Session: #479

Content:

Looking after heritage assets whether as archaeological sites, ancient landscapes, or historic buildings is an increasingly challenging task. Public authorities do not have the capacity or resources to deal with more than a very small fraction of what we now know exists, and increasingly look for public value in what they support. Private bodies and individuals are under pressure to realize financial value from the places they own during the course of development and redevelopment. Conservation as the sustainable and ethically sound management and maintenance of heritage assets needs new and innovative approaches to match these challenges. One such approach is ‘constructive conservation’ which encourages positive, well-informed, collaborative engagements with heritage assets; a flexible process that helps people understand their historic environment and then use that perspective to manage change. Especially important is recognizing, protecting, drawing out, and enhancing the significance of historic places. Creativity is important too, especially in finding new uses for old places in order to give them a secure future.
This session aims to provide a forum in which to illustrate and discuss constructive conservation as an innovative paradigm in contemporary heritage management. Papers are invited on the emergence and development of the idea of constructive conservation; case studies of successful (or unsuccessful examples); and considerations of the ethical and legal implications of constructive conservation in various jurisdictions. It is hoped that the session will range widely, including contributions on buildings, monuments, and landscapes, or combinations of all three. Contributions relating to the fulfillment of one or more of the United Nation’s 17 Goals for Sustainable Development through constructive conservation would be especially welcome.

Session: #479

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