Bill 725.

Summary.

The bill proposes to recognize, protect, conserve and promote the quincha house as part of the Nation’s tangible cultural heritage. It would cover homes and structures built using traditional quincha techniques on public or private property. It defines these houses by their natural materials, including wood, vines, cane, straw, earth, and palm-leaf or tile roofs. It declares quincha, earthen and adobe construction tangible heritage, while recognizing building techniques, the transmission of knowledge and the collaborative work of the Junta de Embarra/ Embarre as intangible heritage.

The bill gives priority to preserving original materials, interior and exterior layouts, traditional building processes and features that define each building. Interior or exterior work would have to be environmentally compatible, reversible and distinguishable, without impairing the values supporting protection. It creates the National Register of Quincha Houses under the Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura). Identification criteria address age, physical condition, techniques, cultural value, use, residents, materials, master builders and community participation. The Ministry would also prepare an inventory and register containing architectural, technical and historical information.

Through the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage (Dirección Nacional de Patrimonio Cultural), and in coordination with local authorities, the Ministry would adopt measures for protection, conservation, rehabilitation and enhancement under Law 175 of 2020, referred to in the text as Ley W 175 de 2020, and the bill. It would also establish training programs to transmit master artisans’ knowledge and arrange for these buildings to be included in official registers of immovable cultural property. The declaration would leave private ownership in place while imposing conservation and maintenance duties on owners. They would have to follow the preservation rules and, where necessary, seek guidance before undertaking work. Demolition would require the Ministry’s express authorization. Authorized work would respect traditional materials and techniques and be directed by certified master builders.

The State would promote training, technical assistance and access to traditional natural materials through conservation policies. The bill provides for tax exemptions, subsidies, preferential loans and free technical advice. It also calls for heritage routes, cultural tourism, community projects and promotion of these buildings as tourist accommodation. It treats unauthorized demolition, unlawful alterations and intentional abandonment or deterioration as violations. For destruction or alteration of built heritage, it provides fines from 81.500 to 81.50,000, as written in the bill, together with duties of rehabilitation, restoration, adaptation and maintenance. The Executive Branch would issue implementing regulations within six months, and municipalities and state bodies would support implementation. The law would take effect upon promulgation.

The proposal concerns the Ministry of Culture, the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage, local authorities and municipalities. It could affect or interest owners, residents, master builders and communities associated with quincha houses, as well as the construction, restoration and cultural tourism sectors.