Traditional Identity and the Progressive Loss of Local Character in La Sagra Region (Toledo, Spain)

This study presents the basic aspects of a research dealing with the identity features of the architectural tradition of La Sagra region, in the Spanish province of Toledo, and the needed review of the criteria applicable to its conservation in order to avoid its disappearance. The problems presented in this regional analysis are very similar to those in other places and, therefore, similar studies may be valid for them. For this research, the architectural tradition had to be studied first, as the existing diversity and complexity in the local traditions of this area were unknown before undertaking this study, all previous studies considering it as a homogeneous entity. Finally, towns have been studied building by building, recording the transformations operated in each one of them. This is, the evolution of the building elements which define local urban landscape. To this aim, the composition, volumes and various constructive solutions used both in the new buildings and in the interventions made in the last decades on existing buildings have been analysed, then contrasting them with the traditional local identity municipal regulations of each town seek for preserving. Finally, the results obtained have been compared with that stipulated by the regulations in question, trying in this way to identify their strengths and capacities.