Oltre le barriere del tempo e dell’autorialità? Osservazioni sul concetto di patrimonio UNESCO

There are almost daily discussions on modern or contemporary architecture, both of renowned or unknown authors, which are not preserved but restored, adapted, refurbished, and updated, when not demolished and replaced. It is not a concern of private assets but also public buildings which can be sold when younger than seventy years old. The case studies dealt with by newspapers, professionals, and scholars suggest the opportunity to reflect on both Italian and foreign legislation on the protection of modern and contemporary architecture. Some points of the UNESCO Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage will be focused to question the complementary role of international organizations as a guarantee for a preservation model, perhaps still based on historical-critical but supranational criteria. While many countries must still overcome the frame of age and authorship, the supranational body can act as an interpreter to balance the cultural and ideological omissions linked to different contexts.