TOOLS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROTECT AND FAVOR SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION AND (RE-) USE OF EARTHEN HERITAGE IN AUVERGNE RHÔNE ALPES REGION, FRANCE

Abstract. In 2018, a guide to the attention of the local governments has been published by CRAterre, entitled « Guide à destination des collectivités territoriales pour la réhabilitation et la valorisation du bâti en pisé ». It is one of the main results of a four years projects funded by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region on traditional rammed earth buildings that included researches on the geographical repartition, the variety of typologies, the state of conservation and the potential for sustainable development in the Region. It contains an organised series of recommendations and tools that could be implemented for the identification and revitalisation of rammed-earth vernacular heritage at a local level. These have been prepared as a response to the overall assessment made which revealed high potential and responsibility on the part of local governments to protect this heritage, promote continuity of its uses and to disseminate good rehabilitation practices. This paper presents the participative approach adopted for both the research process and the elaboration of the guide. That resulted in developing some original contents to the attention of the variety of groups of stakeholders. These were tested in the field and gradually improved taking into account the interactions with the local politicians and actors. The paper also covers a reflection on further dissemination of the knowledge developed for applications at a wider scale.