By Hanne Verhelst
I write this blog with my interest in the importance of community engagement in cultural preservation of ruins. I view ruins not as isolated objects, but as integral part of a larger urban landscape. The debate surrounding ruins in heritage practices, particularly restoration, sustainability and community engagement, fascinates me. Ruins reflect the past, present and future. Can they be considered as heritage? What should be done with them: consolidation, restoration or returning them to their original state? The dilemma lies between restoration and sustainable conservation, as ruins are living witnesses of history, emphasizing the impermanence of human creations and the need for community engagement in shaping their evolving meaning. Two notable cases are the ruins of Abbey the Villers-la-Ville and the ruins of the Palace of Charles of Lorraine in Mariemont. The ruins of Villers has a long-established management plan that successfully integrates sustainability and community engagement, connecting the ruins with nature, culture and history in a way that resonates with the local population. Mariemont by contrast is in the early stages of heritage management, with plans to stabilize the ruins, develop an open archaeological garden and promote its landscape and history through academic and community partnerships.
About this blogpost
This is the 11th blog post of the series of 24 blogs prepared by graduate students and early career professionals who shared their views on the future of heritage and landscape planning.
The writers of these blogposts participated in the Heriland Blended Intensive Programme “Heritage and the Planning of Landscapes” in October 2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Villers Abbey
Villers Abbey is a historical site that exemplifies a success of heritage conservation, community engagement and sustainable tourism. Located in Wallonia, the abbey not only serves as a monument to the past but also as a hub for the local community and reflecting the ongoing dialogue between history and contemporary life. Community engagement is the foundation of Villers Abbey’s success. The site includes a local brewery, supporting artisans and fostering community ties. Its park serves as a recreational space for locals, while cultural events hosted at the abbey enrich the cultural landscape, transforming the ruins into vibrant spaces for contemporary expression. Tourism plays a central role in the abbey’s life with attracting visitors and boosting the local economy. However, this popularity underscores the importance of balanced conservation efforts to maintain the site’s historical integrity. A fundamental challenge on how to navigate the delicate balance between the current context of plant growth on ruins and the preservation of authentic historic character. This case has a commitment to holistic understanding, holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the Abbaye de Villers Ruin and offers valuable lessons for heritage preservation. Further exploration of heritage conservation practices, particularly regarding plant growth on the ruins, is essential. By integrating historical preservation with contemporary relevance Villers Abbey honours its past while securing its future as a landmark for generations to come.
Ruins of the Palace of Charles of Lorraine in Mariemont
The ruins of the Palace of Charles of Lorraine in Mariemont, a vital 16th century memory site, are now at risk. Recognized as one of the seven most endangered heritage sites in Europe in 2023 by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, Mariemonts’ 45 hectare estate is classified as exceptional heritage in Wallonia. The palace, built in the 18th century and severely damaged during the revolution, has remained in ruins. These ruins reflect not just a historical moment, but also the impermanence of human creations, echoing the ongoing debate between restoration and conservation.
The challenge of Mariemont is multi-faceted. It is not only a historically significant site but also an integral part of the living cultural landscape of the region. The ruins blend perfect with the surrounding nature, creating a unique environment where the natural world and historical structures coexist. Since 2009, its management has been a collaborative effort between the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles and regional authorities; however, funding and sustainable development remain significant obstacles. Traditionally, restoration efforts have primarily focused on historical value, but contemporary discussions indicate that this narrow approach often overlooks the evolving significance of ruins. Nature has become an essential aspect of the ruins, contributing to their character and inviting a deeper appreciation of the site’s heritage.
Figure 5 and 6. Ruins of Palace of Charles of Lorraine in Mariemont, by Hanne Verhelst
While Mariemont has historically functioned as an open-air museum, today’s strategies must recognize and embrace its dynamic role within the community, reflecting both its historical importance and its living relationship with the environment.
In this case community engagement becomes critical. Gabriella Esposito De Vita and Stefania Ragozino stress the importance of community involvement in heritage preservation, highlighting that local engagement fosters ownership and active participation. This approach enhances the sustainability of heritage sites and boosts local economies through sustainable tourism, job creation and the promotion of cultural experiences.
The ruins are part of the region’s identity, reflecting not just the past but their evolving role in modern culture. By stabilizing and restoring access, we can merge historical appreciation with present use, turning the ruins into a space for community interaction, research and tourism. The park around the ruins is already a key cultural and recreational hub, with events and trails emphasizing its historical and natural value. Simply restoring the ruins without community input risks alienating those who live with the heritage daily.
Conclusion
When preserving the ruin in this state of decay, it remains a constant balancing act between ecological and architectural value, greenery and built heritage, the site and its surroundings. Several factors come into play when it comes to conservation. Is it financially feasible to preserve the ruined remains and maintain them for the long term? The location of the site is also crucial, is it remote or easily accessible? The interpretation given to the site is equally decisive for the vision. Will it be given a public or a private function? Will it be preserved for further scientific research? These perspectives require a multidisciplinary approach incorporated into a master plan.
The Heriland Blended Intensive Programme reinforced my belief that both tangible and intangible heritage are crucial for the protection of cultural heritage. In this case, it’s not just about the building itself which currently remains in ruin but also about the surrounding nature and culture. The ruins represent a beautiful symbiosis between the structure and the vegetation, highlighting how they can coexist harmoniously over time. Moreover, I advocate for a more bottom-up approach that incorporates community engagement. It seems that the Mariemont project is still in a policy phase, where the foundations and the local community have been insufficiently involved. I see this as a missed opportunity for the further development of the site. The local population should have a say and be involved in what happens to the ruins of Mariemont, as they have a unique relationship with this heritage. Their personal meanings and stories about the ruins hold significant value and extend beyond academic research. Understanding what these buildings have meant to the community over time is essential, as it can inform future decisions and ensure that the site resonates with those who live nearby.
Bibliography
Abdij Van Villers,
https://www.visit.brussels/nl/bezoekers/venue-details.Abdij-van-Villers.278160, Accessed October 2024.
Domain and Royal Museum of Mariemont, Morlanwelz, 25 January 2023,
https://7mostendangered.eu/sites/domain-and-royal-museum-of-mariemont-belgium/, Accessed October 2024.
Pil, Lut. 2023. Ruïnes in Een Landschap: De Abdij van Villers. Paperback. Artha, art & heritage books.
- Di Mattia, La sauvegarde des ruines du château situé dans le parc de mariemont,6 mars 2023, https://www.micheldimattia.be/post/la-sauvegarde-des-ruines-du-château-situé-dans-le-parc-de-mariemont, Accessed October 2024.
Gabriella Esposito De Vita, Community engagement for cultural landscape: a case study of heritage preservation and tourism development, Accessed October 2024.
About the author
Hanne Verhelst is a master’s student in Heritage Studies at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. This Blog post is based on her interest in ruins and community engagement and inspired by her participation in The Heriland Blended Intensive Programme “Heritage and Future Landscapes”, in Gothenburg, Sweden, in October 2024. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Architecture from Kuleuven Sint-Lucas Ghent.
Contact the author: Hanne.verhelst@hotmail.com