International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE)

ECOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY OF TRADITIONAL DWELLINGS

Author(s): Gerard Toffin
Source: Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review, Vol. 4, No. 1, DEVELOPMENT VS.
TRADITION: THE CULTURAL ECOLOGY OF DWELLINGS AND SETTLEMENTS: THIRD
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 811, 1992 PARIS FRANCE (FALL 1992), p. 67
Published by: International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE)
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/23565694 .
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 67

KEYNOTE PAPERS ECOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGYOF

TRADITIONALDWELLINGS
Gerard Toffin
WHY HISTORY?
The dwellings of traditional societies generally respond to
Oleg Grabar
numerous determinants: ecological, economic and cultural.
forAdvancedStudy.Princeton,
Institute U.S.A.
Recent research has emphasized this interdisciplinary approach
and has given priority to interactions between these different

THE POLITICS OF POSITION factors. Through the use of examples drawn from various regions
of the world, this paper will illustrate how this multiple
AnthonyKing
perspective makes it possible to go beyond deterministic
ofNew Yorkat Binghamton,
State University US.A. which are both outdated and oversimplified. This
approaches,
multiple perspective approach will help to throw new light on a

DEVELOPMENT AND TRADITION particularly complex area of study.

Zmarak Shalizi
In addition, this paper attempts to show the ways in which the
WorldBank,Washington
U.C.,U.S.A. traditional is not just an isolated element within a
dwelling
culture, but is part of a series of technical processes as well as a
of symbolic representations which give it meaning. The
THE ECOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY OF system
and
dwelling thus appears as an object central to anthropological
TRADITIONALDWELUNGS
ethnographic study.
Gerard Toffin
societoset culturesen Himalaya",CNRS.
Laboratoire"Miteux,
Paris,France ANALYSIS, AESTHETICS AND PRESERVATION OF RURAL
FRENCHCONSTRUCTIONS
ANALYSIS, AESTHETICS AND PRESERVATION OF RURAL Isac Chiva
FRENCH CONSTRUCTIONS
Isac Chiva France has a particularly rich heritage of rural architecture which

Laboratoire Sociale, CNRS,Collegede France, reflects the country's tremendous diversity of geography, culture,
d'Anthropologie
and life-style. Transformations presently occurring in the country
Paris,France the past
side are causing profound upheavals in this heritage. Over
substantial research has explored the forms, functions, and
century,
models of this architecture, as well as its relationship to the

landscape, social transformations, work in the fields, and daily life.

THE POLITICS OF POSITION Paradoxically, if in this rich body of work it is possible to find
allusions and presuppositions concerning the aesthetics of rural
AnthonyKing
constructions, explicit and pertinent analysis are rare. The paper
addresses this lack of analysis and suggests possible ways of
The paper shall address some of rhe contradictions posited by the overcoming it.
theme "Development vs. Tradition" not least, its oppositional
also
construction drawing selectively on a variety of contempo In addition, it should be noted that in France, the museographical

rary theoretical discourses and positions to address some of the means for protection and conservation of this architecture are also

topics proposed for the conference sessions. Themes which I intend There are, in effect, no open-air museums, and the "Eco
lacking.
to take up will include the instability of theory ("if one never stops, muses" chat include rural constructions are few. Only a tiny part
how can one speak?" San); the illusionary nature of recent so-called of the protection conferred by the public system referred to as
of Western and thought, and the inversion of construction,
de-centerings knowledge "listing of historic monuments" involves this type
of educational paradigms; and the deconstruction of building, which in addition is treated separately from its surroundings. This

speaking and writing as cultural practices. Contrary to what the will thus deal with the conditions and possibilities of a more

foregoing might suggest, my objective will be to sharpen the focus effective policy for protecting this heritage.
with which we can examine the objectives of our conference.

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