Informality in architectural heritage: A conceptual framework for inclusive conservation practice

The role of informality in architectural heritage conservation has remained underexplored despite its increasing significance in urban governance and community-led preservation. This study develops a conceptual framework to define and analyse informality within the context of tangible cultural heritage. Drawing on interdisciplinary insights from architecture, urban planning, and anthropology, the paper addresses the lack of theoretical clarity and empirical grounding in existing conservation literature. Using a systematic literature review of 24 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025, the research identifies key attributes, such as adaptability, non-regulation, political negotiation, and community agency. It maps these across four dimensions: informal actors, practices, spaces, and governance. The findings underscore that the informal practices, often excluded from formal frameworks, play a crucial role in sustaining architectural heritage, especially in regions with limited institutional capacity. These practices include grassroots-led maintenance, vernacular adaptation, and public participation in decision-making. The study proposes an inclusive, bottom-up model integrating informal actors and practices with formal conservation policies. It advocates for institutional recognition of community contributions, development of capacity-building initiatives, and flexible policy design to accommodate informal dynamics. The proposed framework aims to support more sustainable, inclusive, and locally grounded approaches to heritage conservation, particularly relevant in urban areas of the Global South.