Traditional Knowledge and the World Databank for Safeguarding Ecosystems

Traditional knowledge is a sum of ancient techniques and practices, which is specific to a territory and passed on over generations, for water harvest ing, soil management, the use and protection of natural areas, rural architecture and for organizing urban centres. They are the historical knowledge of humanity that enabled people to build architecture and landscapes with a universal value and are today protected by UNESCO under the category of cultural landscapes. An appropriate use of natural resources such as water, soil and energy is made possible by using traditional knowledge that establishes the harmony of architecture with the environment, the symbiosis of the techniques of organization of space with the traditions, the social habits, the spiritual values and the fusion between practical aspects and beauty.

Today, traditional knowledge is in danger and its disappearance would cause the loss not only of people's capability to keep and pass on the artistic and natural herit age, but also of an extraordinary source of knowledge and cultural diversity from which appropriate innovative solutions can be derived today and in the future.

UNESCO launched a global programme for an inventory assigned to IPOGEA — Research Centre on Traditional and Local Knowledge. The project gathers and protects historical knowledge and promotes and certifies innovative practices based on the modern reappropriation of tradition. The main targets are the firms, natural areas and historical centres that will be assigned quality trademarks and acknowl edgements of international excellence in production or use of good practices and innovative solutions. Each technology, proposition and achievement will provide a spin-off on an international scale and each good practice will contribute to safe guarding the whole planet.