Architectural typology and historical monuments areas. The case of San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz

Abstract

Usually, the decision-making processes on the valuation and conservation of heritage components obeys subjective criteria. In the seventies, architectural typology remerges as an evaluating tool for the assessment of these components. This methodology shows that traditional, vernacular, popular or “minor architecture”, can also bear worthy elements to be preserved. And, given that typological studies help to identify components and relations that could be considered constant within certain limits, it opens areas of opportunity to document, and establish broad criteria for safeguarding ancient populations, in which buildings of different times, styles and relevance coexisted. This paper exposes the analysis results of the architectural typology of San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz, derived from the record of elements that compose it, and that could serve as a basis for urban preservation proposals and management, both in the case study and in similar populations.