Abstract
In this article we analyze the performance of the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) in Ouro Preto since the city was listed as a cultural heritage in 1938 until 1975. Seen as exceptional and authentic by IPHAN experts, the urban area was treated as a work of art that could be maintained in its entirety. However, the population growth has led to large spatial and social changes both in the historic city and in its suburbs. The article discusses the adoption of criteria and management forms in the city, providing clues for understanding some of the main challenges and changes in cultural preservation policies in Brazil in the period.
Keywords:
cultural heritage; IPHAN; Ouro Preto; urban site; preservation; historic city