Introduction: Values-based approaches are among the best practices for management and conservation planning. However, cultural significance assessments (of the attributes and values of cultural heritage) have generally been performed by experts (top-down) instead of including expert and nonexpert communities (top-down and bottom-up). Objectives: This paper presents a multitechnique approach in which different strategies are applied to assess the perceptions of cultural significance held by several actors (users, managers, staff, experts, children, students, virtual community) within the framework of the Keeping It Modern Grant awarded by the Getty Foundation (2020–2023) for the Ocean Swimming Pool (1960–1966) designed by Álvaro Siza in Matosinhos, Portugal. Method: Interviews, surveys, social media analysis, and workshops with children, students, and experts were adopted for the method, and, whenever possible, the ‘Imagine Ballarat’ Love, Change and Imagine questions were utilised as a resourceful instrument for assessing the significance attributed by multiple stakeholders. Results: Based on the results, stakeholders’ opinions and values regarding the heritage site could be compared, which revealed the relationship between the values and the groups of actors, thereby deepening the complexity of heritage sites as National Monuments. Conclusion: By using this integrated perspective, we could define the cultural significance of a modern heritage site through an inclusive methodology while also establishing the grounds for conservation policies within a more broadly participative management of change.

This research focuses on the risk management of reinforced concrete heritage constructions in coastal environments, with an emphasis on preserving their cultural significance. It addresses a critical gap in existing risk-related research, since this type of heritage site is often overlooked in heritage conservation research. The proposed methodology offers a flexible framework that links natural and human-induced hazards with their impacts on key heritage values, enabling the development of appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies and policies. Climate change-induced threats are also incorporated, allowing for more effective adaptation plans to safeguard concrete coastal heritage for future generations. The Ocean Swimming Pool in Matosinhos, Portugal, designed by the Pritzker Prize winner Álvaro Siza, serves as a pilot study to illustrate the practicality of the risk-based approach, considering its coastal location and exposure to various hazards. By using this case study, the research provides a roadmap for preserving and adapting heritage constructions in similar coastal settings. The integration of cultural values into risk management and conservation policies is a significant contribution of this research. It advocates for a proactive approach that considers the dynamic challenges posed by climate change while preserving the significance of cultural heritage. The adaptable nature of the proposed methodology allows for broader applications, potentially benefiting multiple heritage sites in coastal regions. Ultimately, this research calls for positive changes in risk management practices to ensure the preservation and longevity of culturally significant reinforced concrete heritage sites.

One of the most important challenges faced by any listed cultural heritage is the development of a management system that conveys a resilient and integrated approach that can sustain its values for future generations. Management is one of the main factors affecting World Heritage Sites; thus, the increased complexity of a serial nomination enhances this risk. By integrating different stakeholders, a Joint Management Plan (JMP) is a key tool to settle common procedures and help different managers maintain a satisfactory balance in safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) in each component part. This paper aims to provide a framework for the development of JMPs for serial nominations, with support on the nomination proposal “Álvaro Siza’s Architecture: A Modern Contextualism Legacy”. Methods result from the cross-analysis of (i) policy analysis; (ii) archival research and digital documentation; (iii) collaborative strategies (surveys, interviews, workshops, meetings, consultations); (iv) fieldwork. Results confirmed that the development of JMPs must be sustained by an open and dynamic process, where engagement, mediation of conflicts, and flexibility are key principles. This work approaches a significant subject concerning the management of World Heritage serial nominations, focusing on JMPs for serial nominations, which are a rising trend in heritage management. A demonstration is applied to the WH nomination of works by Álvaro Siza, a prominent figure in worldwide contemporary architecture.

Digital Revolution is strongly impacting the safeguarding and enhancement of Cultural Heritage through the techniques and tools available for its documentation and communication. Specifically, modern heritage is a potentially fertile laboratory of work in this field because of the availability of the documental, physical, and oral sources required for its critical study and interpretation. This article aims to present an integrated methodology supported by combined techniques for the comprehensive digital documentation of modern architecture implemented on 18 buildings of Álvaro Siza included in the World Heritage Tentative List since 2017 supported on combined techniques: i) photogrammetry; ii) virtual tours through 360° photos; iii) didactic models in BIM iv) other digital tools, such as virtual reality. This holistic and integrated multi-methods approach provides better documentation and communication of the attributes of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), as well as of Alvaro Siza’s design principles as a guiding framework for the future management of change.

Los enfoques metodológicos de la arqueología brasileña en la arquitectura siempre han priorizado la información sobre las estructuras enterradas y la exhumación de los objetos. Durante el programa para la recuperación de ciudades históricas, llamado Monumenta, la falta de metodologías para el reconocimiento y análisis de la materialidad constructiva histórica, junto con el desarrollo inmobiliario acelerado, conllevó a la desaparición de parte del testimonio de la hibridación cultural de lo que ahora llamamos Brasil. El propósito de este artículo es mostrar el proceso práctico de los talleres que resultaron en un diseño metodológico para llenar el vacío en la actividad arqueológica brasileña con la restauración del edificio histórico. Después de analizar las limitaciones de los enfoques de arqueología de la arquitectura (AA) sobre los objetos locales, aplicamos “metodologías de enseñanza activa” a talleres pedagógicos para estudiantes universitarios de arqueología y arquitectura en la Universidad Federal de Sergipe. Los resultados de las intervenciones en las ruinas de “Casa n. 3” en Laranjeiras demuestran que la aplicación de AA en un contexto brasileño requiere adaptaciones, pero sigue siendo un instrumento eficiente para identificar y valorar la arquitectura histórica en los procesos de desaparición. [pt] As abordagens metodológicas da arqueologia brasileira sobre a arquitetura sempre priorizaram as informações acerca das estruturas soterradas e a exumação do espólio a elas associadas. Durante o programa de recuperação de cidades históricas, denominado Monumenta, a falta de metodologias para o reconhecimento e a análise da materialidade construtiva histórica, aliada a um acelerado desenvolvimento imobiliário, ampliou o desaparecimento de parte do testemunho do hibridismo cultural do que hoje chamamos Brasil. O objetivo principal do presente artigo é demonstrar o processo de elaboração das oficinas que resultou num desenho metodológico para sanar as lacunas da atividade arqueológica brasileira no restauro da edificação histórica. Após análise das limitações das abordagens da arqueologia da arquitetura (AA) para pensar as edificações locais, aplicamos “metodologias ativas de ensino” para alunos de graduação em arqueologia e arquitetura, da Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Os resultados das intervenções nas ruínas da “Casa n. 3” em Laranjeiras demonstram que a aplicação da AA em contexto brasileiro requer adaptações, mas ainda se constitui em um eficiente instrumento para identificação e valorização da arquitetura histórica em processos de desaparecimento.