)

 

Abstracts should be uploaded to the conference platform SUBMISSION HERE

Important Dates

 

· Submission of abstracts: 30th June 2026

· Acceptance of abstracts and start of registration: 31st July 2026

· Contribution payment: 31st July - 31st August 2026

· EAAE Conservation Network Workshop: 30th October - 1st November 2026

· Deadline for full papers: 28th February 2027

· Submission of the review notes:  31st March 2027

· Deadline for full papers Corrections: 30th May 2027

· Acceptance of full papers notification: 30th June 2027

As in any previous EAAE Conservation Network Workshop, the final contributions will be prepared and published only after the workshop is held in Valencia.

 

 

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