Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present tools to support the preventive conservation of heritage buildings as part of the results of the vlirCPM research project. The tools presented are inventory systems, damage registration system, monitoring and control system, which include preventive conservation manuals and maintenance booklets. Design/methodology/approach The methodology proposes the design of tools that support the preventive conservation of heritage buildings, which have been designed, tested and applied in the south of Ecuador through the use of maintenance campaigns in rural and urban areas. Findings The project developed and tested some important analysis methodologies that are now part of the research and documentation activities of the monuments of Cuenca, which have been addressed in this paper, such as the damage registration system of heritage buildings (SISREDA), the monitoring and control system, the preventive conservation manuals, the maintenance booklets and its application in the maintenance campaigns. Originality/value The city of Cuenca, recognized as Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO, 1999), has a wealth of heritage buildings which are susceptible to several threats that cause its deterioration. The vlirCPM (World Heritage City) research project of the faculty of architecture of the University of Cuenca has contributed to the development of tools to improve the management of world heritage sites in southern Ecuador. These tools are the result of ten years of research.

Abstract. Ecuador is blessed by the presence of age-old buildings and places that deserve to be preserved. One of these places is Susudel, whose historical center was declared Cultural Heritage of Ecuador in 2013. One of the most emblematic buildings in the province of Azuay is located here, the chapel of Susudel. This chapel, which belongs to a large estate, is an example of colonial architecture in which traditional construction techniques and materials have been used, such as adobe, bricks, wood and roof tiles. This ancestral knowledge typical of vernacular heritage architecture deserves to be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. This investigation shows several constructive elements that give a special technological value to the chapel. The interior of the chapel contains a significant sample of murals, which constitute a religious symbol of the colonial era. The aim of this investigation is to establish conservation strategies through the identification of stakeholders, roles, maintenance actions and maintenance tools that result in a preventive conservation and monitoring plan for the chapel. The methodology used is based on the preventive conservation phases as proposed by ICOMOS 2003: anamnesis, diagnosis, therapy and control, which is complemented by recommendations that include the active participation of the community and institutions responsible for the conservation of built heritage.

Abstract. The richness of the historical landscape environments of the popular architecture which is often built with vernacular systems whose technology and knowledge are transmitted from generation to generation through practice, suffers a series of threats caused by the irruption of new architecture models and the use of industrialized materials. Also the social factors have built stigmata and contempt or undervaluation for traditional ways of solving the habitat or architecture of community interest such as communal houses, temples, etc. This has caused a loss of quality and personality in the environments in which rural and marginal urban communities live in ecuadorian territory. One of the factors clearly identified as driving this breakdown of the natural process of loss of wisdom and knowledge, has been the distancing of new generations from what their parents do or did. Many times falsely articulated to a denial of local culture itself and ostentation on the basis of architecture unrelated to the place. With these considerations as a backdrop, a workshop for adults and children was set up. The objective was to build intergenerational bridges and to foster an appreciation of vernacular architecture, jointly discovering the benefits and the nobility of this way of doing architecture, and articulating it with the patrimonial values of the place. This article analyzes an experience applied between the years 2018 and 2019, in the community of Susudel, in Ecuador.

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