Significados do patrimônio cultural para a sociedade: um estudo de caso sobre o cento histórico da Lapa / PR

Abstract

This research aims at discussing about meanings of the cultural patrimony for society; which meanings are related to cities and material patrimony, from the local inhabitants’ as well as from the patrimony field’s researchers (mainly architects) point of view. Based on a case study that was conducted on the historical center of Lapa city (Paraná state, Brazil), different meanings and behaviors related to the cultural patrimony were analyzed, following a qualitative and an interpretive methodological approach. The research methods include: interviews, questionnaires, mental maps, and images that represent Lapa city, from its inhabitants’ point of view, as well from architects’ and from other professionals’ (who work at public cultural institutions) point of view. The main results of this research include some analysis about the preservation condition of the material patrimony of Lapa city, searching for its relationship with its meanings for the local population, and for patrimony field’s researchers. This research aims at contributing for a better understanding about the process of cultural patrimonialization, based on the opinion of the local community, as well as of the patrimony professionals. It brings to light multiple meanings of the material culture, which is inter-related to the city’s identity, as well as to citizens’ identity and memory.