Vernacular architectural form and the planning paradox: A study of actual and perceived rural building tradition

Research in Scotland has described a paradox in the UK planning system as i t tries to encourage tradition and vernacular architecture in the rural bui lt environment. It is suggested that the paradox, which is demonstrated to be at least partially instigated and perpetuated by much of the literature on vernacular local architecture, emanates from a flawed implicit definitio n, in the minds of many planners, of the nature of vernacular built forms. The thesis of this paper hinges around a discussion of the true nature of a ppropriate vernacular form in relation to changing, culturally driven, cont emporary tradition. It is supported by evidence from the literature on the subject, demonstrating shifting perceptions of "place" and the use of symbo ls in our appreciation and planning of built environments which reflect a s trongly historicist perspective. Empirical evidence is presented which demo nstrates that many of our mental constructs of tradition in the rural built environment are based on a partial, historical view which does little to a ccommodate evolution and necessary change in rural systems. It is proposed that a systems-based, broadly "ecological" approach to the way in which bui lt environments address local economic, social, resource, and environmental criteria is a more appropriate response to the control of rural architectu ral form than current models, based as they are largely on conformity to a "checklist" of visual criteria constructed around an "inauthentic" view of "place".