Historic cities conservation throughout cultural heritage laws : andalusian historic areas

Andalusia, the most southerly region in Spain, is distinguished by a rich cultural heritage, which is particularly well defined by the quantity and variety of protected historic areas containing. From 1933 to now, four different laws (national firstly, regional lately) and a large number of ordinances, decrees and regulations have determined the definition and conditions under which historical settlements have been declared. This paper aims to set up an interdisciplinary perspective on the protection of cultural and historical heritage, focusing on the 133 settlements declared as Historic Areas by the Spanish and Regional laws in Andalusia by a team formed by urban heritage experts, architects and lawyers. In order to reach this purpose, a deep research has been carried out. In conclusion, this research has shown that historical cities protection is closely to the laws which constitute a theoretical and practical framework to the values detected and the features that make an area worthy of the highest level of cultural protection, as well as determine the shape and conditions under they are declared, which certainly will define their future conservation