Historical Heritage versus Modern Heritage. Conservation Issues Concerning the Edificio de los Poderes (Building of Powers) in Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

Modern heritage has been destroyed because of its undervalued status and because of an inconclusive process of appropriation. Campeche, Mexico, is an example of a place that, like other cities with modern heritage, has suffered the gradual demolition of its cultural heritage. With the arrival of the proposal of conceiving Campeche as an essentially colonial city, the destruction of modern heritage accelerated: until then buildings representing modern architecture cohabited with constructions of other periods in the historical centre of the walled city. This chronicle focuses on the case of the Edificio de los Poderes (Building of Powers) as the most representative example of modern heritage that is being affected. There are, however, other modern heritage buildings under threat that are in urgent need for protection.