In
co-ordination with the Centre for Basque Cultural Heritage, we form a continually up-dated information base concerning those items to be protected.
Furthermore, the various converging standards (accessibility, inhabitability, etc.) are brought into line according to the rules governing the protection
of these items.
ARABARRI
is a consultative body in the outlining of urban planning, lending its viewpoint from the perspective of heritage protection and finding viable solutions
to those problems that this protection entails (urban ordinance, road plans, etc.).
It collaborates with those institutions involved in the problems that arise from the dysfunction between regulations and needs; seeking inter-institutional
and inter-departmental co-ordination.
Taking
as a starting point the concept of the "cultural landscape", made up of elements which acquire their true dimension when seen as part of a whole
(hermitages, bridges, mills, etc.), plans for protection on a small scale can be drawn up which allow these formations to be understood as such.
Definition
of plans on a small scale, setting out criteria and solutions for the recovery and valuation of the protected items.
Taking
as its sphere of action all those buildings conceived of as protectable, ARABARRI offers a comprehensive consultation to their proprietors, collaborating
in the diagnosis of faults and needs, advising in the search for solutions both technically adequate and economically viable, drawing up the relevant
technical documents, contracting those companies guaranteed to be capable of undertaking the work and carrying out its supervision. Similarly, economic
aid is established, according to criteria based on the value of the item, the appropriateness of the action taken and the individual circumstances of
the developer.
Furthermore, we handle the securing of any possible further aid, either by informing the developer regarding the appropriate procedures to be taken or
by channelling the request directly through ARABARRI.
In
accordance with the directives set out by the Architectonic Historical Heritage Service of the County Council, ARABARRI acts as a contracting body, from
the studies prior to the project to the work itself; it manages the possible external financing and carries out technical, economic and administrative
supervision throughout the whole process.
ARABARRI
attempts to achieve a greater involvement of society in the protection of its heritage and encourages private initiative in restoration actions.
To this end, it aims to offer the highest incentives (economic, fiscal, etc.) to potential sponsors of activities in the advertising, restoration and
promotion of heritage.
ARABARRI
takes part in the organisation of training courses for the various professionals dedicated to restoration: architects, surveyors, archaeologists, historians
and constructors.
At the same time it promotes forums for the interchange of experiences and viewpoints among all those involved in heritage protection (administration,
governing bodies, the general public, etc.).
Seeking
to repay the efforts that society has made to protect its heritage, ARABARRI widely promotes the awareness of the heritage of Alava, with special emphasis
on those inhabitants who are closest to the item in question.
It offers, among other activities, guided tours of monuments and those works that are in progress.
Pamphlets are published to report on these events.
The
effort put into the protection of heritage should be seen as an investment.
Heritage can be the engine for the economic recovery of places, buildings and urban centres, given that its original character is respected. The final
aim of all restoration is the use, in the widest sense, of the item that has been recovered.
