Mexican Cities Inscribed on the World Heritage List, a Current Overview
The Historic City might be perceived as a complex and unpredictable phenomenon. The geographer, for example, always found virgin or rural areas but always stopped at the gates of the city; the historian meanwhile, has been concerned with restoring the livelihoods of different generations and describe the evolution of the material framework and conditions of their habitat, but in short, different specialists of urban phenomenon have never been able to fully reflect all dimensions. In a way the Historic Cities have always been an elusive object. Discussing the historical cities seems to be an endless task fraught with ways to discover and explore. The expert or the occasional visitor who contemplates the city, sees a living element, a dynamic space. In this sense, this lecture aims to serve as an instrument to formulate and reformulate mechanisms for conservation and sustainability, and above all, to have a full perception of the arduous and exciting developments that for many years this efforts have meant for urbanization of Historic Cities in Mexico.
Francisco Lopez is an Architect from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, holds a Master’s degree in Heritage Conservation by the National School of Restoration from the National Institute of Anthropology and History and a Master’s and PhD in Urban Design and Planning from the University of Grenoble II in France, Francisco has over 20 years of experience in the field of protection, dissemination and preservation of World Heritage. He specialized in the indissoluble relationship between architecture and heritage, as a field to study different subjects and apply practical knowledge. He is the Director of World Heritage National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Francisco has a highly recognized trajectory that includes the operation of programs "in situ" to promote theoretical foundations and promote international initiatives to support public policies in favor of World Heritage Properties and those in the process of becoming part of the prestigious list. He has maintained a lifelong commitment to Mexico's participation in international forums, enhancing the ancient and modern wealth of the country. He is author or coauthor of several books and currently directs the publication of the INAH Hereditas. It has been recognized by national and international institutions and has won several awards.