2020 ICOMOS 6 ISCs Joint Meeting Proceedings
2020 ICOMOS 6 ISCs Joint Meeting Proceedings
2020 ICOMOS 6 ISCs Joint Meeting Proceedings
17 October 2020
Presented by 6 ICOMOS-ISCs
ICORP, ISCARSAH, ISCEAH, ICTC, ISCES+CC and CIPA
Foreword
This proceeding is generated by the papers presented in the 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
Advancing Risk Management for the Shared Future Joint Meeting. Consistent with the
objective of ICOMOS, cross-disciplinary collaborations between International
Scientific Committees have long been encouraged. For promoting the exchange of
information and knowledge on cultural heritage conservation. The 6 ICOMOS-ISCs,
including ICORP, ISCARSAH, ISCEAH, ICTC, ISCES+CC and CIPA, work
cooperatively in organizing this joint meeting. The Webinar and Online Presentation is
held on 17 October 2020. It aims to develop clear trans-disciplinary recommendations
by addressing risk management in cultural heritage via this collaborative engagement.
The outcome of this joint meeting is based on developing potential tools (a selection
of papers or guideline drafts) to risk management in cultural heritage for further
implementation by the practitioners. The 6-ISCs Joint Meeting aims to provide a forum
for considering the various threats (whether natural cause or human error) in cultural
heritage regarding how to address and where to start by shared responsibility. By
creating new tools and guidance among interdisciplinary fields, it shall lead us to
achieve a shared future - with the theme- “Advancing Risk Management for the Shared
Future”. This joint meeting offers the opportunity to bring wider participants across the
heritage sector in global together to share, exchange and collaborate regarding the
relevant issues.
Theme - Advancing Risk Management for the Shared Future. The Risk management
of Cultural Heritage is the theme of this joint meeting, including the following topics:
(1) Climate Change and Cultural Heritage,
(2) Disaster Risk Management and Resilience,
(3) Post-disaster reconstruction and authenticity,
(4) Post-disaster management,
(5) Relevant subjects, particularly the issues/case studies regarding Wildfires and
Heritage — Community Engagement, Preparedness, Resilience and Recovery.
i
ICOMOS General Assembly 2020
ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites) is a global
organisation of cultural heritage professionals with its headquarters in Paris, which
serves as the principal advisory body on cultural heritage to the UNESCO World
Heritage Committee. ICOMOS has over 9,500 members and more than 110 National
Committees throughout the world. ICOMOS works for the conservation and protection
of cultural heritage places. It is the only global non-government organisation of this
kind, which is dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology, and
scientific techniques to the conservation of the architectural and archaeological heritage.
The theme of the ICOMOS General Assembly 2020's Scientific Symposium: ‘Shared
Cultures – Shared Heritage – Shared Responsibility’, reflects the global context of
heritage as part of cultural identity at a time of rapid population shift, conflict and
environmental uncertainty. The important notion of shared stewardship, for which the
‘culture-nature journey’ is of particular relevance, requires agreed approaches to the
sustainable protection, conservation and safeguarding of heritage. On 7 October 2020,
Australia ICOMOS organised 'GA2020 MARKER EVENT' to acknowledge the work
undertaken to organise the 20th Triennial General Assembly and Scientific Symposium
of ICOMOS that could not be hosted in Sydney in 2020.
ii
Advancing Risk Management for the Shared Future
17 October 2020
http://www.6isc2020ga.org/index.html
iii
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Vice President
ICOMOS
Professor
Architectural Conservation and Sustainability
Engineering, Carleton University
Dr. Santana’s research interest involves the digital advancement workflows for recording
buildings in 3D with a high resolution of detail; this is essential for better characterizing
existing buildings and implementing tailored rehabilitation, adaptive use, maintenance and
sustainability approaches. Besides, the development of guidelines, specifications and
protocols for the improvement of heritage information in the conservation process. As well
as to design approaches for handling, storing and presenting large volumes of data generated
from the heritage information-gathering activities.
iv
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Chris Marrion
President
International Committee on Risk Preparedness,
ICORP
Chris is Founder/CEO of Marrion Fire & Risk Consulting, special expert for National Fire
Protection Association, National Fire Heritage Center’s Board of Directors, SFPE Fellow
and on the ICORP Bureau. He focuses on protecting our cultural heritage from fire/disasters.
Chris is a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), a Director of the NY
Metro Chapter of SFPE, Chairperson of the SFPE Design Basis Fires Committee, and
Member of the New York Landmarks Preservation Conservancy. He holds a Master’s Degree
in Fire Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer.
v
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Efstratios Stylianidis
President
International Committee on Heritage
Documentation, CIPA
I am the author of 2 theses, 2 books, more than 70 scientific publications in peer reviewed
journals and conferences proceedings, 8 invited chapters in books as well as the editor of 2
books. I have participated in more than 50 national and mainly international research
projects, 8 of which as the scientific and project coordinator. I received scholarships from
the State Scholarship Foundation (Greece), the Greek Technical Chamber and the A. G.
Leventis Foundation. In 2017, I received the European Satellite Navigation Competition
2017 award (Madrid Challenge), as EU-H2020 LARA project coordinator. The period
January - June 2018, I was a visiting Professor at the Columbia University, Graduate School
of Architecture, Planning and Conservation (GSAPP). As an invited speaker, I gave lectures
at Columbia University, Princeton University, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
/ Cotsen Institute of Archeology, the Getty Conservation Institute, and Tsinghua University.
vi
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Fergus T. Maclaren
President
International Cultural Tourism Committee, ICTC
vii
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Peter Cox
President
International Scientific Committee on Energy and
Sustainability and Climate Change, ISCES+CC
Peter has a background in chemical engineering and materials science he has worked in
the analysis of decay of historic masonry, the treatment of stone and mortar in Heritage
Buildings for over 35 years. He established Carrig Conservation International in 1993 –
Carrig incorporates, Carrig Conservation – Carrig Research and Carrig Energy Conservation.
Carrig has offices in Dublin, London and Naples, Italy with partnerships in Melbourne and
Montreal.
Peter has been an active member of ICOMOS Ireland for many years and has held both
vice-president and was President of ICOMOS Ireland from 2004 - 2008. Peter is also very
active on the international ICOMOS scene and recently represented ICOMOS International
on the CEN/TC346/WG8 on “Energy Efficiency in Heritage Buildings”. Peter is President
of the International Scientific Committee on Energy & Sustainability and Climate Change”
(ISCES+CC), which is a leading research group in this sector. Peter is chair of the ICOMOS
Ireland National Scientific Committee on Energy, Sustainability and Climate Change.
viii
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Stephen J. Kelley
Secretary-General
International Scientific Committee on the
Analysis and Restoration of Structures of
Architectural Heritage, ISCARSAH
Stephen J. Kelley, FAIA, SE, FAPT, FUSICOMOS is a registered architect and structural
engineer who has devoted these two skills to the preservation of our built cultural heritage.
His projects are located throughout the United States, but he has also worked on significant
projects in Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean basin. He has performed
significant evaluation work in response to natural and manmade disasters.
Mr. Kelley is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He has served on the Board
of Directors of both US/ICOMOS and the Association for Preservation Technology (APT)
and was elevated to Fellowship in both organizations. Mr. He is a UNESCO Tangible
Heritage Expert and is currently Secretary-General of ISCARSAH.
ix
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Claudia Cancino
Claudia Cancino is a licensed architect from Peru and manages the Getty Conservation
Institute Earthen Architecture Initiative which has three components: The Seismic
Retrofitting Project in Peru, the Earthen Architecture Course in Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi and the
Terra 2021 Congress in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She also manages the Retrofitting and Repair
Component of the GCI Bagan Conservation Project. She earned a certificate in conservation
at ICCROM in Rome, followed by graduate training in business administration at ESAN in
Lima. She practiced preservation architecture and has taught Earthen Conservation at several
universities in Peru, Morocco, Portugal, Canada, UAE and USA. She earned a Master of
Science in Historic Preservation and an advanced certificate in conservation from the
University of Pennsylvania. She is the chair of the Seismic theme of ISCEAH.
x
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Rohit Jigyasu
Vice President
ICOMOS
Rohit Jigyasu is a conservation architect and risk management professional from India,
who is currently Vice President of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Risk
Preparedness (ICORP). Rohit served as UNESCO Chair holder professor at the Institute for
Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage at Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan,
where he was instrumental in developing and teaching International Training Course on
Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage. He was the elected President of ICOMOS-
India from 2014-2018 and president of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Risk
Preparedness (ICORP) from 2010-2019. Rohit has been the Elected Member of the Executive
Committee of ICOMOS since 2011 and is currently serving as its Vice President for the
period 2017-2020. He is currently working at ICCROM as Project Manager on Urban
Heritage, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management. Before joining ICCROM, Rohit
has been working with several national and international organizations such as UNESCO,
UNISDR, Getty Conservation Institute and World Bank for consultancy, research and
training on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage.
xi
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Catherine Forbes
Principal
GML Heritage
xii
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Takeyuki Okubo
Professor/ Director
Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban
Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University
Takeyuki OKUBO is a professor at the Graduate School and College of Science and
Engineering, Ritsumeikan University and the director at the Institute of Disaster Mitigation
for Urban Cultural Heritage (http://www.r-dmuch.jp/en/index.html). He is also a member of
ICORP and JP-ICOMOS. His background in civil engineering, architecture and global
environmental engineering informs his current research interests in urban design for disaster
mitigation and architectural designs which promote the utilization of traditional knowledge
and wooden materials. His recent work in partnership with colleagues Professor Rohit
Jigyasu and Professor Kenzo Toki is UNESCO Chair International Training Course on
disaster risk management for cultural heritage and historic city, which is holding every year
since 2006. His recent article is “Traditional Knowledge for Disaster Mitigation in History
of Japanese Architectures and Cities”, total 199 pages, Gakugei Publishing (Kyoto, Japan),
June 2012. (in Japanese), “Introductory Volume” to Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation
Studies,Part2 Ⅲ.”Fire Disaster Mitigation Project in Historic Area around Sannei-zaka”,
pp.49-59,Asia Insatu (Japan),March 2010 (in English) and “Protecting Area of Traditional
Wooden Construction from Fires Due to Earthquakes Using Local Water - Plan and
Implementation of the Project on Environmental Water Supply System for Disaster
Prevention - “, Journal of Disaster Research Vol.2 No.4,pp. 284-291,2007 (in English).
xiii
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Professor
Department of Civil Engineering, National
Chiao-Tung University
xiv
Keynote Speaker / Panelist / Commenter / Moderator
Associate Professor
Department of Architecture
Director
Center for Cultural Sites Rehabilitation and
Development, China University of Technology
Alex is the associate professor of the Department of Architecture, and the director of the
Cultural Properties Research Centre, China University of Technology, Taipei. He is currently
the vice president of the International Committee for Documentation of Cultural Heritage
(CIPA), ICOMOS; the Member of ICORP and the Advisory Committee of the Asian
Network of Industrial Heritage (ANIH). He holds the PhD in Architectural History and
Theory with the specific interest in the conservation of heritage for more than 35 years. His
research field includes History of Architecture, History of Urban, Cultural Heritage
Conservation, Architectural Design. He was the Chair of the 25th International CIPA
Symposium (CIPA 2015).
xv
Contents
Foreword ……………………………………………………………… i
Program ……………………………………………………………….. iii
Contents ……………………………………………………………… xvi
I. Selected Papers -
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience
for Climate Change………………...…………………………… 1
xvi
7. FACING CLIMATE CHANGE: THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING
EARTHEN HERITAGE TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Masoud Nakhaei Ashtari………………………………………….……………68
xvii
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and
Authenticity…………………………………………………….158
xviii
9. PRESERVING THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF
DANUBE DELTA
Constantin Cazamir…………………………………………………………………………….233
xix
II. Selected Abstracts -
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience
for Climate Change……………………...…………………….296
4. “THE OLD LAND AND THE SEA. THE CARIBBEAN GENIUS LOCI
AND CLIMATE CHANGE”.
(LAC PANEL: CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DISASTERS)
Angela Rojas............................................................................................300
xx
8. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES INTEGRATING
STAKEHOLDERS IN A RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN:
“HUMBERSTONE AND SANTA LAURA SALTPETER WORKS,
CHILE.”
Marcela Hurtado......................................................................................305
xxi
16. BUILDING A SACRED PLACES HERITAGE NETWORK FOR
DISASTER RESILIENCE IN THE TEXAS GULF COAST REGION
Sedef Doganer..........................................................................................313
xxii
8. NURTURING TRADITIONAL TRADES FOR DISASTER RECOVERY
Mary Knaggs, Lynette Gurr.....................................................................322
xxiii
ICOMOS GA2020 - 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
I.
Selected Papers
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for
Climate Change
1
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
1.
IMPROVING THE ADAPTIVE CAPACITY OF HISTORIC
URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH, DESPITE OF OR AT THE
EXPENSE OF TOURISTS
Aylin Orbaşlı
Associate Professor, Oxford Brookes University, UK
Abstract
Cultural heritage, not only makes places attractive to tourism, but is a significant
contributor to urban identity and place attachment for residents. Older neighbourhoods,
through their walkable scale, diversity of uses and tenures support better community
relationships and contribute to urban resilience. Tourism, while an important economic
contributor, places pressure not only on cultural heritage but also on urban and
community infrastructure. Moreover, conditions of overtourism, threaten to disrupt
established networks and engender conditions of temporality and fragmentation for the
local population, thus reducing the capacity for resilience. Often emerging as small
scale stressors, disruptions triggered by tourism can slowly shift conditions over
thresholds that adversely impact local wellbeing and equitable access to resources. This
paper argues that the tourism industry and its multiple players, cultural heritage
management and urban resilience planning need to become better integrated, so as to
safeguard heritage, support local communities and to improve the capacity of historic
neighbourhoods to adapt to ongoing changes caused by or linked to climate change.
2
1. Introduction
In the context of an unfolding climate emergency, cities are emerging as key centres
for action, and city-scale policies and initiatives are increasingly becoming the focus of
UN Habitat and other agencies (Zeiderman et al. 2017). At the same time, the impacts
cultural tourism is being felt in much larger cities, compared to the small historic towns
that were previously seen to take the brunt of overtourism, and present different and
often more complex management challenges in these contexts.
Beyond making places attractive to tourism, cultural heritage makes a significant
contribution to urban identity and place attachment for residents. Older neighbourhoods
through their walkable scale, diversity of uses and tenures support better community
relationships and contribute to urban resilience. The contribution strong urban networks
make to community wellbeing and in responding to adverse situations, including
disasters and major climate events, is now recognised (Zhang and Li 2018). Tourism,
while an important economic generator, places pressure not only on cultural heritage
but also on urban and community infrastructure. Furthermore, conditions of
overtourism, threaten to disrupt established networks and contribute to situations of
temporality and fragmentation for the local population, thus reducing the capacity for
resilience.
Tourism can be both an opportunity and a threat to improving the resilience of
historic urban areas. But, long accepted methods of tourism management are no longer
sufficient to address the issues emerging from a rapidly evolving and increasingly
volatile tourism industry and concurrent patterns of rapid urban growth. In many cities,
action is only being taken once tipping points have been reached and a public outcry is
significantly loud. This is all too often too late to safeguard community wellbeing or to
reverse the changes in the urban environment that have been brought about by tourism.
The purpose of this paper is to position the role of cultural tourism management in the
context of resilience planning and disaster preparedness for historic urban
neighbourhoods.
3
neighbourhood, although the smallest unit on the scale, is also where the most human
interaction is observed. The importance of the capacity of a community to come back
after a shock and the role social factors play in urban resilience planning are
increasingly recognised (Leichenko 2011; Zhang and Li 2018).
The strength of a community is often considered in terms of wellbeing and measured
through indicators such as the quality of housing, the affordability of housing,
liveability of neighbourhoods (Zhang 2013). Some of the common characteristics of
historic neighbourhoods, such as walkability and mixed use, are also characteristics
associated with liveable places (Evans 2014). Liveability is also a condition of urban
districts’ ability to succeed economically (O’Brien 2012). It is also these characteristics
that make historic urban districts attractive to tourism.
While participation and inclusion emerge as wellbeing and resilience indicators, the
overriding political desire for economic betterment is often at the cost of social
betterment (Zhang 2013). Furthermore, it should be noted that fluid urban populations
and their fragmented interests mean that places often have less of a singular social
identity making social cohesion and inclusion complex issues to tackle (Khosla 2015;
Blake et al. 2007).
4
ways previously associated with small to medium sized historic towns (Orbaşlı 2000).
A growing number of larger European cities including Berlin, Amsterdam and
Barcelona are regularly cited as becoming overwhelmed or impacted by the pressures
of tourism (Milano et al. 2018).
Impacts such as rises in property prices, and a general lack of affordable housing as
the rental markets shift towards more lucrative short term lets are felt across a city. As
attractive, and often historic, neighbourhoods are taken over by tourism uses, local
residents and the businesses that support them are pushed out to the periphery,
disrupting established social networks. Living further out, increases commuting times
to jobs and central amenities, eroding quality of life for many local residents, as well as
increasing the demand for infrastructure.
Figure 1: As city centre uses turn exclusively to tourism, local communities become
marginalized and pushed to the urban periphery, ultimately causing the urban
resilience infrastructure to become fragmented. Image of Warsaw in Poland, taken by
the author, 2017.
In terms of urban governance, rapid cycles of change and potentially precipitous
escalation of impacts, and the entry of bigger global players such as Airbnb, require
new perspectives on governance, planning and management structures as well as on
political alliances. At the neighbourhood level, the local life that is often the very
attraction of historic districts is hollowed out as prices increase and amenities are lost.
The recent unprecedented downturn in tourism in wake of the Covid-19 virus has
exposed those still living in central districts to the realisation that they have no
neighbours and no community, at the very time when community mutual support
networks have been most needed.
5
Where private sector investors have gained ground as tourism is prioritised as an
economic sector, this has often been at the cost of investment in communal life (Garcia
and Claver 2003). As with other environmental stressors, these slow variables
eventually push systems over a threshold and generate tipping points, where either
irreversible change is being recorded or the strength of the public outcry threatens the
political status quo (Ernstson et al. 2010). Venice is an example of where multiple
tipping points (ecological, social) have been reached and the lagoon city has been so
hollowed out that a point of no return has been reached with regard to the resumption
of an urban life centred on residents’ priorities. Barcelona, one of Europe’s most popular
urban tourism destinations attractive to visitors for its ‘accessible public space and
sociability’, has experienced a shift in investments and urban improvements
increasingly being focused on tourists’ rather than residents needs (Garcia and Claver
2003, 113). The qualities that made Barcelona a liveable city have come to service a
transient tourist population, while adversely impacting on residents’ wellbeing.
The triggers, or stressors, are increasingly evident, but tipping points harder to
determine as each place and community’s realities will be different. Furthermore, the
processes of urban heritage conservation are highly complex, and often an interplay
between spatial scales and decision-making hierarchies that are not necessarily linked
(Zhang 2013). The global nature of ‘disruptors’ and the multi-scalar and at times
informal nature of many tourism businesses adds further to the complexity and the
interplay between those who benefit from and those who are adversely impacted by
tourism growth.
6
diverse players, and must ensure that local voices are heard (Zhang 2013).
A shift in urban investment and development that places social and environmental
benefits as primary goals, will also support tourism management practices. Sustainable
tourism practices that prioritise locals and take a wellbeing-centred approach to policy
and planning and encourage local participation are best placed to identify and deliver
on shared objectives. Ultimately, a place that works for and is good for locals, will also
be attractive to tourists. Tourism and tourists often have a higher adaptive capacity than
urban places, and they will undoubtedly adapt to changes brought about in the urban
context that better serve sustainability and resilience goals.
Acknowledgements
This paper partly draws on a keynote presentation made to the Organisation of World
Heritage Cities (OWHC) Asia-Pacific Region general assembly held in Suzhou, China
in October 2018, and research carried out as part of a UK Arts and Humanities Research
Council (AHRC) grant in 2016 for the project ‘Community-led Heritage Regeneration
in India’ undertaken in collaboration with the School of Planning and Architecture in
Delhi.
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Shukra, and Martin Yarnit. 2008. Community engagement and community
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Ernstson, Henrik, Sander E. Van der Leeuw, Charles L. Redman, Douglas J. Meffert,
George Davis, Christine Alfsen, and Thomas Elmqvist. 2010. “Urban
transitions: on urban resilience and human-dominated ecosystems.” Ambio 39,
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Evans, Graeme. 2014. “Living in the City: Mixed Use and Quality of Life.” In R.
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McManus, A. Rubbo and K. K. Dhote eds. Inclusive Urbanization, 27-38.
Leichenko, Robin. 2011. “Climate change and urban resilience.” Current opinion in
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environmental sustainability 3, no. 3: 164-168.
Milano, Claudio, Cheer, Joseph M., and Novelli, Marina. 2018. “Overtourism: a
growing global problem.”, The Conversation, posted 18 July 2018. Available
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https://theconversation.com/overtourism-a-growing-global-problem-100029
O’Brien, John. 2012. “Liveable historic city cores and enabling environment: A
successful recipe to attract investment to cities.” In G. Licciardi and R.
Amirtahmasebi eds. The Economics of Uniqueness: Investing in Historic City
Cores and Cultural Heritage Assets for Sustainable Development, The World
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Architectural Regeneration, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 97-125.
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Ramakrishnan, Kavita. 2017. Urban Uncertainty: Governing cities in
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8
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
2.
A GIS-BASED RISK MAPPING FOR THE GÖREME NATIONAL
PARK AND THE ROCK SITES OF CAPPADOCIA
Abstract
All heritage sites have natural and cultural values, which are frequently threatened
by disasters like earthquakes, floods or human-induced disasters like wars. The dangers
like the negative effects of urbanization, mass tourism and extensive infrastructure
development create risks and negatively affect the authenticity and integrity of heritage
sites. Risk maps of heritage sites are useful tools that can help reduce potential risks
and to plan effective disaster management. The aim of this study is to identify, analyse
and evaluate the factors that affect the formation of risks that threaten a specific World
Heritage Site, that is the Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, and
to develop recommendations for reducing and preventing risks. Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) are utilized to prepare and evaluate risk maps. Within the
scope of the study, a GIS database is established to identify, map and monitor risks in
order to prepare a risk management model. Nature and human-induced hazards were
identified and mapped for the case study; and the risk levels were determined by
evaluating the risks with an holistic approach. Finally, the integration of risk maps to
the site management plans; which are created to produce interdisciplinary information
and to ensure public participation by sharing this information and to manage
developments in a systematic and planned manner, were discussed. As a result, it is
proposed that a GIS based model for the analysis and management of the risks can
contribute to the solution of the administrative complexity.
Keywords: Heritage at Risk, Risk Management, Goreme National Park and the
Rock Sites of Cappadocia, GIS, Risk Mapping
9
1. Introduction
The risk occurs depending on the vulnerability of heritage values exposed to certain
hazards in the future (UNISDR, 2009). Natural or human-induced risks negatively
affect the integrity and authenticity of heritage sites (UNISDR, 2009). Today, although
the concept of risk is generally considered as emerging from natural or human causes,
it is also argued that the human factor is the basis of all risks. Risk is calculated by
multiplying two basic components of risk: hazard and vulnerability. The proposed
expression defines risk as:
In this study, by using the studies carried out by UNESCO as the primary source, the
risks to heritage values and the factors affecting cultural heritage conservation are
categorized as nature and human-originated risks. Each risk factor was reclassified
within itself, as developing rapidly and slowly according to the realization speed of the
risks (Table 1). All risks were classified as human or nature-induced, coded accordingly
like NR-2 (natural), NR-3, HR-1 (human-induced), HR-7, HR-8; and were analyzed
and evaluated.
10
Table 1. Classification of risks according to their sources and speed of development
(after Veillon, 2014 and UNESCO, 2012; prepared by the author.)
Göreme National Park and The Rock Sites of Cappadocia which were declared as a
WHC in 1985, were choosen as case studies. Cappadocia is a unique region with a
multicultural past. It is a huge region containing Turkey’s mixed (natural and cultural)
UNESCO World Heritage Site and it hosts numerous urban, archaeological and natural
conservation sites. This diversity in the socio-cultural, historical and physical contexts
has made Cappadocia a meeting zone of cultures from all over the world throughout
history. The people living and working in Cappadocia and visiting this region have
various motivations to engage in the place. On the other hand, the authorities that are
expected to conserve the rich natural and cultural values of Cappadocia have various
limitations leading to the loss of values in the region. In this complex system of values,
11
stakeholders and their –sometimes conflicting- interests, this study argues if a GIS-
based model for risk analysis and management can contribute to a more systematic,
inclusive, and democratic decision-making process for risk management integrated into
site management.
13
rockfall, which are caused by sudden ecological and geological events (Topal &
Doyuran, 1998; Perret, et al., 2004; Gökçe, et al., 2008; Zorlu, et al., 2011; Özşahin,
2012). In addition to these, climatic disasters like flood, avalanche negatively affect
heritage sites (Demirkesen, 2008; Arabacı, et al., 2017) (Figure 2).
14
Moreover, the infrastructure systems such as sewerage, water network, treatment
facilities, which are defined as” Utilities -Service Infrastructure” and the investments
that were made in these had a negative impact on both urban sites and natural and
archaeological sites (Eravşar, 1996; NÇŞB, 2017). Due to the increasing population
ratio in the heritage site, the increase in tourism potential, vandalism, and illegal
activities of the visitors and local people, security gaps were formed and this situation
resulted in negative effects. The conservation sites, which include natural,
archaeological and urban sites, were planned by different management units according
to relevant national legislation. This legal and administrative situation brings along
problems such as confusion of authority and lack of coordination in the decision-
making processes between institutions (Eravşar, 1996; Protection Board Archive, 2018).
(Kuşluvan, 1999). Additionally, mass tourism had been rapidly increasing since the
1980s until the pandemic, and this created a physical pressure on Cappadocia, which
was very rich in heritage values but also highly vulnerable to risks due to the fragility
of some of its delicate natural formations (Eravşar, 1996; Tosun, 1998; Orbaşlı, 2000;
Simon et al., 2004; UNESCO, 2009; Somuncu & Yiğit, 2009; Tucker & Emge, 2010;
Buyruk, 2011).
In addition to ABC Risk model, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), one of the
Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods (Saaty,1980), was used as a statistical model
to analyze the risks in the site. AHP method is widely used in decision theory to
compare different factors and their relative importance. (Oikonomidis et al., 2015,
Pourghasemi et al., 2012). Considering the existence and vulnerability of the hazards
examined in the historical process, the risk levels were first determined with the ABC
risk model. Afterwards, the AHP method was used for the statistical data and the relative
situations of the risks, and the weight degree from 1 to 9 was determined (Table 2).
15
Table 2. The risk factors in the study area: the evaluation of the risk factors according
to the ABC risk model and AHP methodology.
THE RATE OF
TYPES OF
RISK FACTORS A B C RISK
RİSK
WEIGHT
Nature- NR- 2: Sudden Ecological And Geological Events 3 2 2 7
induced NR- 3: Climatic Disasters 1 2 1 4
HR- 1: Risks Emerged By Urban Infrastructure
2 3 2 7
And Development Activities
HR- 2: Risks Emerged By Utilities Or Service
1 1 1 3
Human- Infrastructure
induced HR- 6: Security Based 3 2 1 5
HR- 7: Risks Emerged By Management And
2 3 3 8
Institutional Factors
HR- 8: Risks Emerged By Mass Tourism 2 3 3 8
Nature- induced risks have been analyzed in a holistic manner by considering rock
fall, flood and overflow, and avalanche risks (Figure 4). Zelve and Uçhisar settlements
have very high-risk levels sites, as more than one risk overlaps and high-risk levels.
Göreme settlement and the northeast of Göreme have high-level risk levels that contain
more than one risk. The west of Uçhisar, northwest and southeast of Ürgüp are sites
subject to low-risk levels.
16
Figure 5. Map of the Holistic Risk Analysis of The Human- induced
Table 3. Comparative assessment of risks threatening the study area with the AHP
17
method
The risks were compared with each other with AHP method (Table 3). All risk
analysis data was superimposed and evaluated (Figure 6). A total of 27% of the heritage
sites in Cappadocia are subject to risk due to nature- induced risks. 17% of the sites are
subject to sudden ecological and geological risks (NR-2). 10% of the sites subject to
climatic disasters (NR-3). According to the results of the evaluation, a total of 73% of
the sites are subject to risk due to human-induced risks. 19% of the heritage sites are
subject to risks emerged from management and institutional factors (HR-7) and mass
tourism (HR-8), which are the most widespread risk categories. 17% of the sites subject
to risks that were emerged from urban infrastructure and development activities (HR-
1). The risks emerged from lack of security (HR-6) are affecting 12% of the sites.
Finally 7% of the sites are subject to risks that were emerged from utilities - service
infrastructure (HR-2).
18
be taken to protect the integrity of the area can be determined in order of importance.
At the same time, this approach helps the conservation experts and managers identify
the risks to which the area is exposed. Moreover, risk assessment is important for the
implementation of the management plan and monitoring.
It is very important for multilayered cultural and natural landscapes such as the study
area to have a site management plan. Model proposals can be developed in parallel with
the development of databases in the GIS environment based on the collection and use
of quantitative, qualitative and spatial data. However, interdisciplinary research is
needed for more detailed analysis with statistical information about the existence, level
and effects of risks.
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Bixio, A. R., Burri, E., Castellani, M., Castellani, V., Pensabene, G. 1995. Evidences
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Buyruk, L. 2011. Kapadokya’da Butik Otel Işletmeciliğinin Gelişimi Ve Sorunları. 1.
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19
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21
3.
THE PROTECTION OF BIOCULTURAL WORLD HERITAGE.
BRINGING TOGETHER SCIENCE AND INDIGENOUS
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Abstract
State Parties to the World Heritage Convention are committed to protect the world's
cultural and natural heritage for future generations. Despite these efforts, the world's
tangible and intangible heritage is increasingly threatened by multiple factors
(ICOMOS 2016, 9). As extreme weather events are more frequent and unpredictable,
ecosystems and biodiversity are declining faster than ever in human history (IPBES
2019,10). Climate change is increasingly recognized as a threat multiplier with concrete
impacts on cultural diversity, security and peace (UN, 2019) (Bern, Suisse, n.d.). Even
more, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 1,000,000 deaths (WHO,
October 2020), disrupting health systems and plunging the global economy, particularly
affecting Tourism and Culture sectors and compromising thousands of jobs around the
world.
Overcoming these global challenges demands urgent and ambitious action, systemic
change requires a shift in mindsets and strengthened synergies and collaboration across
sectors and institutions. This paper underlines the positive role that Cultural Heritage
protection, responsible tourism practices and forest conservation initiatives can have in
mitigating social, cultural and economic impacts of the pandemic while contributing to
the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by “ensuring that no one
is left behind” (UN 2015).We argue that the current crisis is not only material:
destructive human behavior and broken societies reflect a deep disconnection of the
human species with its true nature and spirituality and a profound misalignment with
the principles of life. Indigenous traditional knowledge and modern science for
conservation and risk management are critical to stop and revert the underlying causes
of nature and cultural -biocultural- destruction and human conflict.
22
1. Covid-19 impacts on Tourism and World Heritage
Considered as a major economic driver and one of the most labor-intensive sectors,
Travel and Tourism was responsible for 330 million jobs — 1 in 10 jobs around the
globe— making an 8.9 trillion contribution to the world's GDP in 2019 (WTTC, Oxford
Economics 2019). That was before the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to ten years of
sustained growth and nine consecutive years outpacing global GDP (Ibidem).
Accounting for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions (Lenzen et al.
2018), the sector that is also highly exposed to direct and indirect impacts from climate
change (CISL et al. 2014) faces raising pressure from international agreements to
drastically reduce and offset carbon emissions from flight transportation and
accommodation.
In efforts to contain the virus spread, country lockdowns, closed borders, travel
restrictions and cancellations of events resulted in air travel plummeting and
international arrivals declining from 58% to 78% in 2020, putting over 120 million
direct tourism jobs at risk (UNWTO 2020).
The unprecedented health crisis has also affected the cultural sector. Ninety-five
percent of World Heritage sites were totally or partially closed (UNESCO 2020) and
95% of world’s Museums were forced to close (ICOM 2020), losing millions in
revenues, as museums professionals and policy services reinforced security measures
to protect collections from emergencies and illicit trafficking of cultural property
(ICOM-INTERPOL 2020). Artists of Original Nations, 1 especially native women,
which largely operate in the informal sector, were particularly impacted by the closure
of traditional products and handcraft markets and traditional festivals that were
postponed (UN 2020).
In response to the crisis, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, launched
the landmark report « Covid-19 and transforming Tourism » (August 2020) calling for
coordinated policies across borders, to restart the sector and mitigate the pandemics'
social, cultural and economic impacts, providing a roadmap to align the sector with the
Paris Agreement targets and the 2030 Agenda, where a strengthened collaboration and
partnerships at all levels are key to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
( hereafter SDG's). McKinsey & Company (2020) forecasts four to seven years for
tourism demand to return to 2019 levels; the recovery will require “coordination at a
level not seen before”.
As the sector struggles to adopt security measures and restore travelers’ confidence,
domestic tourism2 appears as a main driver for the sector recovery, contributing to
1
Original Nations refers to the so-called Indigenous Peoples.
2
Representing 71.2% of all tourism spending in 2018 (WTTC, 2019) and around 75% of the tourism
23
regional economic benefits and the building of national pride, particularly in developing
countries (WTTC 2019). In this regard, the tourism crisis has also resulted in a return
to valuing local knowledge and traditions as a means to provide solutions to enhance
and sustain livelihoods in times of crisis. For example, to cope with the economic
impact on local communities, governments around the world have promoted traditional
gardening techniques in Dominica and Lebanon and the use of local ingredients in
Colombia, Costa Rica and Jamaica. Other governments have found digital solutions to
share intangible cultural heritage in accordance with social distancing measures. These
comprise Czechia, UK, France, China and British Virgin Islands (UNESCO 2020).
24
while only one-third of all World Natural Heritage Sites have extensive tourism
planning in place (McKinsey & Company 2017, 32).
A study by McKinsey & Company and the World Travel and Tourism Council (2017,
40-49) have identified five tactics to address overcrowded destinations: (1) Smooth
visitors over time (2) Spread visitors across sites (3) Adjust pricing to balance supply
and demand (4) Regulate accommodation supply (5) Limit access and activities.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sustainable Tourism Toolkit, provides with invaluable
guidance on Sustainable Tourism management where the Guide 8, Managing Visitors
Behavior appears particularly relevant to preserve World Heritage Sites while avoiding
the negative effects that tourism may have over culture, nature and society.
25
growing source of conflict of interest in the public and private sectors, worsened by
lack of transparency and illegal activities, often result in indigenous land rights
violations and the destruction of critical ecosystem services, undermining international
efforts on climate change adaptation.
Local and indigenous land tenure directly contribute to many of the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals, including SDG1 No poverty, SDG2 No hunger, SDG8 Decent Jobs,
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG12 Responsible Production and Consumption,
SDG13 Climate Action, SDG14 Life on land, SDG16 Peace, Justice and Strong
Institutions and SDG17 Partnerships for the SDGs. While these lands are increasingly
coveted by governments and international investors, evidence shows that Indigenous
Peoples and local communities owned and managed forests have historically delivered
superior community benefits and greater carbon storage (WRI and RRI 2O14:2).
Moreover, ensuring local land rights is increasingly recognized as a low cost strategy
to reduce forest carbon emissions, reduce financial risk to investments and secure a
sustainable supply of commodities while supporting the most vulnerable populations
(WRI and RRI 2O14:1). Risk management planning that involves local communities is
key to avoid the erosion of natural heritage, to ensure traditional knowledge
transmission while effectively addressing Climate Change related risks.
Although they have an enormous potential for job creation, food security, climate
change mitigation and economic benefits estimated at nine dollars generated for every
dollar spent, forest land restoration efforts have been underestimated by as many as 117
of the 166 countries that have submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions
(NDC) under the Paris Agreement (Holder M. 09/2020).
Launched in 2011 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN and
the German Government, The Bonn Challenge, that has reached land restoration
pledges for more than 2,010 million hectares of degraded land worldwide, appears as a
major global initiative with potential to harness Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) benefits
in the fight against climate change and the current economic downturn. In massive
efforts to scale up the restoration of degraded ecosystems, the United Nations General
Assembly has declared 2021-2030 the UN decade of ecosystem restoration. The
restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded land between now and 2030, could
generate USD 9 trillion in ecosystem services, while withdrawing 13-26 gigatons of
greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere (UNEP, 2019).
The problem with these initiatives is that most of the indigenous territories involved
become dependent on carbon offset dynamics and rules which rely on carbon emissions.
This jeopardizes processes of empowerment of Indigenous Peoples relying on their
ecosystems to enrich their biocultures. The consultation and Involvement of indigenous
communities is crucial to achieve the global target to protect at least 30% of the world's
26
biodiversity by 2030 (CBD, 2020) and is a major opportunity to exchange knowledge
and learn from Indigenous teachings, including moral and spiritual principles towards
the achievement of the wider collective goal to live in harmony with nature.
28
3.1 The Critical Role of Biocultural Sacred Sites in Sustaining Traditional
Ways of Life and Elevating the Capacity of Mother Earth to Restore
Systemic Balance
Sacred Natural Sites have an intrinsic capacity to sustain biodiversity and the quality
to support indigenous and traditional peoples’ ways of life, spirituality and policy
contexts, that enable the conservation of the sites Otegui-Acha (2007). In a broader
concept, Biocultural Sacred Sites can be added to the following concepts: 1) Bio-culture,
(2) time–space, and (3) energetic-activation (Bastida Muñoz, Patrick Encina 2017).
The notion of Bioculture implies that any natural element on earth or in the sky that
is apprehended by the human heart and mind becomes cultural. “Bioculture is
ubiquitous, it is linked to a time–space coordinate”. If the chronotope is activated with
natural energy, mainly in the form of heat or electromagnetic discharge, and/or human
energy, mainly as thoughts, words, songs, and music, then biocultural sites acquire a
sacred quality and become highly spiritual (Ibidem).
In efforts to develop a mechanism that protects and nominate sites of sacred value,
Indigenous Leaders gathered at the territory of Tezhúmake of the Wiwa community
(Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, may 2013), with representatives of
institutions like UNESCO, local governments and the civil society, proposing to create
a Global Network of Spiritual Reserves (Red Mundial de Reservas Espirituales de la
Humanidad), (Oficina de la UNESCO en Quito 2015).
However, the concept of « Spiritual Reserves » does not reflect the Biocultural
diversity of these locations, neither alludes to the complex relation with the
communities and these sites, moreover the word « reserve » holds negative historical
connotations in some regions. In further meetings Indigenous leaders have brought
together different perspectives and symbolic representations of harmony, spirituality
and biodiversity. (Sitios Sagrados: Biodiversidad y Espiritualidad Andina, Conference
2009).
Traditional ways of life and activities around the Sacred Biocultural sites, including
biodiversity protection and reforestation and sustainable tourism, are particularly
relevant in the face of the current crises. The benefits of Sustainable Tourism practices,
community-based approaches and local involvement of traditional peoples in the
sustainable management and reconstruction of the world Heritage Sites (Sullivan,
UNESCO 2003:49-55) are well documented in the outcome paper of the international
conference: Linking Universal and Local Values: Managing a Sustainable Future for
World Heritage, (UNESCO Series n°13 2004.)
While the local and Indigenous Knowledge has been recognized as a prime resource
for empowering communities to combat marginalization and poverty (UNESCO,
2003:11), the Convention on Biological Diversity provides for restrictions of use and
29
access to sacred sites, in consultation with full involvement of Indigenous communities.
(CBD 2004, D 20, F Akwé: Kon)
The IUCN Guidelines for Sacred Natural Sites and the work of Sacred Natural Sites
dot Org underline the spiritual qualities of natural heritage, providing protected area
managers, elements for a better recognition and engagement with cultural and spiritual
and religious aspects of Sacred Natural Sites. Moreover, the Benefits of religious
tourism for socio-economic Development of host communities was highlighted during
the International Conference on Religious Tourism in Bethlehem, Palestine (UNWTO
2015).
Early this year, a group of interdisciplinary experts, activists, indigenous leaders and
spiritual guardians proclaimed the ASSEGAIA declaration at the 2020 World Economic
Forum in Davos calling for a systemic shift in consciousness placing the regeneration
of living Earth at the center of all decisions.
“We call for the ‘ecocentric’ protection of all Sacred Natural Sites based on an Earth-
centred approach that places the sacredness, integrity, and regeneration of these sites
at the heart of all decisions affecting them, regardless of their perceived usefulness,
material value, or importance to humans. Sacred Natural Sites hold intrinsic value
for the continuity of all life on Earth and cannot be monetized. They must therefore
remain outside of the commercial value chain and receive protection.”
Alliance for the Sacred Sites of Earth Gaia, August 2019
4. Conclusion
Intrinsically linked, nature and culture -biocultural heritage- are major drivers of
tourism growth, the strategic sector has been particularly affected by the COVID-19
pandemic with disastrous economic impacts on developing and developed countries.
The travel and Tourism industry has brought together public and private stakeholders
and is currently transforming to respond to new safety traveling conditions; The
unprecedented health crisis is a crucial moment to align the sector with the carbon
neutrality target by 2050 under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and towards
the achievement of the 2030 Sustainability Agenda.
Local tourism appears as a meaningful way for driving local and regional economic
recovery, where World Heritage Sites play a major role in building community
resilience, reinforcing people's cultural identity and sense of belonging. Responsible
Tourism practices and a coordinated management of visitor capacity are key to
preserving the World's Heritage integrity while improving visitors experience. Nature
Based Solutions (NBS) approaches to forest and land conservation involving local
communities not only are key to avoid the erosion of biocultural heritage, to ensure
30
traditional knowledge transmission and to reduce Climate Change related risks, they
also have an enormous potential for job creation, food security and economic benefits
for local populations.
Harnessing Cultural Heritage contribution to inclusive sustainable development,
requires to develop new integrated and holistic approaches, where indigenous teachings
based in ancestral wisdom appear as a major source of guidance and inspiration. Having
a critical role in sustaining life Ancestral Sacred Sites are an essential part of indigenous
cultural identity by keeping alive heritage, traditions, ethnolinguistic diversity,
livelihoods, indigenous ecological knowledge, cosmology and spiritual practices.
While modern science provides us with a better understanding of the natural laws and
the principles that govern the universe, Indigenous Peoples have safeguarded these
principles through millenia and are leading efforts to restore them.
Nature, Culture and spiritual practices are the foundations of human societies.
Testifying of major biocultural interactions having shaped human evolution, the World
Heritage Sites are the paramount legacy for the future generations. Given the current
multidimensional crises, it is urgent to stop the biocultural erosion and destruction and
to cope with the impacts of climate change. Advancing risk management for the shared
future, requires global strategies, and enhanced collaboration across sectors, disciplines,
institutions, organizations, civil society and indigenous peoples toward shared
objectives.
5. Recommendations
• Given the mounting social, political and ethnic tensions, exacerbated by climate
change, (Schleussner et al, 2016) enhancing knowledge and understanding of
cultural diversity, spiritual and moral values should be a priority and fully
integrated as preventive actions.
• Develop and exchange statistical data and indicators concerning: (1) the carrying
capacity of the Monuments and Sites, (2) local meteorological conditions, (3)
Nature Conservation and Cultural Tourism, (4) contributing to tourism strategies
at national, subnational and regional levels.
• Articulate Indigenous Forest and Land management and Cultural Heritage
Conservation Approaches, while encouraging Sustainable Tourism initiatives.
• Explore the adoption of education and training programs integrating modern
science and traditional techniques aiming to restore harmony with nature, cultivate
curiosity, growth mindsets and ultimately expand consciousness.
• We suggest to fully integrate indigenous leaders in the ICOMOS International
Scientific Committee on Places of Religion and Ritual PERICO working group
and promote gender equality on the overall working groups.
31
• Given the strong links between natural and cultural heritage we encourage the
adoption of the concept of Bioculture and address both types of properties jointly;
integrate indigenous representatives for the conception of holistic concepts and a
new conservation narrative.
• « Leaving no one behind » requires a reinforced international mobilization to
ensure the protection of Indigenous Peoples and the transmission of traditional
knowledge. We suggest to explore enforceable mechanisms to protect their sacred
/ spiritual sites and lands, essential part of their cultural identity.
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39
4.
IMPROVING NATIONAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
BUREAUCRATIC FRAMEWORKS AND STRATEGIES TO
ASSIST IN THE EFFECTIVE COORDINATION OF RISK
MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE
Hilary du Cros
Honorary Research Fellow,University of New Brunswick, St John, Canada
Abstract
Climate change is a big picture issue for sovereign states and their public policy
makers concerned with economic, as well as environmental development initiatives and
their impact on heritage places. Drawing on a study of 45 years of national heritage
policy generation in Australia, this paper aims to discuss what types of bureaucratic
frameworks and strategies are needed to aid effective evidence-based policymaking on
climate change and heritage to address the big picture without losing local relatability.
As tourism is a pillar industry for many countries which also relies heavily their cultural
heritage, a new approach is needed to enhance connection with heritage stakeholders
(including those in tourism), gather information and minimize adverse social, economic
and environmental impacts. Reflection on internal bureaucratic practices and
policymaking is considered a timely exercise in this context. The recent study on this
topic is an example of the kind of reflection that may be useful and could raise some
insights on advancing risk management across multiple jurisdictions.
Interviewees contacted for the study noted that national data-gathering and
grounding is needed for better more integrated policy making on the nature of climate
change impacts. There is a concern that information is not being systematically
collected at a higher level to understand broad-brush processes such as, land use
changes/tourism development planning and climate change. For instance, one
interviewee stated that it is possible that up to 80% of coastal shell middens around
Australia could be destroyed by rising sea levels and storm surges in the next 20 years.
It appears that there is a need for a nationally coordinated research strategy is more
easily stated than achieved in practice. However, recent research into the history and
development of bureaucratic administration of heritage policy in Australia has provided
some insights into the best conditions to facilitate such coordination.
40
1. Introduction
This paper acknowledges that sharing culture and heritage for tourism or other uses
at its basis requires a systematic recognition of that shared responsibility. It aims to
promote discussion of how government agencies at all levels can share that
responsibility, source expertise and possibly provide some leadership on these
important issues. National agency structures, policy and strategies could do with more
scrutiny in terms of their capacity to take on such responsibilities. The study mentioned
in the paper is an example of a type of research into cultural heritage management
governance that should be undertaken more often and more widely in order to make
this issue clearer.
Research that provides a greater awareness of what conditions are needed to enable
climate action for heritage. It could also assist heritage professionals in the best way to
direct their own efforts. A national approach to research towards designing measures
for disaster risk management and resilience building for climate change is critical for
large classes of heritage places effected by climate change, such as the coastal shell
middens. Also, consideration is needed about where best to engage with issues like
sharing responsibilities across cross-jurisdictional and territorial boundaries.
Accordingly, I would like to address two key aspects of this research here, which are:
To discuss these aspects, material will be drawn from the recent study of national
heritage policy which I undertook in 2018-2019 (du Cros 2019) and some recent
observations of the operation of Australian federalism in relation to recent threats
namely, extreme bushfires and COVID 19 Pandemic, as far as information on the two
are available.
41
and bureaucratic coordination in regard to care of its heritage.
Australia became a federation of states (and later territories) on January 1, 1901.
Federalism then was a dual house national parliament representing the British governed
Australian colonies (later states). The national cabinet and supporting civil service
developed from there and eventually moved from Melbourne and Sydney to the new
national capital of Canberra in 1927 to break down the rivalry between the most
powerful states (Lee 2020, NCA 2020).
The establishment of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 1992 was
the first major realignment of these powers since Federation. In relation to heritage, it
set out a new heritage regime. Prior to 1992, a national approach to cultural heritage
protection first emerged after election of Whitlam Labor government in 1972. It set in
motion the establishment of the Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) (established
1975), which recognized places (Aboriginal/Indigenous, historic and natural heritage)
being locally and well as national significant as “things we want to keep” as part of
Australia’s National Estate (AHC 1991a; Yencken 2019).
The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (and
particularly the 2003 amendments) and various policy decisions changed this focus as
a function of what was called 'cooperative or new federalism'. For instance, the 1992
agreement, inter alia, reduced the independence (or made it explicit) of the Australian
Heritage Commission by requiring consultation with the States/Territories in certain
matters. The Commission already advised and consulted before or at the time of some
action with other levels of government, but this agreement established it as a more
formal arrangement.
The intentions of the Federal Government to establish clear roles and responsibilities
for all levels of Government using the principle of 'subsidiarity', was greatly detailed
and extended in the 1997 agreement, and ultimately in the new legislation and its
amendments. The principle of subsidiarity holds that powers and responsibilities should
be held at the lowest level of government practicable (COAG 1997a and 1997b).
At the time of writing, it appears possible the nature of this relationship is in flux as
two major emergencies – the extreme summer bushfires (2019-2020) and the COVID
19 epidemic – have required a quicker and more coordinated policy response with
greater leadership at the federal level. This is being managed through the more frequent
meeting of the relevant federal and state ministers in a “national cabinet”. During such
crises, it replaces COAG as the main governing tool for state-federal Commonwealth
policy coordination. This kind of approach requires leaders of all Australian
jurisdictions to negotiate on behalf of their people and to implement the decisions
reached in what can be termed as “executive federalism”.
In a crisis, response time is critical. The national cabinet can meet several times a
42
week, unlike COAG which met several times a year or less. Basically, the national
cabinet is a way to bring together information and intelligence sharing with the capacity
to pool and test ideas before setting coordination and jurisdictional capacity. There is
talk that this type of relationship might continue to deal with serious issues, such as
climate change (Grattan 2020). As such, it will inevitably have an impact on the
generation of cultural heritage policy in that context.
Menzies (2020) observes that the national cabinet deals with negotiation and
compromise between states and recognizes differences and diversity. Connection is not
lost with parliament, which is suspended not prorogued, and is brought back to pass
legislation from decisions made by the national cabinet. Once the crisis has passed, the
full democratic processes and accountability measures can scrutinize the decisions
taken. For Australia, this includes parliamentary committee investigations and royal
commissions.
Some interviewees from the 2018-19 study observed that burying the conservation
machinery' in any department of environment at any level meant it lost visibility and
influence in the government machine. Also, losing the Australian Heritage Commission
at the national level with its role to oversee background studies, research and
investigation, meant that the importance of a comprehensive national approach was
forfeited in return for a more ad hoc approach to policy generation by lower levels of
government. The challenge now for public heritage agencies is to grab attention in times
of crisis, so that its needs are included in the national cabinet decision-making process.
43
communities in setting up the 20-year Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) system in
State Forests that had existing and potential National Estate places in South-eastern
Australia. Many of these forests are also important tourist attractions and the
agreements sought to balance the needs of loggers, tourist operators and others. The
Commission also tried to partner with other land management organisations. However,
the RFAs were the most successful and long-lasting example of that. It was the first
comprehensive national attempt to settle conflict. The Commission hosted workshops
and issued consultation papers, which were foundation of the 1992 National Forest
Policy Statement. Commonwealth and State Governments then further defined how
RFAs would operate. Finally, the Commonwealth and four State Governments
progressively signed the 10 RFAs between 1997 and 2001 (AHC 1994a and 1994b;
DAWS 2017). That the Commission could work effectively horizontally, as well as
vertically, across the government organisational structure allowed for more integrated
heritage planning and practice.
Any new independent national body would have to develop a way to work with such
interest groups outside of crises as well as during them. For instance, sustainable
cultural tourism should involve a partnership that satisfies both tourism and cultural
heritage management stakeholders. Six possible relationships that exist along the
conflict / partnership continuum are possible. Full partnership represents one end while
open conflict represents the other end (du Cros and McKercher 2020). Working on
better information sharing and ways for establishing joint research initiatives are two
strategies to build such relationships in good times in order for the relationship to
44
survive the bad times.
45
rises and other impacts? Would it follow ‘a dots on the map’ approach or some kind of
cultural landscape one to represent the Aboriginal concept of ‘Country’? How would it
protect secret or private cultural information? These are all important questions on
which a national conversation is needed. Depending on the local conditions, many other
ICOMOS member countries will be facing broader issues and similar challenges that
are greater than they have in the past and governance that encourages research,
information sharing and facilitation will be essential.
Acknowledgements
In the preparation of this paper, the author would like to thank the following
individuals for sharing archival information and giving technical comments on the work:
Anne McConnell, Richard Mackay, Richard Morrison, Nicolas Hall, Paul Tacon,
Duncan Marshall, Sharon Sullivan, Mike Pearson, Ken Taylor, Steve Brown, Caleb
Pedder, David Johnston, Jack Pearson, Norma Shelley, Zeita Davis, Trudy Healey, Mal
Ridges, Anne Morgan, Shelley Greer, Angie McGowan, Denis Byrne, Daffydd Owen,
Tim Rowse, Sherri-Anne Evans, Caroline Spry, Ian Travers, Robin Stevens, Kristal
Buckley and Ray Kelly.
At the end of the study, the results were presented to and discussed by participants of
a seminar held at the Whitlam Institute in February 2019 and at a public talk for
Australia ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) in March 2019 -
feedback from which also informed this paper.
Acknowledgement of country
The author acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia
and their continuing connection to land, sea and community; and pays respects to
them and their cultures and to their elders both past and present.
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48
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
5.
TOWARDS A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR PRE-
DISASTER RECOVERY PLANNING IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS
Abstract
49
1. Introduction
Cultural heritage has been gaining increasing attention from the development agenda
of the United Nations (UN). Culture, both tangible and intangible, is considered to be
an important element in the attainment of sustainable development (Gaetan and Allam
2017). In the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 -Sustainable Cities and
Communities, Target 11.4 -member states are called to “strengthen efforts to protect
and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage (UN 2020, 11).” However,
natural hazards pose a threat to the preservation of heritage sites around the world
(Stanton-Geddes and Soz 2017). Earthquakes, tsunamis, fire, and flooding are some
examples of natural hazards that have destroyed important cultural assets (such as
monuments, traditional buildings, archaeological artifacts, etc.) in historic districts in
the recent past (UNESCO 2010). What is more, the urgency and panic that follows a
disaster harms response and recovery efforts and may trigger further damages from
secondary risk hazards; thus, presenting the need to explore an alternative method for
disaster preparation.
Pre-disaster recovery planning (PDRP) is a promising development in this direction
(UNISDR 2012; FEMA 2017), though literature is scarce on its potential for historic
preservation. Although the frameworks available are comprehensive, heritage often
requires stricter regulations to preserve their integrity. Therefore, there is a need to
develop appropriate PDRP for historic districts in order to reap its benefits for heritage
threatened by natural hazards.
Therefore, in light of the significance of cultural heritage to the sustainable
development agenda and its exposure to natural hazards, there is an urgent need for
exploring a methodological framework for carrying out PDRP in historic districts. This
paper aims to propose an actionable framework for implementing PDRP in historic
districts by conducting an analysis and synthesis of relevant literature. The remainder
of the paper explores the concept of PDRP, argues for the relevance of a
transdisciplinary attitude in the application of PDRP in cultural heritage contexts, draws
relevant methodologies from related academic fields, and finally, proposes a framework
for implementing PDRP in historic districts.
50
resolve issues beforehand, with the hope of reducing complications that may occur post-
disaster.
In 2017, the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States released
a guidance note for local governments on implementing PDRP (FEMA 2017). FEMA
situates PDRP within the context of disaster preparedness, with a particular focus on
recovery efforts. In their interpretation, pre-disaster response and recovery planning is
closely linked to post-disaster recovery planning. Under their framework, PDRP
encompasses the activities of stakeholder consultation, goals and objective formulation,
implementation, and monitoring.
Cultural assets (ex. Archaeological artifacts, declared national treasures, historic
buildings, etc.) often require technical skill and care before any intervention can be
done. As a result, there is an implied role and responsibility that cultural agencies have
in PDRP. If PDRP is to be successful for historic districts, participation and
collaboration between cultural agencies and other stakeholders is indispensable. The
transdisciplinary approach, which is widely recognized in the field of sustainability
science, proves useful here.
52
2.3 Disaster Imagination Game (DIG)
DIG is a noteworthy tool for engaging stakeholders in pursuit of PDRP. It takes its
inspiration from the Commanding Post Exercises of the Japan Self Defense Force
(Yanagawa et al. 2016). Essentially, this method enables visualizing a disaster scenario
by inputting information on a map. Traditionally, this is done with parchment paper
superimposed on a map, though technology has been developed to provide more
detailed information and visual aids using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) like
ArcGIS, which allows several layers of information to be superimposed on base maps.
Visualizing a disaster scenario aids stakeholder to decide on specific actions to be
taken before, during, and after a disaster occurs. PDRP is ideally conducted during the
preparation phase of the disaster risk management framework (Coetzee and Van
Niekerk 2012). In order to have productive discussions, DIG simulates the response,
recovery, and mitigation phases of a potential disaster (see Figure. 1). The more
accurate the prediction, the more specific discussions can be. However, considering that
precision in predicting the impact of a disaster is difficult, effort in getting as much
information and presenting it during DIG would be enough to initiate talks.
53
Figure 2. A Methodological Framework for Pre-disaster Recovery Planning in
Historic Districts (Figure by the authors)
PDRP in the context of CH may be divided into three phases: data gathering,
negotiation, and institutionalization. Phase 1, data gathering, requires the assessments
of the site’s values and vulnerabilities. Regardless of the method by which values and
vulnerabilities are determined, its accuracy and completeness must serve the purpose
of visualizing and imagining the disaster scenario for later phases of this process. A
balance between accuracy and speed of the assessments should be pursued in order to
accommodate feasible costs and timelines. There should be a clear picture of what the
disaster scenario may look like the resulting conditions post disaster, which sets the
context of the DIG.
Phase 2, negotiations, consists of the DIG and a platform for open discussion. The
results of the assessments in Phase 1 will be used for setting up the disaster scenario of
the DIG. Ideally, all stakeholders of the historic districts should be present for the DIG
to ensure inclusivity and plurality in opinions for the open discussion. A successful DIG
would reveal biases of the stakeholders, the needs of the community, the priorities of
the stakeholders, and more importantly, the points of conflict and bottlenecks for any
pre-disaster plan that would be adopted. These points must be clarified through a series
of facilitated group discussions. By the end of these talks, a decision to formalize the
policy must be made, in order to initiate Phase 3.
In Phase 3, institutionalization, stakeholders and the decision-making authorities
must collaborate to enact policy. Once the policy is adopted, it must then be
implemented by the appropriate agencies (ex. cultural agencies, disaster councils, local
associations, etc.) along with its implementing rules and regulations. All these three
phases must occur simultaneously with the heritage management process.
Any cultural heritage management system (UNESCO 2013) consists of a cycle of
54
planning, implementation, and monitoring. It is positioned in between the phases to
emphasizes how smooth and interrelated the elements of the processes are, and blurs
where the process begins and ends. For example, Phase 3 occurs in the implementation
and monitoring stages due to the nature of policymaking and the evaluation that takes
place as a policy is enacted. In summary, attempting PDRP in historic districts is a
constant effort to plan, implement, and monitor mutually agreed upon actions, which
are negotiated among key stakeholders.
Finally, the third layer of the framework situates the level of involvement between
the stakeholders (including practitioners) and the academic community (here defined
as experts with necessary technical skills). Due to the indispensable and technical nature
of data needed in Phase 1, the academic community is expected to take on a larger role,
where stakeholders are welcome to participate as resources and co-implementers of
knowledge for localization of data within a collaborative spirit. In Phase 2, equal
involvement is necessary between academics and stakeholders. Phase 3 shows a
transition to the larger role practitioners would have, due to the nature of the
policymaking process.
4. Conclusion
The present research aimed to offer an actionable framework for customizing PDRP
to the needs of cultural heritage. By drawing inspiration from established literature, a
framework for implementing PDRP in historic districts is proposed. Although the
framework is limited by its exploratory and theoretical nature, it could provide a
possible pathway for conducting PDRP in the context of cultural heritage.
While the authors are currently applying the framework to a case study, simultaneous
applications by cultural organizations or academic institutions around the world would
provide clarity in the validity of the approach. Multiplicity in application could create
a network of historic sites with a pre-disaster plan in place, and thus further collaborate
in knowledge exchange. From there, comparative studies could establish this proposed
approach as an alternative to existing efforts for historic preservation.
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57
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
6.
ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC HERITAGE AT RISK, 2020
Dr Bryan Lintott
Secretary-General ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee; Scott Polar
Research Institute, University of Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM; University of
Tromsø
Abstract
The Arctic and Antarctica are the frigid realms around which our world revolves.
This paper reviews polar cultural heritage in the contexts of geography, climate,
environment and governance. These regions are experiencing rapid climate change; an
anthropogenic phenomenon as the Earth was in a cooling phase that humans have
reversed with industrialisation (NOAA 2001). The risks to polar cultural heritage are
examined in terms of the natural environment, and direct and indirect anthropogenic
impacts. Central to this challenge is the need to record and monitor archaeological areas,
historic sites, monuments and associated artefacts, to inform risk preparedness.
Responding to these risks is considered in terms of current projects and potential
endeavours. In addition to a literature review and field observations, this paper is based
on the informative and insightful contributions made by numerous colleagues,
especially members of the ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee (IPHC). 4
Two cases are reviewed: the 19th-century shipwrecks HMS Erebus and HMS Terror in
Nunavut, Canada; and Swedish explorer and scientist.
O. Nordenskjöld’s former base at Snow Hill, Antarctica. In conclusion, polar
cultural heritage is at the forefront of climate change and can inform broader global
heritage at risk policy, planning and practise.
4 Specialised papers on polar heritage at risk are contained in the proceedings of the ICOMOS International Polar
Heritage Committee (IPHC), 2014 conference on ‘The Future of Polar Heritage. Environmental challenges in the
face of climate change: detection and response’. Copies can be requested at IPHC@ICOMOS.org.
58
1. Introduction
The polar regions are fundamentally different. The Arctic is centred on a frozen ocean
surrounded by nation-states with a diverse range of indigenous peoples for whom the
north is home and, comparatively, recent communities – both permanent and transient.
A fundamental feature of the terrestrial Arctic are large areas of permafrost, ground that
remains frozen all year. Arctic governance is enacted through national law, regional
agreements and, in particular, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas
(UNCLOS). The High Arctic is the domain of the Polar Bear. In contrast, Antarctica is
a frozen continent surrounded by a hostile sea with no permeant population or history
of an indigenous presence. Several nations claim areas of Antarctica, but all claims are
on hold under the Antarctic Treaty (1959). Antarctica is governed through consensus
by the treaty parties, as a region of peace, science and environmental stewardship.
Antarctica is at the physical extremity of humanities’ endeavours on Earth, and reveals
our shared humanity when confronted by a region that is aesthetically profound yet
fundamentally dangerous. The penguin, a flightless aquatic bird, is the iconic creature
of the south. Both regions have cultural heritage from exploration, science and
technology, economic activity and intangible culture that is at risk. The Arctic also has
the legacy of wars, ‘hot and cold’. The physical reality is that polar historic structures,
sites and monuments and archaeological sites are in a hostile natural environment, many
are threatened through climate change, increased and in some cases uncontrolled
visitation, and unauthorised or criminal activity.
2. The Arctic
2.1 Natural Environment and Hazards
The Arctic has a diverse range of climates from areas with trees on the Eurasian and
American Arctic landmasses to areas devoid of any tall flora, the ice-clad areas of
Greenland and other northern islands and archipelagos, and the Arctic Ocean and
seabed. The region experiences extreme winters and, comparatively, warm summers
during which flora and microbiota, and fauna are active. Polar bears are curious and
powerful animals that have damaged and destroyed structures. Sea and river ice can be
shoved ashore, scouring sites and crushing structures within its path.
59
majority of the energy - further reducing the growth of winter sea ice. The situation is
exacerbated by warming of the Eurasian and North American landmasses. In recent
decades, permafrost temperatures, in which many structures have their foundations,
have risen between 0.5°C and 2°C; and, in recent years, Siberia has experienced
heatwaves and large-scale fires.
2.4 Responses
The enormity of the sub-Arctic and Arctic and the complexity of environmental
changes, e.g. the treeline is advancing at different rates in different ways (Rees 2020),
60
requires remote sensing and ground-based validation to monitor environmental risks
ranging from coastal erosion to changes in vegetation. Given the scale and range of
risks, the heritage community is confronted by the challenge of aspiring to have sites
retained in-situ with their associated structures and artefacts, while the reality is that
inaction may result, by omission, in their being damaged or destroyed. Additionally,
access to and work in the Arctic is expensive and dangerous. Increasingly, the
indigenous peoples of the north are acknowledged and respected for their essential
knowledge and expertise when evaluating climate change (IPCC 2014, 1583), and
developing responses to the risks posed to cultural heritage. There are also more,
comparatively, recent communities that have been established in the Arctic who have
gained experience and knowledge of their respective regions.
‘The artifacts from the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National
Historic Site will be protected based on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit
knowledge) and the principles of cultural resource management, including the
highest standards of collection and conservation. The jointly-owned artifacts
will be presented from an Inuit perspective and every effort will be made to
display them within the Nunavut Settlement Area’ (Parks Canada 2019. B).
61
Figure 1
HMS Erebus, 2018. Part of the upper deck along the starboard side of the hull
showing where a section of deck planking had been forcibly dislocated from the deck
beams due to presumed storm-induced water movement. Note the relative absence of
vegetation on the newly exposed upper surfaces of the deck beams and beam shelf,
and the movement of the two pulley sheaves into the newly exposed zone.5
Reduced sea ice, in certain areas, may result in changes to currents, and storm-
induced turbulence through the water column that kinetically impacts underwater sites,
damaging shipwrecks and distributing artefacts.
Climate change is also allowing invasive fauna, flora and microbes to migrate north
and become established in the Arctic. Informing and influencing decision-making
processes requires remote sensing, onsite monitoring and regular inspections.
The ‘REMAINS of Greenland: REsearch and Management of Archaeological
sites IN a changing environment and Society’, a cooperative endeavour between The
National Museum of Denmark, The Greenland National Museum and Archives and
Center for Permafrost (CENPERM) at the University of Copenhagen has produced
comprehensive research on the risks to Greenland’s archaeological heritage.6
3. Antarctica
3.1 Natural Environment and Hazards
Antarctica is the windiest and coldest continent on the planet, with over 99% covered
by ice and snow. Structures and artefacts built on the ice usually become covered in
snow, and then embedded in the ice that moves inexorably towards the ocean, where
within calving icebergs the remains will be deposited on the seabed as the iceberg melts.
5 Image and text courtesy of Parks Canada Parcs Canada. Photograph 89M09531, Ryan Harris. Text, Johnathon Moore.
6
Website: https://www.remains.eu/index.html. Report: https://online.flowpaper.com/776c0763/Smartrapport/#page=1
62
Sites and structures on solid ground are exposed to numerous risks. The Terra Nova
Hut7, located on Ross Island from an expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott
RN, is exposed to freeze-thaw cycles, high winds that scour the wooden hut with
volcanic scoria and ice crystals, sea spray that deposits salt on the structure, is close to
an ice tongue that could collapse and cause a tsunami, and located at the base of an
active volcano. Antarctic wildlife can also cause damage and destruction, ranging from
Skua gulls tearing open containers to seals occupying sites and structures, and the
accumulation of layers of acidic and pungent penguin guano. A myth of timelessness is
associated with Antarctic heritage with clichés such as ‘frozen in time’, ‘time has stood
still’ and ‘just as they left everything’. Whilst there are valid reasons for Antarctic
heritage sites evoking powerful emotions, the well-known sites, such as the Terra Nova
Hut, are carefully curated structures and artefacts which have cost millions of dollars
to conserve and interpret. Artefacts may remain frozen in ice, permafrost or be
preserved underwater, but when they are exposed to the atmosphere, they are at risk of
rapid deterioration or destruction.
3.5 Responses
Antarctica is remote, expensive to access, and emergency assistance may be delayed
by severe weather. Responding to these challenges requires resources and endurance.
In addition to government-supported access, the Antarctic tourism industry can support
heritage endeavours with transportation for conservation teams, and by encouraging
passengers to share images that have been taken of cultural heritage sites over the years.
63
These can be used to evaluate changes in the structure/s, artefacts and local environs.
Figure 3. Snow Hill Island during summer, showing the collapse of the moraine from
64
the permafrost warming, and erosion from flowing water. 8
Utilising historical images and data, and a data set compiled in the coming years,
informed decisions can then made on potential stabilisation techniques or other courses
of action. Central to this project will be understanding, ‘the interaction between the
climate, the permafrost, the soil and the hut’ (Avango and Fontana 2020).
Since the 1950s, New Zealand has undertaken the preservation of Captain R.F.
Scott’s RN and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition huts on Ross Island. This multi-
decadal endeavour has resulted in a wealth of experience and expertise, which has
informed other Antarctic heritage projects (New Zealand 2015).
4. Conclusions
The peoples of the north embody exceptional levels of human resilience, and over
centuries or millennia, have lived sustainably in the Arctic. The heritage conservation
decisions that these communities make should be respected and resourced accordingly.
There are also other communities in the north to be respected and engaged within their
respective heritage endeavours.
The Arctic’s scientific, industrial and military heritage provides historical
information, and can provide baseline scientific data on regional and global
environmental impacts; Antarctic heritage relates to two distinct endeavours: the
heritage associated with the historical and ecologically devastating commercial
exploitation of seals and whales, and the heritage of exploration, peace, science and
environmental stewardship. The remains of these endeavours are at risk from the
environment, ‘clean-ups’, lack of resources for conservation, and damage and theft;
Arctic and Antarctic cultural heritage is at risk from anthropogenic warming that has
increased the melting of ice in the polar regions and other areas of the cryosphere. The
resulting increase in sea level and water content in the atmosphere is impacting heritage
on a global scale; The IPHC and its members, and other heritage colleagues, are
engaged with polar heritage at risk. Their ongoing analysis and fieldwork are central to
risk preparation, classification, identification and response.
Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the informative and insightful contributions by, and
discussions with, colleagues in ICOMOS, the International Polar Heritage Committee,
polar heritage organisations, national polar programmes and the University of
Cambridge’s community of heritage scholars and students. Special thanks are due to
Dr Susan Barr, Dr Michael Pearson, and to the Franklin Interim Advisory Group,
8
Figures 2 and 3 courtesy of Dr Pablo Fontana and Professor Dag Avango.
65
Nunavut and Parks Canada Parcs Canada.
Reference List
Avango, D. 2020. Per. comm.
Barr, S. (Project Leader) et al. 2012. “Assessment of Cultural Heritage Monuments
and Sites in the Arctic: Project # P114. “Arctic Council Report. Accessed 21 July
2020.
http://www.arctic-council.org/sdwg/wp-
content/uploads/2014/08/AC_SDWG_0201-Cultural-heritage-Monument-Sites-
project-final-report.pdf
Fontana, P. 2020. Argentine Antarctic Institute (IAA), and researcher at the National
Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET). Per comm.
France. 2011. Follow-up on the unauthorised presence of French yachts within the
Treaty area and damage caused to the hut known as Wordie House. ATCM XXIV:
WP 11.
Headland, R. K. 2009. A Chronology of Antarctic Exploration: A Synopsis of Events
and Activities from the Earliest Times until the International Polar Years, 2007-09.
London: Bernard Quaritch.
IPCC. 2014. Climate Change 2014 Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Part A:
Global and Sectoral Aspects. Working Group II Contribution to the Fifth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Accessed
20 July 2020.
https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WGIIAR5-
Chap28_FINAL.pdf28.1
ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee (IPHC) and Polar Archaeology
Network (PAN) conference proceedings, 2014. The Future of Polar Heritage.
Environmental challenges in the face of climate change: detection and response.
National Museum of Denmark and Greenland National Museum.
Hollesen, J. et al. 2018. “Climate change and the deteriorating archaeological and
environmental archives of the Arctic.” Antiquity. Vol.92, Is. 363. Accessed 20 July
2020.
https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2018.8.
Hollesen, J. 2020. Senior Researcher, National Museum of Denmark. Per. comm.
Mahoney, A. Hajo Eicken, Lewis Shapiro and Tom C. Grenfell. 2004. “Ice motion and
driving forces during a spring ice shove on the Alaskan Chukchi coast.” Journal of
Glaciology. Vol. 50, Is. 169. pp. 195-207.
https://doi.org/10.3189/172756504781830141.
Mason, O. 2014. “Missing in Action: Coastal Erosion and the Prehistory of Northern
66
Alaska. IPHC and PAN conference proceedings.” The Future of Polar Heritage.
Environmental Challenges in the face of Climate Change: Detection and
Response. pp. 45-47.
Moore, J. 2020. Senior Underwater Archaeologist / Head of Research Underwater
Archaeology Team. Parks Canada. Per comm.
NASA. 2020. “Antarctica melts under its hottest days on record.” Accessed 20 July
2020.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146322/antarctica-melts-under-its-
hottest-days-on-record.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Undated. Climate Model
Simulations of the Last 1,000 Years. Accessed 11 July 2020.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/global-warming/last-1000-years.
New Zealand. 2015. Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project: A model for conserving
historic values in Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. ATCM XXXVIII: WP23,
CEP 9b.
Parks Canada, A. 2019. ‘Inuit guardians’ program.’ Accessed 21 July 2020.
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/nu/epaveswrecks/culture/inuit/gardiens-
guardians.
Parks Canada, B. 2019. ‘Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic
Site.’ Accessed 21 July 2020.
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/nu/epaveswrecks/info/plan.
Parks Canada, C. 2019. ‘Government of Canada and Inuit Heritage Trust sign
Franklin Artifact Memorandum of Agreement.’ Accessed 21 July 2020.
https://www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2019/04/government-of-canada-
and-inuit-heritage-trust-sign-franklin-artifact-memorandum-of-
understanding.html.
Pitulko, V. 2014. ‘Potential Impacts on the polar heritage record as viewed from
Frozen Sites of East Siberian Arctic.’ IPHC and PAN conference proceedings. The
Future of Polar Heritage. Environmental challenges in the face of climate change:
detection and response. pp. 45-47.
Rees, W.G. Annika Hofgaard, et al. 2020. Is subarctic forest advance able to keep
pace with climate change? Global Change Biology. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15113.
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Global and Planetary Change: 153, 16–34.
Skoblenick, A. Manager, Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic
Site. Per. Comm.
67
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
7.
FACING CLIMATE CHANGE: THE IMPORTANCE OF
PROTECTING EARTHEN HERITAGE TRADITIONAL
KNOWLEDGE
Abstract
68
1. Introduction
The impact of climate change on cultural heritage has been widely reviewed in recent
years including several research methods and diverse disciplines for risk assessment,
disaster risk mitigation, and resilience (Shirvani-Dastgerdi et al. 2020; Sesana et al.
2020, 2019, 2018; Ravankhah et al 2019; Neto & Patrikakis 2019; Garcia 2020; Daly
2014; Howard 2013, McIntyre-Tamwoy 2008). However, climate change risk
assessment of earthen heritage and sustainable adaptation strategies are still needed to
address (Fatoric & Seekamp 2017).
On the other hand, climate change adaptation is considered as a controversial issue
in the field of cultural heritage (Philips 2015), especially for earthen heritage and its
inherent vulnerability. A very limited number of research studies have examined the
obstacles to adapt earthen sites to climate change (Sasana et al. 2018; Cassar 2016).
Lack of capacity to understand climate change data, lack of technical skills to develop
and implement climate adaptation plans, the concern of possible loss of integrity due to
adaptation measures, and high-cost of implementing strategies are the main obstacles
of proper heritage conservation against climate change (Fatoric & Seekamp 2017).
In recent years there has been a growing awareness that scientific knowledge alone
is inadequate for solving the climate crisis (Finucane 2009). In particular, the
knowledge of local and indigenous peoples is increasingly recognized as an important
source of climate knowledge and adaptation strategies (Garcia 2020, Brooks et al. 2020,
Hosen 2020, Sharifi et al. 2020, UNESCO 2008, Jigyasu 2002). Furthermore, the
traditional knowledge approach could be introduced as one of the low-cost strategies in
the long-term sustainable mitigation and adaptation of cultural heritage against climate
change. However, the less addressed issue is the problem of forgetting traditional
knowledge and technical skills due to the discontinuance of knowledge transmission
across generations, lack of internal creativity and experimentation, and the absence of
professional masters and skilled workers. The traditional knowledge of local people as
a sustainable tool for adaptation and mitigation, is often underused by science, despite
its significance in facing climate change. The potential of traditional knowledge in
respond to climate change are highlighted by global policy debates and researches
(Hosen et al. 2020; Javier X et al. 2015; Nakashima et al. 2012; Alexander et al. 2011).
Indigenous knowledge was acknowledged in the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as ‘an invaluable basis for
developing adaptation and natural resource management strategies in response to
environmental and other forms of change’ (IPCC, 2007). Jigyasu (2002) investigates
the past and present status of local knowledge, skills, and capacity of rural communities
in India and Nepal for reducing their vulnerability to earthquakes. In this research,
losing local knowledge and capacities is pointed out as one of the main challenges for
69
reducing disaster vulnerability. Bhatt (1999) mentioned that the South Asian region has
a wide range of knowledge, skills, and initiatives, many of them innovative and vibrant,
that aim and achieve a reduction of vulnerability and building capacity at the grassroots
level. Richards (1994) emphasizes experimentation as an important aspect of local
knowledge, and thus makes a claim that local knowledge is scientific.
70
This knowledge reflects the interaction between communities and their environment
through their history, providing a sense of identity and continuity and promoting
respects for cultural diversity (UNESCO 1972), which is not only limited to its physical
and material form, rather related to people, place and time, and develops as a result of
a dynamic process (Thakur, 1998). Local information systems are dynamic and are
continually influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact
with external systems. This continuous process of experimentation, innovation, and
adaptation enable local knowledge to blend with science and technology as well
(Flavier 1995, Jigyasu 2012).
The most vital part of earthen construction is directly related to the knowledge of
traditional architects or professional masters in dealing with earth and their perceived
of climate risks. Their experience in recognizing ready-to-use mud, adobe preparation
and application methods is entirely based on their tacit knowledge and practical
experiences, as well as, their risk-taking, creativity and decision-making in choosing
methods and materials that has ensured dynamism in earthen constructions (Rahimnia
et al. 2013). Their experience over the years, along with climate change, has provided
the base for creativity, the use of indigenous capacities, and best practices; which can
be considered as a practical factor in today’s climate change adaptation.
71
residence of low-income families and symbolized as poverty.
In summary, the main issues and effective factors in the context of forgetting earthen
traditional knowledge are:
• Modernization of construction methods and building materials
• Loss of faith in earthen construction due to the massive destruction caused by
rain or flood
• Difficulties to afford the annual maintenance of houses using traditional
methods
• Incorrect preparation and execution of earthen materials in the lack of sufficient
technical skills which led to incomplete maintenance, increased costs and also
increased erosion against climate threats
• External interventions and changing the identity of the earthen structure
• Abandoning earthen building and turning earthen neighborhoods into unlivable
places, symbolized as poverty
• Abandon of many traditional maintenance practices due to lack of resources and
discontinuity in the knowledge of traditional skills
• Lack of traditional architects, masters and skill workers
• Increasing social and economic inequity
• Weakening of local governance
• Imitation of western models of dwelling
5. Discussion
The traditional architects, along with inheriting the knowledge and experience of the
previous generations, had a holistic look at the construction and maintenance methods
of earthen buildings with less disharmony intervention. The knowledge of the past
generation has not been merely imitated and has always been associated with
innovation based on climatic, social, and economic conditions. The traditional architect
by using locally available resources, in addition to providing the feasibility of low-cost
and long-term maintenance, respects their environment by using reversible material to
the natural cycle. On the other hand, traditional techniques were based on climate-
friendly patterns, which in addition to preserving natural resources, protected the
structures from adverse climatic conditions. The transfer of these traditional knowledge
has always taken place through the traditional master-pupil system.
In the traditional master-pupil system, all the levels of selection, talent identification,
teaching method, and educational planning were adjusted by the masters and according
to the pupil’s ability. The educational system was run entirely by the private sector and
72
according to the needs of society. The promotion of pupils to the master stage was based
on constant care and inspection. The biggest weakness of this system was the lack of
documenting and recording this information and verbal transfer of knowledge to each
other.
As mentioned earlier, the main factor in forgetting earthen heritage traditional
knowledge is the abandonment of earthen buildings due to modernization of
construction material, massive destruction, and the high cost of earthen houses
maintenance, and also scarce of masters. On the other hand, the efforts made to revive
earthen heritage traditional knowledge in recent years have not been as resultful as
expected. Because most attempts to revive traditional knowledge are more focused on
the academic sector of society, both theoretically and practically. While earthen heritage
traditional knowledge is implied by masters during the work and new experiences were
added to it due to facing obstacles and problems. Furthermore, how implicit knowledge
learned by specialists (theoretical and practical) can be transferred to masters, while the
implementation process will be done just by masters, both for maintenance and for the
new construction.
In this regard, the main facing challenges are the disconnection between indigenous
architects or masters and new needs based on the climate conditions ahead, and also
linkage system between scientific communities, practitioners and traditional
masters/pupils.
For this reason, in addition to education at the academic level, builders, masters and
even the local community must receive their own education. For this purpose, the
existing techniques of earthen architecture in dealing with climatic conditions must first
be identified. Moreover, it should be evaluated how these teachings can be used in
adaptation/mitigation strategies. At the final stage, it should be seen which of these
methods need innovation according to the forthcoming climate change, and how it
could be possible to bridge the past knowledge and future needs. Regarding the above
context, the following steps need to be addressed:
73
• Evaluate and monitor the implemented methods and use modern knowledge to
eliminate defects
6. Conclution
There are still many shortcomings in tackling climate change and fostering the
resilience of cultural heritage. Limited understanding of climate change data, lack of
climate change adaptation programs, disconnection of local communities and heritage,
ineffectiveness of studies and high costs of implementation strategies as the main
obstacles to facing climate change need more detailed assessment. However, many
steps have been taken to raise awareness, develop studies, adaptation initiatives,
recovery of traditional knowledge and practices, and in overall, joint efforts at different
levels to document and protect heritage. Utilizing indigenous capacities including
knowledge, experience and participation can play an important role in the sustainability
of adaptation approaches. In this regard, more emphasis should be placed on knowledge
transfer, as practitioners should be able to turn research into practice by supporting
protocols and guidelines. There is a particular need to develop novel modes for
transferring knowledge to practitioners. Planning adaptation to climate change requires
a holistic assessment of exposure and adaptive capacity based on both traditional and
scientific knowledge. Integrating traditional and scientific knowledge, especially in the
context of a rapidly changing climate, is imperative for a better understanding of and
improving adaptation strategies for impacts related to climate change.
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77
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
8.
HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ROLE TO MITIGATE CLIMATE
CHANGE
Abstract
Purpose of this article is to underline the relevance that human settlements have on
climate change and the negative impacts produced by the actual uncontrolled
urbanization toward metropolises and megacities. The analysis of the actual situation
of many of these huge urban agglomerations and the most evident impacts highlight the
need of balance between human settlements and environment, the importance of a
human presidium spread on territories, and the opportunity offered by the ongoing great
connectivity infrastructure projects to mitigate urban concentration and revamp minor
settlements. There fore the proposed actions are relevant as they can represent a tool to
reduce the rising trend of un ruled use of land and resources by huge megalopolis &
metropolis worldwide and at the same time to enhance human settlements in rural and
marginal territories. This will also help the protection and valorisation of cultural
heritage both tangible (patrimony) and intangible (traditions), the preservation of
traditional landscapes and of the natural soil, water, forest resources. Experience of
metropolis, expected to grow in number and size in short future, is mainly negative and
the long-term impacts unpredictable, but already atmospheric pollution and water
shortage are rising, with no defined intervention strategies. Wild urbanization, without
any respect of the existing peculiarities and possible sustainability, is determining
permanent damages for the environment, being one of the main climate change
responsible.
78
1. Urban Settlements & Climate Change
For many centuries human settlements have coexisted in relative balance with the
territories surrounding every single city and village. Following the various industrial
revolutions and the need to have workforce settled not far from the production plants,
started a progressive and increasing urbanization process which, however, until the
middle of the last century was acceptable with limited impact on the environment.
The exponential growth of urban areas and productive settlements of the last decades,
accelerated with the birth of huge metropolises and megacities in all continents, has
definitively broken the previous fragile balance; and the impacts that urban areas have
on climate change go far beyond the 2% of the planet surface they occupy. Air, soil,
aquifers pollution and environmental damages produced by big cities are evident
everywhere and still rising, despite the repeated recommendations expressed by many
international organizations and reaffirmed in the objectives of sustainable development
of the UN HABITAT Agenda2030. (1)
In fact, since last century urbanization has been growing without any real opposition
and now is accepted that urbanization process as unstoppable, weak or late oppositions
till now failed, and urgent mitigation measures must be evaluated and implemented to
reduce negative effects on pollution, environment, land-use and progressive natural
resources shortages, by reinforcing rural habitat and retain the smaller settlements
inhabitants.
Experience of metropolis, expected to grow in number and size in short future, is
mainly negative and the long-term impacts unpredictable, but already atmospheric
pollution and water shortage are rising, with no defined intervention strategies. Wild
use of territory, without any respect of the existing peculiarities and sustainability, is
determining permanent damages for the environment, as one of the main climate
changes responsible.
Is therefore urgent a new vision to reduce increasing urbanization processes and
favour the presence of human settlements anyway and wherever possible, saving local
characteristics, cultural traditions, tangible and intangible patrimony, and any other
necessary elements to assure sustainable territorial development and environment
preservation.
Cultural heritage, especially natural and landscape sites, but not only, being also
tangible patrimony directly affected by climate change, need that human presence
remains spread over the territories, as permanent presidium on the environment through
agriculture, ground retention, forest care, water regulation, and is necessary to restore
all those activities that for centuries kept the balance between manhood and nature.
Current technologies can provide effective tools in achieving a sustainable territorial
reuse and consequently reduce climate change through a spread network of compatible
79
infrastructures, communication systems, renewable energies, and also play an
increasing role in enhancing minor settlements, protecting natural environment, and
preserving patrimony.
Minor cities, towns and rural settlements also cover a necessary function of human
presidium on the natural environment, particularly evident in rural / marginal territories.
Any territory needs different levels of protection and enhancement, articulating the
degree of transformation through those quality parameters that the original inhabitants
apply. From the implementation of a technology supported land-use of
neglected/marginal territories, environment will have positive returns also on local
economic development by facilitating the permanence of inhabitants in their traditional
settlement and the correct use of rural areas. Such a constant control and maintenance
of the environmental resources reduces the risks of natural disasters such as floods,
forest fires, desertification and so on.
Attention on these issues has globally risen since the Rio 1992 Conference,
increasing till the 2016 UN-Habitat III Conference, where AGENDA 2030 was
approved, with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved for that date (1).
But also, in this document are provided partial and doubtful recommendations about
urbanization, just general guidelines in Goal 11, but without operative details, nor a
specific approach is found that can revamp the priorities inherent the ecological quality,
sustainability and resilience of cities. Similar poor attention is given up to date by most
other international institutions, including the E.U., lacking a serious debate on the
important urban development topics.
2. Envisaged Measures
Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and objectives are relevant those
related to infrastructure, cities and human settlements related, as in "Goal 9- Build
resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation "
that states that:" Sustainable transport achieves better integration of the economy while
respecting the environment. improving social equity, health, resilience of cities, urban-
rural linkages and productivity of rural areas" (2) and in "Goal 11 -Make cities inclusive,
safe, resilient and sustainable" - where indicates as objective 11.A):" Positive economic
support, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by
strengthening national and regional development planning" (3). But there is not
emerging an approach capable of re-launching the priorities inherent to the ecological
quality, sustainability and resilience of cities, in light of the most recent developments
in the green economy, the economy of sustainable development, the circular and bio-
economies.
80
Close interrelation between mankind and the environment is, after these months of
lockdown, clearly visible from the satellite photos, related to atmospheric pollution,
which has fallen enormously everywhere due to the decrease in industries and traffic,
previously an almost permanent phenomena in many of Asian megacities. Huge urban
concentrations highly impact on climate, as all cities are heath islands and, also if
globally their surface covers only the 2% of the planet, they are responsible for the
about ten times more percentage on climate change. For example, due to wild
urbanization and the immense building development of the last decades, the Indonesian
capital Manila is slowly sinking and flooding; so, the administrative function will be
moved to reduce the actual immigration flows. The informal settlements that surround
globally many metropolises offer inhuman life conditions under every aspect:
overcrowding, lack of water and sanitary networks, waste, air pollution. Significant
examples are in India, that hosts 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities, affecting over
140 million people, based on a 2017 study, where pollution in the slums has increased
reaching intolerable levels and determining serious lung diseases (4).
81
medium-term. This pandemic is also highlighting the values of smaller agglomerations,
on one side for the easier containment and monitoring of the contagion and on the other
the greater solidarity, cooperation and assistance among the inhabitants, who have a
stronger social cohesion. For the previous considerations, the revival of the role of
smaller cities and towns is not only possible but fundamental, as one of the tools to
mitigate urbanization processes and keep inhabitants spread on vast territories, also as
the human presidium of the natural environment, that climate change makes it
increasingly necessary.
4. Mitigation Actions
The actual events should trigger a profound reflection on the model of urbanization
itself and the need for an overall revision of the entire process, based on obsolete
postulates and paradigms, that were defined almost a century ago in a very different
context. The model of maximum proximity between home and work, a requirement for
a considerable percentage of inhabitants, is now overcome by the new modes of home-
working, e-learning, telemedicine, online-shopping and anything else made available
by new technologies. The needs of mobility have changed thanks to logistics, home
deliveries and an efficient transport system that, with the high-speed train networks,
have shortened the journey times between rural areas and urban centers where most of
the superior services remain concentrated.
Modern technologies can provide effective tools for a renewed settlement model
through the revival of human scale settlements, revitalizing and interconnecting
disseminated towns and rural settlements, who offer adequate daily life-size and social
cohesion among inhabitants, reducing the rising urbanization pressure towards massive
megacities.
A network of smaller cities can’t be replied elsewhere, not in large and always
scarcely populated areas, but is applicable in a short time successfully in those
territories where previously settled inhabitants have been emigrating. Is therefore
necessary assume a completely different evaluation of minor cities and rural settlements
role in defining the future territorial development as mankind landmarks on the territory,
capable to mitigate the actual rise of new metropolis and megalopolis especially in
emerging countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. This new approach also modifies
how to deal with the urban and territorial planning because it highlights the inadequacy
of the existing rules that mainly identify some areas to be constrained and others
transformed, through the provision of mainly quantitative tools as the zoning, without
the necessary holistic approach integrated with other fundamental societal parameters,
as those taken in account by the principles of SQA social quality approach.(5)
82
For these and other reasons is a priority need to focus on the enhancement of the
characteristic elements and of the local urban/territorial assets (cultural, environmental,
historical, etc..), to promote a strategy of long-term growth that will include agriculture,
craftsmanship, advanced technology and every activity linked to local culture, with
actions shared with all actors. Such a holistic approach as integrated territorial planning
is not only necessary but adds value also to territories surrounding urban settlements,
entirely considered as complementary asset to be protected and enhanced, overcoming
the old traditional division and reducing inequalities between and urban and rural areas.
5. Conclusive Remarks
As previously stated, Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the inadequacy of the
current urban settlement model, accepted as the inevitable urbanization trend of
mankind in the coming decades. Hence the need to identify alternative hypotheses, now
even more possible thanks to new technologies. This difficult situation in which the
whole planet is affected, when ended will certainly have significant consequences in
many sectors not only on the economy, whose recovery will certainly not be fast.
Forecasts from diverse sources all coincide that the impact of the epidemic will be
higher that one of the Great Depression of 1929 and the entire process will take some
years. Hopefully can be expected also positive impacts on many aspects of current
globalized consumerist model, probably both for the pandemic truly global scale and
for the massive anticipated use of new communication and technologies, with
repercussions on the daily lifestyle will be relevant and permanent. The Covid/19 crisis
clearly put in evidence the possible reduction of daily commuting, the availability of
internet learning and home working, the efficiency of e-shopping and many other issues
that can determine radical changes in transport, mobility and logistics, with a visible
reduction, just in few weeks, of atmospheric and other pollutions in the big urban
concentrations. Then the reduction, for a time still not foreseeable, of the national GDP
of most countries worldwide, accompanied by a sensible reduction of incomes for large
categories of population, will determine the consequent cut in many consumptions so
far considered essential, which proved be superfluous. This "new normality" and the
accelerated epochal change based on the widespread use of technologies in all sectors,
can favor a desirable modification of the current global financial and economic rules,
that are still based on 70 years old rules, established in a profoundly different context
by the western countries. Accepting then that urbanization process is now unavoidable,
as weak or late previous opposition failed, still measures to mitigate the ongoing trend
must be evaluated and implemented as soon as possible to reduce negative effects on
pollution, environment, land-use and natural resources shortages, with actions oriented
to revamp the rural territories and retain or resettle inhabitants...
83
The negative impacts of large urban concentrations on climate change are confirmed
dramatic and put in evidence by the pandemic lockdown that reduced drastically all the
anthropic causes. Increasing urbanization affects the entire social and economic context
for many inhabitants with the increase in the size of the cities where integration, social
cohesion and the quality of daily and overall life are worsening. To this must be added
all the sanitary and health disadvantages that the pandemic has brought to light, with
greatest contagion in overcrowded metropolitan areas, due to the inevitable
concentrations in the transport networks, shopping centers, working and service spaces
all over.
So, this exceptional situation represents an opportunity for a profound reflection, that
can no longer be postponed, on current wild urbanization processes and settlement
models that can be reviewed by the widespread use of renewable energies with the
objective of reducing anthropogenic impacts both on environment and on climate
change. The revaluation of traditional typologies, with spaces and orientations strictly
related to the surrounding context, the use of natural and recyclable materials and
environmentally friendly construction technologies are certainly an additional element
to recover the lost balance in reasonable time.
This process will also positively reflect on the entire patrimony and heritage, both
tangible and intangible, by re-evaluating and protecting monuments, urban spaces,
natural landscapes, threatened by unbridled development, as well as recovering the
intangible values and traditions still maintained by the inhabitants of the smaller towns.
The achievement of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda and in particular, as regards the urban
areas of the objective n ° 14, is possible with a vast initiative shared globally and
ICOMOS with all its scientific committees, which embrace multiple sectors involved,
can consciously assume a leading role in raising awareness, information and
coordination, and promoting a global campaign together with UN-HABITAT and other
international agencies.
Biography
Architect specialized in Territorial and Town Planning, in the last fifteen years
focused on Sustainable Urban and Integrated Development strategies and policies, with
a holistic approach not only technical, but also with economic and financial evaluation,
plus social and environmental issues. Acquired international experience for analyzing
and assessing the multicultural contexts and issues. In the last years increased attention
to historic patrimony, cultural heritage, sustainable tourism issues and identification of
related new operational operational tools.
84
Reference List
UN HABITAT. 2015. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
http://habitat3.org/the-new-urban-agenda
AGENDA 2030 -17 SDG.Sustainable Development Goals.
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
RAHAMAN, M. 2017. Nature of Slum Growth In Indian Cities Urban India Journal•
Vol 37 (Ii) • 2017
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334051882
IASQ. 2012. Development toward Sustainability. The Need for a Comprehensive
Conceptual and Methodological Framework for New Politics and Policies: a
Social Quality Perspective. IASQ Working Paper Series no.11
https://www.socialquality.org/wp-content/uploads/import/2014/10/WorkingPaper-
11-2012.pdf
85
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
9.
HOMO GRAVITAS PRAISES WORLD HERITAGE
Ramiro Sofronie
Prof Emeritus, PhD, DHC, UNESCO Chair #177, Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
The paper deals with the stability prospects of human society in the existing
conditions of population growth. The twentieth century concluded with great scientific
and technological performances. This is why the coming of the second millennium was
enthusiastically greeted around the World. The answer received in return from the
twenty-first century was not as optimistic as expected. Even in 2001, Hawking
mentioned that a highly developed society may become unstable and destroys itself. In
the same year, on the very 9/11, when in New York the twin towers of WTC failed, the
UNESCO House in Paris hosted the International Millennium Congress, where the
works of sculptor Brancusi disclosed the gravitational structure of human nature. Then,
in 2004, ONU published the trifurcate graph of population growth. One year later
Hawking announced that the nature of gravitational force remains undisclosed.
Consequently, the unification of the four fundamental forces of the universe failed.
Twelve years later, in 2017, Hawking claimed for the assistance of the World
Government against the threatening of Artificial Intelligence that he has identified then.
That was the year when homo gravitas was created. Three years later the world
population reached 7.8 billion, while large inhabited territories are exposed to severe
human impact on the environment. The gravitational nature of homo gravitas was
physically proved. World Heritage conserved by UNESCO is praised by homo gravitas
for supporting its gravitational emancipation. That quality confers homo gravitas the
aptitude of mirroring discovered by Plato and illustrated by the Greek Legend of
Narcissus. Sculptor Constantin Brancusi by its Endless Column disclosed that by
repeated congruencies or mirroring the state of innocence is acquired. A society based
on homo gravitas can reduce the growth of the population, restore the environment, and
ensure its stability.
86
1. Introduction
After 1750, the year consecrated to the Industrial Revolution, the whole human
society has radically changed by progress. In a short time, nothing remained like before.
After two centuries, at the end of the second WW, the question of stability aroused.
Since equilibrium is the fundamental law of the universe, to which the Earth belongs,
Bertrand Russell was consulted. His lecture, delivered at the Royal Society of Medicine,
London, on November 29, 1949, was entitled “Can a Scientific Society be stable?” By
scientific he understood multilaterally advanced. After physical, biologic,
psychological analyses, he affirmatively concluded with four conditions:
1) Single World Government; 2) equal prosperity; 3) low birth rate, and 4) free
individual initiative. Severe, but not impossible, he finally admitted (Russell, 2016).
In the same period, the world population increased about five times. People were not
uniformly distributed on Earth’s surface, but located around the places with available
living resources. Since the growth rate was rather high in a short time those locations
became as crowded as beehives or anthills. Surviving in such locations is a great
challenge. The Italian mathematician Carlo M. Cipolla regarded this fact from a
microbiologic perspective. He identified a kind of human being who seems responsible
for all the unhappiness of society. This is why, in his book published in the year 1988,
syntagmatic dramatis persona was euphemistically adopted for it. That person is
producing damages to society without getting any profit for oneself. Considering the
human crowds as mathematical sets Cipolla elaborated five governing laws. The first
one states that the percentage of existing such people is σ%=const., but always it is sub-
estimated by society. The second law states that the feature of being a dramatis persona
is hereditary, and therefore like Providential. The third law states that only four
categories of people do exist: helpless, intellectual, malefactor, and dramatis persona.
The fourth law blames the association of the first three categories of people with the
last one an irresponsible and dangerous person. Finally, the fifth law affirms the
dramatis persona is the most dangerous type of human, and as a corollary, it is more
dangerous than a malefactor. Dickens and Schiller also condemned the dramatis person
(Cipolla, 1988). In reality, according to Newton’s Law III of reciprocal actions, London
1687, the dramatis person not only cannot be disregarded, but its presence is necessary
for the balance of society.
87
become validated. It was supposed that his Grand Unification Theory would open a
brilliant future for humans (Hawking, 2001). In the same year, on 9/11, the twin towers
of WTC in New York were unexpectedly thrown down. By coincidence, on the same
day, the UNESCO House in Paris hosted the International Millennium Congress “More
than two thousand years in the history of Architecture, Safeguarding the structures of
our architectural heritage.” Two special papers were presented then, one on the
Leaning Tower of Pisa and another on Brancusi and his obsession with gravity
(Sofronie, 2001). Several years later Hawking declined the Grand Unification Theory,
and the gravity force further remained as enigmatic as ever (Hawking, 2005). Regarding
population growth, he mentioned that it cannot continue indefinitely. Sometimes, when
a civilization reaches a high stage of development, it becomes unstable and destroys
itself. The reaction of the United Nations Organization to that statement was prompt.
They immediately published a map edited in 2004 with a point of trifurcation. Since
that point was located exactly over the year 2000 the reaction of public authorities was
expected, but nothing happened. Life continued undisturbed, at least the public one. In
the meantime, Hawking started an open conflict, extended over several years, about the
threatening of Artificial Intelligence on human society. The evolution of conflict was
so bad that in the year 2017 Hawking publicly asked for the support of the World
Government. The request was so categorical as such an authority would really exist and
officially work. It was seen then the great authority Bernard Russell had over Hawking’s
conception. Besides that, a particular case, before and after that eminent scientist,
thousands of governments did exist, and also during his time, a score of voices claimed
the uncontrolled growth of population. Nobody and no one did anything practical. Only
words and empty words. In the above-mentioned circumstances, homo gravitas was
created. The original identity of humans, lasting since Oedipus' time, was then restored.
That simplified model of humans was later presented to the 19th ICOMOS General
Assembly in New Delhi, India. It was a first attempt to find a solution for population
growth.
88
Chart. World population (1700-2000) and population projections (2000-2100)
World Map. Low human impact areas in green, with purple showing areas of higher
impact (Source: RT).
5. Homo gravitas
Conscientiousness checked by the winged monster in Oedipus’ Legend consisted of
the inoculation of a quantum of gravity in the human brain (Sofronie, 2017). In that
way, humans received an immortality status. Since then human life appears like the
span between birth when the brain is connected to gravity, and death when the brain is
disconnected. Both life and death are verbs or processes, not substantives. With
inoculated gravity, humans became independent bodies of the universe in their
connection with the environment. For instance, to humans, the Principle of minimum
constriction of Gauss-Hamilton no longer applies like to animals, automatically.
Humans are obliged to minimize their actions by themselves. Since 1932 Mircea Eliade
at only 25-year-old noticed this privilege of humans only. Once the gravity was located
in the brain it started to generate thoughts. It seems they are very tiny material particles
charged with gravitational energy. Most of the thoughts are used for thinking and
89
therefore they are very welcome. Besides, plenty of unwanted thoughts are released.
Often, in the case of mature people, males and women, they are chaotically circulating
without any control. The process of concentration, for instance, is thus disturbed.
However, the small children, aged between 1 and 3 years e.g., are not disturbed by such
thoughts, and their faces radiate of innocence. Everything for them seems psychedelic.
This miracle happens because the children are only contemplating around, without
exchanging any energy with their environment. Scientifically, this passive phenomenon
by which the image is detached from the gravity that has generated it was called
mirroring. It is hereditarily inherited and called essential because is persisting.
Scientifically, the mirroring was discovered by Plato (c.427-347 BC), (Plato, 1993). It
is also well known from the Greek Legend of Narcissus. According to an old story, the
emperor Shah Jahan regarded the Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, before
its completion in 1653, through a real mirror. Only in that way, the image was not
deformed by human eyes. Mature people are apt to learn contemplation by meditating.
Any self-identification with bodies and objects existing around is avoided. Homo
gravitas has already learned the lesson of contemplation. It is practiced always in
present time, here and now, never in the past or future. The mirror never keeps in its
memory any images; they are abandoned forever. However, the image is following the
mirror-like shade. The mirror is displaying the truth only, without alteration. By
regularly practicing contemplation, mental health is achieved.
6. World Heritage
From a gravitational perspective, the World Heritage preserved by UNESCO consists
of three cultures: 1) Megalithic, based on menhirs, dolmens, and cromlechs; 2)
Adaptable, based on stone or brick masonry and wood as materials, and geometry for
shaping and 3) Creative, based additionally on iron or steel, reinforced concrete, and
glass. For each historic period, a specific gravitational architecture resulted and it was
accordingly conserved (Sofronie, 2020). All the existing physical vestiges, real in 3D,
and touchable, are expressing a single truth by facts and not by words: human nature is
essentially gravitational. Gravity is the single true identity of humans. This is why these
vestiges are unique and irrecoverable, therefore worth to be properly preserved. For
instance, the Eiffel Tower in Paris is a memorial devoted to gravity. It was shaped by a
gravitational governing law. The Pyramid of Cheops in Giza, Egypt, has the same
memorial function and is governed by an identical physical law. The difference between
the two shapes is made by construction materials, iron, and stone, respectively. There
is also a similarity between the Endless Column and Babel Tower. The difference is
made in this particular case by the shaping scale of 1:100. This is why homo gravitas is
unconditionally praising the World Heritage (Lopez, 2002).
90
7. Gravitational introspection of Brancusi
Surprisingly, the Kiss is representing the duality of human bodies, simultaneously
consisting of male and female like in the Oriental Culture yang and yin. However, in
this case, the couple is projected on the vertical of gravity (Figure. 1). The Wisdom of
the
Figure 2. The Wisdom of the Earth 1907 Figure 3. Bird in Space 1919
91
Figure 4. Endless Column 1938
Finally, the Endless Column is disclosing its great secret that by repeated congruencies
or mirroring the innocence can be acquired (Paun, 2001) (Figure. 4).
8. Conclusion
The twenty-first century is devoted to the emancipation of homo gravitas by
mirroring. The opportunity for recovering its natural innocence is due to Brancusi. As
long as the growth of the population is concerned, in the beginning, it should be
carefully lowered. Then, after the mid-century, strongly reduced according to the
attached graph. Simultaneously, the environment should be gradually restored to its
original proportions. That will provide human society with the necessary stability. As
concerns Cipolla’s five laws they shouldn’t be ever forgotten. They are true, indeed. To
throw down the twin towers of TWC in New York and then to close indefinitely Planet’s
mouth with a mask is proof. More cynically couldn’t be.
Acknowledgments
The unconditional support of the UNESCO Chair #177 in Bucharest, Romania, for
writing and presenting the paper with this hot subject is gratefully acknowledged.
Reference List
Russell, Bertrand. 2016. The Impact of Science on Society. London: Routledge
Cipolla, Carlo M. 1988. The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity. Società editrice Il
Mulino, Bologna.
Hawking, Stephen. 2001. The Universe in a Nutshell. Bantam Press. London
Sofronie, Ramiro. 2001. “Brancusi and the obsession of gravity”. Paris: Maison de
l’UNESCO Proceedings of the International Millennium Congress “More than
92
two thousand years in the history of Architecture. Safeguarding the structures of
our architectural heritage”. p. 307-313.
Hawking, Stephen. 2005. The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the
Universe. Beverly Hills: Phoenix Books.
Sofronie, Ramiro. 2017. “Homo gravitas”. Conference Proceedings of the ICOMOS,
CIPA-ICORP, and ISCARSAH Joint Meeting on December 9th in New Delhi.
Plato, 1993. Republic. World’s Classics. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Sofronie, Ramiro et. al. 2020. “Conservation of Gravitational Architecture”
International Journal on Proceedings of Science and Technology. The 4th
International Conference on Conservation of Architectural Heritage. 31 Jan – 02
Feb 2020, Aswan-Luxor, Egypt.
Lopez, Jean. 2002. World Heritage. UNESCO Publishing
Paun, Silvia. 2001. “Constantin Brancusi et la mémoire des héros de la Grande Union
de la Roumanie” – Proceedings of the International Colloquium Brancusi - 125.
Bucharest, Romanian Academy, p.229-238.
93
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
10.
EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF WATER SHIELD SYSTEM
WHICH SPRINKLES LIMITED WATER TO FAÇADE OF
WOODEN NARROW STREET FOR CONTROLLING SPREAD
FIRE IN HISTORIC CITIES
Abstract
In high densely areas of wooden cultural city, it must be difficult to control spread as
large-scale fire after earthquake etc. Water Shield System (WSS) is a kind of
firefighting equipment that sprays adequate water to the surface of wooden walls facing
toward spread, reduce the temperature from radiant heat and decrease the speed of fire
spreading across narrow streets in traditional high densely areas.
This study aims to develop an actual water spray nozzle which can sprinkle for a
wide range of area and to evaluate the effectiveness for fire spread control in real scale
experiment using model of traditional wooden townhouses’ facade. For that purposes,
multi holes nozzle was developed for adequate water distribution profile and
experimental estimation was held with gas burner unit and real scale wooden model.
The surface of traditional wooden buildings was quickly burnt down because of radiant
heat from gas burner unit, but with the water spray by WSS, same surface couldn’t burn
for long time. The effectiveness of EWSS was shown for controlling fire spread in
wooden traditional district of every historic cities.
Keywords: Water Shield System, Spread Fire Control, Water Spray Nozzle,
Real-Scale Experiment, Flammable Historic Cities
94
1. Introduction
95
Figure. 1 Image showing WSS startup
96
sprinkler method will be implemented. Damage by water pressure is not considered in
this study since it has been demonstrated that there is less chance of damage to surface
of wooden buildings due to water spray pressure. With respect to the specifications of
water spray nozzle, we manufactured a porous nozzle so that one nozzle is provided
with multiple outlets to ensure its easy installation in less space. Since the water nozzle
will be used in historic towns, the aspect of landscape was considered while designing
the nozzle.
Table 1 Results of the study conducted on specifications in prior research
Specification study items Study results
It is shown that an amount of 2 L/m2/min is required for sprinkling
considering the safety factor, and a minimum of 3 seconds should
Study on required amount
be considered as sprinkling time as against 5 seconds of non-
of water for sprinkling sprinkling time (In this case, non-sprinkling time is not taken into
consideration since a fixed type sprinkler method is used as below).
We identified a need to conduct a study on fixed water spray method
Study on water sprinkler
since automatic swinging water spray method tends to be less
system efficient in terms of reducing non-spray time.
Study on damage by water It is demonstrated that there is less probability of damaging
spray impact traditional wooden surfaces due to water spray pressure.
We measured the spatial distribution of water that can be sprayed
depending on the type of existing conventional nozzles and
conducted a study on the combination of nozzles. The study has
made it evident that, regarding reachable distance, it is favorable to
Study on the specifications
use a combination of nozzles so that it can sprinkle the water at a
of water spray nozzle rate of 2 L/m2/minute or above in straight discharge of water from
variable spray nozzles. Hence, there are limitations in
compactification when a combination of existing conventional
nozzles is used.
As a futuristic measure, our study will aim at location planning for highly dense areas
of wooden cultural cities such as Myoshinji temple, Kiyomizu Area in Kyoto, etc. so as
to set the spray height from water spray nozzle at 6 m while taking into consideration
the standard height of a wooden wall for 2-story traditional townhouses commonly
found in the streets in such areas. Further, we will set the horizontal distance from the
nozzle position at the edge of the road connecting the outer wall surface at the opposite
side where the water is to be sprinkled (Hereinafter, referred to as nozzle distance) at 5
m considering that the nominal width of public roads is required 4 m at least in Japanese
regulation. If the nozzle is installed in the middle of the road, it will have accessibility
to 10 m wide roads with 2 lanes. With respect to spray width, the wider we set the spray
angle in horizontal, the more reachable distance from the nozzle till the wall surface
will be needed. Consequently, this may result in unnecessary increase in water that does
not reach the wall surface. Accordingly, we have set a horizontal spray angle of the
nozzle at 90° as one of the yardsticks to enable water spray in an extensive range. In
this way, the spray width will be 10 m when the nozzle distance is set at 5 m from wall
surface. It will be ensured that the nozzles are installed at an interval of 10 m to prevent
any overlap between the adjacent spraying width ranges. (Refer to Figure. 2) The
97
installation height will be set at ground level as 0 m to ensure that water can also be
effectively sprinkled behind the eaves from downwards.
As for water discharge flow rate, since spray width and spray height are set
respectively at 10 m and 6 m, the total area of the target wall surface will be 60 m2 and
the required amount of water sprinkled on the wall surface will be above 2 L/m2/minute.
Thus, it will become necessary to set the minimum water discharge flow rate at 120
L/min for each nozzle. However, the maximum water discharge flow rate will be set at
500 L/min to consider the regular water capacity of Japanese city water system and just
to be on the safe side to prevent the wastage of water considering that the entire water
released may not reach the wall surface. Coming to water discharge flow rate, if we can
confirm the sufficient amount of water to be sprayed on the wall surface during the
manufacturing of water spray nozzle, we will reduce the amount of water accordingly.
As for water discharge pressure, 3000 t of water is accumulated in the firefighting water
tank to provide protection from spread fire in Kiyomizu area in Kyoto, which is a typical
example of highly dense areas of wooden cultural cities, assuming that water is
sprinkled from the pressure due to gravity. For this purpose, it becomes necessary to
operate at a low water discharge pressure so that water can also be sprinkled in areas
where the height difference with firefighting water tank is smaller. Hence, the water
discharge pressure will be set at 0.25 Mpa considering about half of the firefighting
equipment like regular hydrant as a standard.
Figure. 2 Image for the installation of WSS Figure. 3 Real-scale model of wooden house
98
However, when preliminary experiment was conducted by spraying water on the
real-scale model, it was visually confirmed that insufficient water was sprinkled under
the eaves. Since it became evident that it is not possible to sprinkle sufficient amount
of water under the eaves which are vulnerable to fire-spread, we developed a water
spray nozzle with specifications appropriate for traditional townhouses and designed a
nozzle in accordance with a typical 2-story building with eaves at a height of 2 m to 3
m and 5 m to 6 m so that it can sprinkle plenty of water under the eaves when compared
to other areas. (Refer to Figure. 4) We consolidated the specification settings for water
spray nozzle developed into Table 2.
99
collecting panel and calculated the distribution of sprayable water on the entire target
area by parallelly moving the position of the 2 nozzles by 1 m each from side to side.
Figure. 4 Special nozzle developed Figure. 5 Seven water collecting panels for
measuring the amount (Arrow direction)
Table 3 Result of amount of water sprinkled on the wall surface (Unit: L/m2/min)
Left Left Left Left Left Right Right Right Right Right Avera
4-5 m 3-4 m 2-3 m 1-2 m 0-1 m 0-1 m 1-2 m 2-3 m 3-4 m 4-5 m ge
7-8
0.07 0.02 0.08 0.02 0.05 0.06 0.27 0.11 0.69 0.25 0.16
m
6-7
3.89 0.69 2.37 3.88 2.73 2.86 3.02 3.29 3.52 2.24 2.85
m
5-6
10.2 2.73 3.48 3.74 6.31 4.72 3.25 3.62 4 4.77 4.68
m
4-5
4.19 3.66 2.7 2.08 4.24 3.53 2.27 2.62 3.21 6.12 3.46
m
3-4
6.47 5.85 3.84 5.04 5.01 6.59 4.77 3.93 5.37 10.29 5.72
m
2-3
4.25 6.45 3.57 2.34 6.38 4.97 3.95 4.45 5.93 10.12 5.24
m
1-2
1.74 3.88 1.35 0.9 2.1 1.77 1.81 2.24 3.79 6.23 2.58
m
(2) Results
Measurement results for the amount of water sprinkled on the wall surface are
consolidated into Table 3. The amount of sprinkled water of 2ℓ/m2/min or above was
observed in the areas at heights of 2-6 m. Further, it is possible to heavily sprinkle water
on the eaves’ elevation since the quantity of water sprinkled on the wall surface is more
at heights of 2-4 m and 5-6 m when compared to other heights on the average. At the
heights of 6 m or above, since water is sprinkled on the tiled roof, which is non-
flammable, it is judged that one area found to be below the amount of water sprinkled
on the wall surface may not be a cause for concern. Moreover, water sprinkled is lower
than the specified value even in the case of lower parts till heights of 1-2 m. But since
most of the water which is sprinkled upwards fall drops-wise on the surface, it is judged
100
that there are no issues as far as substantial amount of sprinkling water is concerned.
After verifying the above results, we decided to conduct a experiment for WSS using
a nozzle that achieved the amount of sprinkling water on wall surface as per Table 3.
101
The temperature of the thermocouple will be recorded in data logger until it attains
the final equilibrium temperature after the gas burner gets ignited.
(4) Judgment method
While changing the horizontal distance, we will measure the temperature of the
radiant heat emitted from the gas burner directly by thermocouple. If this heated
temperature exceeds approximately 850°C after a lapse of 30 minutes in conformity
with the standard heat curve, it is considered that heating is carried out under the same
condition as that of fire-resistance test. Then, we will identify the horizontal distance
between the test object and heating appliance at which this requirement will be satisfied.
3.3 Results
The results of the experiment (Figure. 6) showed that the temperature of 850°C,
which conforms to the standard heat curve, can be achieved when the horizontal
distance between the thermocouple and heating appliance is maintained at 75 to 80 cm.
To be on the safe side, 75 cm is the appropriate distance to satisfy the heating condition.
Still, during the experiment, if the distance is reduced, the gas flame could have directly
reached the test object due to the direction of wind, which may lead to the risk of
deviating from the condition specified in ISO834. Hence, we decided to set the
horizontal distance between the heating appliance and test object at 80 cm while taking
into consideration the distance that does not cause direct heat despite the experimental
results favorable to 75 cm. In order to re-create the heated environment in the whole
area similar to that of fire spread using this gas burner, we manufactured a heating
appliance (70 cm in all four sides) with 9 gas burners aligned in the shape of square and
kept away at a distance of 35 cm from each other. (Figure. 7) This distance of 35 cm
was set after our preliminary experiment confirmed that this distance does not cause
direct interaction between adjacent flame surfaces.
Figure. 6(L) Graph of the distance away from gas burner and received temperature
102
Figure. 7(R) Heating appliance manufactured for experiment purpose
4. Evaluation of the effectiveness of water spray nozzle in fire spread
control by real-scale experiment
104
is assumed that the water spray becomes relatively unstable because of the farthest
water spray distance from each nozzle.
(4) Thermocouple
As an indicator to evaluate the effectiveness for fire control, we will provide a small
aperture towards the surface from the backside of the real-scale model and arrange the
thermocouple through wiring in such a way that the thermocouple is in contact with the
wooden surface in order to confirm the trend of temperature increase on the wooden
surface of the real-scale model.
As the basic setup for arrangement, 9 thermocouples per set will be aligned in the
shape of 70 cm square at an interval of 35 cm between each two in correspondence with
the placement of burners of the heating appliance. In the Figure. 9, 3 observation points
(CH) in the upper row are highlighted in yellow, 3 observation points in the middle row
in green and 3 observation points in the bottom row in blue.
Since the heating appliances are arranged at the heights of upper, middle, and lower
sections of the real-scale model as is discussed in b), it is essential to install the
thermocouple accordingly. In other words, the heating appliances are installed: ① in
the upper section so that the upper end of the set of 9 thermocouples is located under
the eaves of the 2nd floor in order to intensively measure the space under the eaves with
worst spray conditions; ② in the middle section so that each of the 9 thermocouples
per set is located in front of each burner in order to measure direct radiant heat; and ③
in lower section so that the upper end of the set of 9 thermocouples is located under the
eaves of the 1st floor in order to intensively measure the space under the eaves with
worst spray conditions (since the appliances are fixed in the same location even when
installing the fire-proof board, the location is concealed due to the thickness of the
board). (Figure. 9)
105
location; and then ⑦ heating the model and continuing measurement till the ignition
is observed or the temperature reaches final state of equilibrium.
Test contents include 3 cases: a verification test to compare temperature changes
based on the presence/absence of water spray; a verification test to confirm temperature
changes in each part depending on the heating positions under water spray; and a test
to compare temperature changes in each part depending on the implementation of fire-
proof board under the eaves. Test details are consolidated into Table 4.
Table 4 List of Test Details
Distance
With or With or
between
Heating without without
Test heating
position fire-proof water
appliance and
board spray
test object
Lower
1 Without 800 mm With
Section
Lower
2 Without 800 mm Without
Section
Lower
3 With 800 mm With
Section
Upper
4 Without 800 mm With
Section
Middle
5 - 800 mm With
Section
Figure. 9 Heating positions at upper, middle, and lower sections and arrangement of
heating appliances and thermocouples (Height profile)
4.4 Results
We will describe the results based on the temperature changes in the Tests 1 to 5.
Note that 260°C 4) was set as one of the yardsticks to determine the risks of ignition as
it is considered as the ignition threshold temperature for wood.
When it comes to comparison of temperature changes based on the presence/absence
of water spray, it is demonstrated in Test 2 (without water spray) that the temperature
exceeds 260°C, which is the ignition threshold temperature for wooden structures and
flames can be noticed even by visual observation for approximately 1 minute. On the
106
other hand, in Test 1 (with water spray), temperature increase is suppressed and does
not lead to ignition despite flickering temperature. (Figure. 10)
Figure. 12 Comparison based on the difference in heating position under water spray
If the heating position is in the middle section (Test 5), there is no such area under
the eaves which is prone to high temperature. Hence, it becomes stable almost at a value
that does not exceed 100°C during water spray. In Test 5, no temperature of an
observation point for the lower row (blue) is recorded. It is because the position of this
observation point overlaps with that of a supporting scaffold at the backside of the
model, and thus, in reality, no observation point as such could be secured. On the other
hand, when it comes to the upper section (Test 4) and the lower section (Test 1), the
space under the eaves partially tends to attain higher temperature when compared to
other observation points, and we observed that the temperature exceeded 260°C at some
107
points. However, since water spray was carried out in the surroundings of the
observation points where the temperature exceeded 260°C, it did not lead to ignition;
even if ignition took place, it was put off within 10 seconds due to water spray.
Acknowledgment
This study partially is the result of 21st Century COE Program for Education,
Research and Development of Strategy on Disaster Mitigation of Cultural Heritage and
Historic Cities and Center of Excellence Assistance Program based at Ritsumeikan
University. We could perform this real-scale experiment through cooperation from
Yokoi Manufacturing Ltd. and Japan Society for Fire Prevention in Residential Houses.
We would like to express our gratitude.
Reference List
Kyoto City Fire Department, Kyoto University Graduate School of Global
Environmental Studies (Principal Researcher: Takeyuki Okubo). 2007. “Report on
108
the Commissioned Investigative Study on Fire Fighting System According to
Regional Characteristics of Kiyomizu Area”, pp. 1-7.
Saburo Horinouchi, Yoshiteru Murosaki, Tsuyoshi Tokura, Masatomo Yoshida,
Yoshinori Okamura. 1997. "Experimental Studies on Fire Protection by Water
Spray for Traditional Wooden Houses", Bulletin of Japan Association for Fire
Science and Engineering, Vol. 47, Nos. 1 & 2, pp. 21-32.
Takeyuki Okubo, Shoji Arakawa, Yosuke Kikuma, Takeyoshi Tanaka, and Shunsuke
Imoto. 2011. "Research on Specification of Water Shield System for Fire Spread
Control to Protect Traditional Wooden Cities from Fire Disaster", Symposium on
Disaster Mitigation of Cultural Heritage and Historical Cities 2011 Collected
Papers, pp. 117-124.
Japan Testing Center for Construction Materials. 2012. Report on Fire Suppression
Performance Test & Evaluation Procedures.
Asami Suzuki, Noboru Yasui, Yuji Hasemi, Tadanori Kimura, Yoshihide Tamura, and
Naoya Kadooka. 2012. "Development of Bare-timber Eaves for the Restoration of
Historic Town Buildings Compatible with the Current Building Standard Law",
AIJ Journal of Technology and Design, Vol. 18-39, pp. 595-600.
109
11.
SUSTAINABILITY AND HERITAGE PRACTICE IN THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
110
Development Goals (SDGs) and internationally set targets for 2030. Adopting a more
considered approach to the resources that comprise the built environment is a shared
responsibility and many traditional cultures and structures demonstrate the way forward
to reduce our carbon footprint and live sustainably.
1. Introduction
ICOMOS & UNESCO are both working to actively make sure that cultural heritage
is recognised and addressed as part of the internationally recognised Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). Conservation of heritage places contributes to the
UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 11, Making cities and
human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and Goal 12, Ensuring
sustainable consumption and production patterns. The Australian ICOMOS National
Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability (NSCES) has recently produced a
Practice Note on Heritage and Sustainability that is part of the suite of practice notes
that accompany the Australian Burra Charter. Whilst the Burra Charter has been
adopted as an industry standard, the idea that heritage conservation is inherently
sustainable is still not widely understood. In Australia there is constant pressure for
urban renewal and the replacement of existing building stock rather than the adaptation
of the existing building stock to meet current needs. In the 2018 Australian Sustainable
Development Summit one of the areas identified as underperforming in relation to
meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals was the area of sustainable building.
There was no mention of retrofitting or adapting existing building stock.
The purpose of the Australia ICOMOS NSCES practice note is to promote the
benefits and importance of the conservation of heritage places as part of the ongoing
protection and sustainability of the world’s increasingly scarce resources, and to
promote recognition of the sustainability inherent in heritage practice. The question that
is not being asked often enough is “What would be wasted if the existing building or
place were to be demolished?”
The concept of sustainability and sustainable development follows an approach of
conserving the environment and earth’s limited resources, understanding cultural and
social values and improving economic benefits for future generations. These principles
are aligned with the Australian Burra Charter approach to heritage conservation, which
stresses an approach of care and maintenance to the place rather than replacement of
fabric. Adaptation for new uses should involve minimal change to elements identified
as being culturally significant and be confined to areas and fabric of lesser cultural
significance.
111
Sustainability (as set out in the Brundtland report) involves integrating economic,
environmental, cultural and social objectives in long-term development strategies to
meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.1. The Australia ICOMOS NSCES Practice Note Heritage and
Sustainability 1: Built Heritage advocates that the conservation of existing cultural and
natural heritage reduces environmental impacts and carbon emissions and utilises
increasingly scarce resources in a responsible and sustainable way by:
• Minimising construction waste by reducing the demolition cycle, ensuring
building are adapted and retained until the end of their useful life;
• Reducing carbon emissions by minimising the energy needed to demolish and
reconstruct;
• Retaining the embodied energy of existing structures and landscapes,
recognising the environmental cost already paid;
• Continuing the life of building materials that can no longer be sustainably
sourced;
• Continuing to utilise buildings designed to operate using passive
environmental control;
• Contributing towards maintaining a community’s sense of place in a rapidly
changing world and
• Continuing traditional skills and practices, many of which have low
environmental impacts.2
Heritage conservation practice and the broader sustainable development goals have
very similar objectives, however the pursuit of one goal should not be at the expense of
the other. The current focus in Australia on urban renewal and the erection of new
‘sustainable’ buildings is frequently at the expense of the historic built environment.
Carl Elefante’s often quoted mantra that “the greenest building is the one you have
already got”3 is little understood in the development industry, where short term profit
and short lifespan buildings are the aim, perpetuating a cycle of continual
redevelopment.
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the need for production and transportation of new materials. Whilst there have been a
number of international publications that consider our ‘Carbon Future’, including the
scoping study for English Heritage, Understanding Carbon in the Historic
Environment1, there has been little targeted research into the life cycle characteristics
of the range of materials used to build heritage structures, including masonry, terracotta,
timber, metals (wrought iron, cast iron, steel, bronze, aluminium and alloys). This
detailed research is needed to inform life cycle analysis, so that the carbon emissions
of materials and structures over their entire life span can be determined.
One of the two case studies, undertaken by Dublin based Carrig Conservation
International in their 2019 study, compared a refurbishment of a typical British
residential building, a Victorian era terrace house, with a new residential building (new
build). The life cycle carbon emissions of the existing building were lower. An
important point made in this study is that if the refurbishment is undertaken with
increased energy performance in mind, then in addition to lower carbon emissions
comparable energy performance can be obtained to a new build. Victorian era terrace
housing is not only widespread in Great Britain, but throughout British colonies and
this approach can be applied to other row housing stock that is still in use - often
upgrading kitchens and bathrooms but retaining principal rooms, hall and staircase etc.
113
such as marbles and granites and rainforest timbers, were widely used in the past. These
increasingly rare materials can have a long lifespan if well maintained and should be
salvaged and reused.
An example of the loss of embodied energy is the removal of the internal structure
from historic warehouse buildings and the replacement with a concrete structure. Many
of the substantial masonry warehouses erected in Sydney, New South Wales, from the
1860s onwards were demolished in the 1960s, following the lifting of height restrictions.
The warehouses that have survived have substantial hardwood post and beam structures
designed to remain standing in the event of a fire, Australian hardwood proving more
effective in resisting fire than steel. Timber floors can be upgraded to a required level
of fire rating rather than needing replacement by a concrete slab. Hardwood timber
posts can also be retained, thus allowing for the overall warehouse character and
volumes to be retained and the new uses such as offices inserted within.
More research into quantifying the embodied energy inherent in heritage structures
is needed. Having this research would allow for the inclusion of the loss of this
embodied energy as environmental cost and allow councils to factor this cost into their
assessment. Work is currently being undertaken by the Green Building Council in
Australia to include existing buildings as a credit in their ‘Greenstar rating’ system
which will assist in encouraging the adaptive reuse of buildings.
114
recycled stone and brick for landscaping (and other works where structural integrity is
no longer an issue). Reducing the demolition cycle ensures that buildings are adapted
and retained until the end of their useful life. This cycle of demolition and rebuilding
should be compared to cities such as London where there are numerous areas with
Georgian building stock still in use as professional chambers and as residences. In
Sydney this form has largely vanished in the Central Business District (CBD) where
similar Georgian era townhouses have been demolished and new structures built twice
or even three or four times over.
Salvaging building materials has become a viable industry in certain countries, to the
extent that the salvage dealers are like antique dealers, with trade shows, regular
publications and professional networks. In countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia
almost the entire range of building elements is salvaged from demolition sites. The
reuse of building components and materials is very extensive in Third World Countries.
The novels of Charles Dickens describe the existence of a similar economy in London
in the nineteenth century, an economy in which nothing was wasted. Vanished
occupations such as mudlarking and picking oakum record this economy of salvaging
and recycling. Today whole buildings are demolished using heavy machinery, rather
than being ‘unbuilt’, and the materials taken to the rubbish tip, with little thought for
environmental impact. The 2019 study Heritage Counts – Re-Use and Recycle to
Reduce Carbon1, notes that
115
Figure.3 At T house in Saigon, architects Kientuc O have added a conservatory made
from recycled glass. Source: Authors
116
provide long-term benefits in terms of lower energy usage.
Traditional buildings (including heritage buildings) were often designed with passive
rather than mechanical ventilation and may have the added benefit of the high thermal
mass of masonry walls and chimneys. Supplementary heating or cooling can be
provided however this should not be at the expense of, or reduce the efficiency of,
passive means of environmental control. Rather, how the building was designed to
operate needs to understood so supplementation can take full advantage of all the
passive measures, thus limiting additional energy consumption. The operation of
existing passive ventilation, sunshading and heating should be part of the analysis of
existing building fabric.
Public chambers such as nineteenth century courthouses and parliamentary chambers
were designed with operable ventilation that could be adjusted depending on the
temperature. Sealing these chambers so that they permanently need air conditioning,
rather than allowing for openable windows and occasional supplementation in hot or
cold weather, is not be cost effective as the running costs increased considerably. More
recent retrofitting projects have included a balance, retaining operable windows to give
the occupants a degree of flexibility and choice regarding airflow from the exterior.
Figure.4 At the Rijksmusem in Amsterdam a new entry was inserted into former
courtyards with a large central climate-controlled atrium retaining the original and
inserting new windows opening into the space and natural light. Source: Authors
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gallery, being one of the most widely known examples.
By retaining the existing building, yet modernising services and improving
accessibility, major public buildings such as the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam continue
to play a part in daily life. Interventions have been undertaken to allow the main public
spaces to continue to operate as such. A balance has been achieved between the need to
upgrade the building to meet the environmental standards, needed to preserve the works
of art that are on display, and the need to maintain the overall historic form and
appearance of the Museum and its principle public galleries.
In retrofitting public buildings modern servicing requirements for data, air
conditioning, heating and lighting can be provided within the existing building without
compromising the major spaces. In the case of Parliament House in Sydney, a complex
of buildings literally cobbled together in the 1850s by a fledging Government that had
no funds, a salvaged prefabricated church and the former hospital pavilion still form
the heart of the complex. These buildings continue to operate, and have been carefully
maintained and upgraded over the years.
Conservation areas and historic town designations are ways in which historic
residential building stock, as well as churches, shops and public buildings such as
schools can be retained. The degree of success is dependent on the degree of control
over the demolition and replacement of buildings. The current controls for
Conservation Areas, such as the waterfront suburbs of Balmain and Birchgrove in
Sydney, require the main roof form of the historic building stock to be retained, thus
retaining the character of the streetscape. In the treatment of the rear wings there is a
greater degree of flexibility, and this is where modern kitchens and bathrooms can be
inserted and additional floor space provided.
8. Implementation
Works to historic building stock need to be carefully considered and the nature of the
existing form, structure and plan understood, so that any interventions enhance the
character and operation of the place in terms of daylight and ventilation. Possible
interventions, depending on the heritage significance, to allow historic building stock
to continue in use in a sustainable manner include:
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Implementing rainwater collection measures including the introduction of
non-potable water / greywater harvesting;
Insulation of services pipes/ducts to prevent freezing, heat loss or temperature
increase;
Provision of adequate insulation to reduce loss of heat and prevent heat
transfer through roofs, walls and floors without sealing the building, thus
allowing the building to breathe and preventing excessive moisture build
up and mould growth;
Improving the performance of individual building components such as the
use of solar glass, vacuum glass, thermal insulating shutters, where these
could have a minimal impact in a conservation project; and/or
Controlling sun access and sun shading to limit heat build up or utilising the
heat from the sun and thermal mass to heat an internal space (depending on
the climate zone).1
9. Conclusion
The existing historic built environment should be seen as a resource or asset to
be carefully maintained for the future generations, taking care to retain the unique
character of individual buildings and places that contribute to a community’s sense
of place and contribute to the visitor experience of tourists. To conserve scarce
planetary resources concepts of stewardship and asset management should replace
rapid cycles of profit-driven urban renewal. We need to continually be asking
ourselves, what would be wasted if this place were to be demolished? The erection
of buildings with short life spans using materials that have a high energy cost in both
their production and transportation is frequently at the expense of historic buildings
stock. Comparisons undertaken in England and Ireland between retrofitting /
refurbishment and new builds are proving that, in terms of reducing carbon
emissions and construction waste, adapting existing building stock out performs
new builds. To slow the rate of climate change, a more concerted approach needs
to be adopted to maintain and repair the building stock that we already have and
where necessary carefully adapt it for modern use. The Australia ICOMOS NSCES
Practice Note Heritage and Sustainability 1 : Built Heritage was prepared to broaden
the understanding of the benefits of adaptive reuse and to encourage the adoption
of a sustainable approach to the treatment of the built environment. The Practice Note
can be found on the Australia ICOMOS website by searching on the term “Practice
1 Australia ICOMOS NSCES Practice Note Heritage and Sustainability 1: Built Heritage, 2019
119
Note Heritage and Sustainability Built Heritage”.1
Acknowledgements
The practice note referred to in this paper was prepared jointly by the members of
the Australia ICOMOS National Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability
who are a group of heritage professionals from across Australia, in particular Dr Noni
Boyd and Jennifer Faddy. Other group members involved can be found on the
committee’s website2.
Reference List
Australia ICOMOS, The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places
of Cultural Significance. 2013.
Carrig Conservation International, Understanding Carbon in the Historic
Environment, prepared for Historic England by Professor Aidan Duffy, Anita
Nerguti, Dr Caroline Engel Purcell and Peter Cox. 2019
Elefante, Carl, “The Greenest Building is One That is Already Built, Forum Journal.”
the Journal of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Summer 2007, Volume
21 No. 4
Historic England on behalf of the Historic Environment Forum, There’s No Place
Like Old Homes, Re-Use and Recycle to Reduce Carbon, Heritage Counts 2019
World Commission on Environment and Development, “Our Common Future”,
Brundtland Report, 1987, Chapter 2: Towards Sustainable Development.
UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals,
https://en.unesco.org/sustainabledevelopmentgoals
1 https://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/Practice-Note_Heritage-and-Sustainability-1-Built-Heritage.pdf
2 https://australia.icomos.org/get-involved/national-scientific-committees/nsc-energy-sustainability/
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ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
12.
FOSTERING AND SAFEGUARDING A SUSTAINABLE
HERITAGE FOR ALL: “CONSERVATION OF THE CHENG MEI
ANCESTRAL HALL, TAIWAN”
Abstract
The Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall (1885) locating in Yongjing, Taiwan is the Wei family
estate built adjacent to one of the biggest irrigation systems in Taiwan, Babao Canals.
In addition to the environmental hazards like humidity fluctuation, salt efflorescence,
and pest infestation, as well as other threats due to climate change naming heavy
rainfalls and frequent typhoon visits, this County-designated Historic Building endured
overloaded occupancy and negligence of maintenance over the past centuries, which
caused severe structural deterioration and losses of movable cultural heritage. The
disastrous 921 Earthquake in 1999 was the last straw to devastate the Hall, however,
this united the Wei family and initiated a comprehensive conservation plan to prevent
their ancestral home from further destruction.
This research aims to analyze how the conservation work and risk mitigation help to
reduce the impact of future disaster, and subsequently prolong the life of the mansion
and extend the family legacy, while safeguarding the tangible and intangible heritage
in Taiwan. For instance, various innovative preventive measurements were formulated
to build greater resilience, such as introducing a new supportive foundation and
redesigning waterway routes for suitable drainage and protection. Moreover, other
risk reduction and preparedness measures were also applied, such as the moisture
insulation mechanism for bamboo wattle and daub walls to provide an adequate
barrier against moisture, as well as a seismic mechanic design for the joints between
stone pedestals and wooden pillars in response to the frequent earthquakes in Taiwan.
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Through its disaster risk and maintenance management plans abiding the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG), the restored mansion, now hosting the Cheng Mei Cultural
Park, works to improve capabilities by fostering innovative approaches and viewpoints
on heritage conservation and natural preservation. Meanwhile, the Tinghsin Hote
Foundation also promotes the sustainable use of heritage for resilient land utilization
by cooperating with the local community and traditional knowledge in order to maintain
sustainability with the regional identity and transformation of Yongjing.
The Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall (Figure. 1) located in Yongjing Township, Changhua
County is the family mansion of the renowned Wei family from central Taiwan. In 1885,
it was built adjacent to one of the biggest irrigation systems in Taiwan, the Babao Canals,
allowing the Wei family to thrive with the Canal.1 The mansion was built in traditional
building methods, which are fusions of Han Chinese, Hakka and local Taiwanese
tradition. It was built according to the family’s emotional cohesion, which not only
creates an environment to nurture the offspring and to act as the social and cultural
centrum for the local community, but also portrays outstanding craftsmanship and
cultural significance. It is a unique fusion of Hoklorized Hakka (fulao ke, 福佬客)2
culture and architecture, which is considered as one of the best historical residential
1 For details of the construction of the Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall, please refer to Wei (2008: 55–106) and the
Southern Fujian Province) in Taiwan, which is ethnical of Hakka origin but is completely integrated with the
Hokkien society, language and lifestyle. It formed when the Hakka immigrants first moved to the Hokkien people
occupied areas, and the Hakka people started adopting their languages and customs to the Hokkien culture for
protection and other social benefits. Therefore, a fusion culture is created and these Hakka people are not easy to
be distinguished from the Hokkien people as they are using Hokkein dialects as well, hence a large number of
Hoklorized Hakka people are not aware of their Hakka origins. The difficulty to identify and remember the Hakka
roots has resulted in tremendous loss of original Hakka culture and awareness for the Hoklorized Hakka families.
However, the Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall is one of the rare cases that the family’s Hoklorized Hakka culture has
been identified, researched, preserved and interpreted through the conservation process, therefore it has become
a critical witness of the Hoklorized Hakka culture formation. For further research on the Hoklorized Hakka
architecture features and representation at the Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall, please refer to: Lin, Q. and Huang, H.
(2020).
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estates in Taiwan, and therefore the mansion was designated as a County Historical
Building of Changhua in 2008 for its historic and cultural value.
Like other historic residences, the Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall had its ups and downs
over the past century. Some examples include enduring overloaded occupancies and
negligence of maintenance, as well as environmental hazards such as humidity
fluctuation, pest infestation, heavy rainfalls and frequent typhoon visits, especially
suffering from severe deterioration over time due to the rising dampness from high
levels of groundwater around the Canal. The disastrous 921 Earthquake in 1999 was
the last straw in devastating the Hall, however, this united the Wei family and led to the
creation of a comprehensive conservation plan to prevent their ancestral home from
further destruction.
The documentation and condition survey started in 2005, and the actual conservation
process took place between 2009 and 2012. The project included the preservation and
restoration of remaining houses at the ancestral hall, as well as the conservation and
reconstruction of collapsed areas. Besides series of family and regional history research
along with intensive conservation appraisals, the restoration work and risk-mitigating
preventive measurements had not only prolonged the life of the mansion and
safeguarded the traditional artisan skills, but also extended the family legacy and
created valuable cohesion for the family, while successfully safeguarding the tangible
and intangible heritage in Taiwan and facilitating regional regeneration of Yongjing
area.1
Figure.1 The Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall (after conservation) and surrounded Second
Babao Irrigation Canal in Yongjing, Changhua. Source: Tinghsin Hote Foundation
2. Identifing The Threats
The Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall is situated in the subtropical zone in Taiwan, which
1 Information regarding the survey, the condition before the conservation, and the methods used in the conservation
of the Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall is retrieved from a series of unpublished notes, meeting memoranda and reports
from 2005–2012 by the authors with permission of the Tinghsin Hote Foundation.
123
comes with high temperatures almost all year long, and high humidity brought by
frequent and heavy rainfall. The environmental factors are the main causes
of deterioration (Tabke 1), and there are also other threats responsible for the
degradation: structural (Tabke 2), biological (Tabke 3), and social factors (Tabke 4).
Before the conservation, structural safety inspections and material analyses were
carried out in order to tailor suitable conservation techniques for the serious ground
settling problems and provide a stable foundation for the whole compound. Properties
examinations on each material were also carried out to determine which areas or
structures need to be reinforced, and decide which components are suitable for reused
and confirm their anti-seismic performances. For instance, besides based on the timber
frame masters’ experiences, non-destructive ultrasonic tests were applied to determine
whether each piece of timber can be reused.
124
V. Extreme weather conditions—heavy rain or VI. Moisture fluctuation and ground dampness:
125
III. Material deterioration—deformation of wooden truss: IV. Material deterioration—Salt
There are often cracks and insufficient bonding between the migration:
brick wall and the timber system.
Salt efflorescence, and leaching of materials
have occurred on flooring tiles.
126
III. Improper alteration—roofing tile replacement: IV. Improper alteration—using cement replacing
The roofing tiles were replaced with red Japanese style original materials:
roofing tiles.
The cement was often used for repairing original
materials. E.g. The original stone plinth was repaired
with cement filling.
127
geological settlement (Figure. 4 & 5). It aims to reduce the disaster risk and prevent
further losses may cause by ground subsidence, dampness, fluctuation of humidity,
flooding and frequent earthquakes, in order to be prepared for the future. The design
also reserved space for subsequent piping/electricity systems in order to avoid further
openings of the foundation in the future, and thereby reduce leakage possibilities. This
preventive approach is coherent to the “Building Back Better” 1 concept that is to
improve the low-lying site and ground settling issue; the new supporting foundation
mitigates the impact of future disasters that could contribute to environmental
sustainability and resilience of the heritage place. After the completion of the
conservation, although the extreme weather has become more and more evident and
constantly posed threats to the Yongjing area, at Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall there were
no more flooding occurrences and the dampness was improved.
Figure.2 The structure was first disassembled during conservation. Source: Tinghsin
Hote Foundation
1 The “Building Back Better (BBB)” concept is the use of the implementation of well-balanced
disaster risk reduction measures for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction phases after a disaster,
and to increase the resilience of nations and communities through integrating disaster risk reduction
measures into the restoration of physical infrastructure and societal systems, and into the revitalization
of livelihoods, economies and the environment. It was was first officially used in the United
Nations' “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Document”, which was agreed on at
the “Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction” in Sendai, Japan, 2015. For further
explanations please refer to UNISDR, 2020: 11; Building Back Better (BBB)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_Back_Better, accessed 17 Sept. 2020; United Nations Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction, 2017; Hallegatte, Stephane et al., 2020.
128
Figure.3 The original materials were carefully labeled and recorded before
disassembled, and then stored accordingly before reuse. Source: Tinghsin Hote
Foundation
Figure.4 In order to prevent the rising dampness from the high content of ground
water, the foundation was elevated by 48cm during the conservation, the new
foundation for the whole compound is shown in brown color, keeping all building
heights and sequences in their original states. Source: Tinghsin Hote Foundation
Figure.5 The new raised foundation reserves space for future piping/electricity system. Source:
Tinghsin Hote Foundation
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3.2 Preventive waterway route design for suitable drainage and protection
Another implementation for disaster risk reduction measure was to redesign the water
route within the compound to create better drainage and resilience to reduce the
vulnerability and impact of future disasters, also to reach a better coexistence with the
Canal (Figure. 6). The ground ditches were redesigned in accordance with the rainfall
passage along the roof, which allows the rainfall drains immediately and minimize the
moisture content of the roof and indoor microclimate. Additionally, the waterway route
has been redesigned to comply with Feng Shui 1 principles for better energy flow.
Therefore, the overall water flow and draining ability were greatly improved, which
lower the threats caused by moisture, and preserve the building in response to the risks
caused by the canal water and extreme weather conditions due to climate change.
Figure.6 The original and redesigned waterway route and drainages after
conservation; Left: The original drainage route before conservation; Right: The water
route after conservation Source: Tinghsin Hote Foundation
1 Feng Shui (風水), literally means ‘wind and water’, is a traditional geomantic practice that comes from China,
130
degrading China fir during conservation, in order to prolong the life of the timber
structure and achieve material sustainability. 1 All components were examined
individually before conservation, and new materials were only applied when the
original materials were tested insufficient, while abiding the principles of enhancing
the structural strength without altering the appearance to ensure the authenticity, as well
as to ensure the buildings last for at least another one hundred years. At that time of
conservation, the public sectors usually used fir as the restoration material due to the
budget restrain, and they applied chemical wood antiseptic as a custom to prolong the
timber durability. However, the chemicals not only harm the woods but also cause
health hazards concerns. This project had brought in forestry experts to advise on the
choice of new timber materials, combining with the traditional carpentry’s wisdom to
prepare timbers during the spring to obtain the finest timbers.
Figure. 7 The carpentry master was in charge of material quality control and all timbers were
prepared in traditional method and naturally dried for 2 years in advance in order to assure the
moisture content under 20% that would minimize the termite infestation probability. Source:
Tinghsin Hote Foundation
1
The original timbers were mostly Taiwan cypress that were popularly used during the Japanese ruled
period; and China fir that is commonly used in Han Chinese architecture in Southern China. The
Taiwan cypress parts were restored or replaced with the same material; however, since the China fir
components have mostly decayed and have termite infestation, they were replaced with Cambodia teak
that accommodates the hot and humid weather in Taiwan more easily in order to withstand the termite
infestation and extend the longevity of the buildings. Since forest cutting was banned since the 1980s,
all timbers for construction have to be imported.
131
4. Mitigation Treatments for Future Threats
4.1 Reinforcement between the Wooden Truss and Brick Wall Structure
In order to fortify the attachment between the timber framework and wall structure,
and to prevent future cleavage, several traditional Han Chinese construction techniques
were converted for further reinforcement and prevention of frequent earthquakes in
Taiwan: a long bamboo frame and a bamboo braid mesh are inserted into cavity walls
(Figure. 8); also, at the joint of wooden column and masonry walls, a shear mechanism
is affixed to the wood (Figure. 9).
Figure.8 The long bamboo frame and bamboo braid mesh are inserted into cavity
walls for better attachment between timber frameworks and walls. Source: Tinghsin
Hote Foundation
Figure. 9 A shear mechanism between the wood column and masonry wall for
reinforcement. Source: Tinghsin Hote Foundation
132
4.2 Moisture Insulation Mechanics for Bamboo Wattle and Daub Walls
Following the ancestors’ wisdom using local natural materials, the traditional
Chinese building technique—bamboo wattle and daub walls (Figure. 10), the earth
construction technique combining woven bamboo splits with clay provides the Cheng
Mei Ancestral Hall with good ventilation, heat and cold tolerance and proper weather
acclimatization. However, this traditional material has degraded and become less and
less resistant to the rapid heat and humidity fluctuation under the accelerating climate
change, therefore preventive mechanisms were added to the traditional techniques in
order to increase stability and prolong the life of natural materials. Among them, a
unique invention of moisture insulation mechanism is one of the easiest to install and
is less aesthetically intervening in the natural materials. This set of moisture insulation
mechanics for timber structures uses brass sheets as a barrier, inserting between the
bamboo wattle and daub walls and timber pillars, which is designed to provide an
adequate barrier against the rainwater or high moisture content from the surrounded
canal penetrating through the joints between walls and pillars, which are usually the
most vulnerable spots for leakage or moisture accumulation (Figure. 11 & 12).
Figure. 10 The original bamboo wattle and daub wall that is degrading. Source:
Tinghsin Hote Foundation
133
Figure. 11 The new water insulation mechanism installed during conservation.
Source: Tinghsin Hote Foundation
Figure. 12 The moisture insulation mechanism between bamboo wattle and daub
walls and timber structures. Source: Tinghsin Hote Foundation
134
Figure. 13 Before conservation: Timber column misplaced on the stone plinth and the
cracking of the stylobate are due to distortion caused by moisture fluctuation. Source:
Tinghsin Hote Foundation
By extending the owner Wei family’s legacy, the restored Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall
135
now hosts the Cheng Mei Cultural Park that is open to the general public since 2013. It
consists of the restored historic structure as a house museum, and the Garden He-De
built in 2014-2015 commemorating the Wei brothers’ father, adding an elegant touch to
the museum landscape and celebrating the cultural landscape of plant industry and
agriculture in Yongjing. The adoption of new uses of a museum for the old buildings
while retaining their heritage character and the family’s sense of place has contributed
significantly to the local economy and sustainable development.
136
Figure.46 The main tone of painted finishes is red and blue: red for outdoors and blue
for indoors. Source: Tinghsin Hote Foundation
A follow-up accelerated aging test of the paint layers was carried out between 2017-
2020 in order to provide more references for maintaining the authenticity and long term
preservation (Figure. 17 & 18). This ongoing experiment aims to find alternative paint
sources from local suppliers which accommodate the local environment in Taiwan,
instead of constantly using paints imported from Germany for sustainability and budget
concerns. The current results suggest that in order to extend the durability of paint layers,
the wooden surfaces should be re-varnished every two years due to the high humidity
and temperature, and long-term sunlight exposure in Taiwan, as well as the increasing
climate change conditions.
Figure. 17 Accelerated aging test of various paint sources. Source: by the author.
137
Figure. 18 Accelerated aging tests of the paint layers. Source: by the author.
6. Conclusion
The restored Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall continues its original role as the key location
for uniting the Wei family; besides keeping the original function of ancestor
worshipping and family gathering, other spaces are open to the public as exhibition
rooms for cultural preservation and advocacy. Notably in order to manage and ensure
the quality and smooth progress of the conservation, a Techniques Reconstruction Zone
(Figure. 19) was designed for a better understanding of not only the construction
methods but also the possible degradation process and measurements in response. A 1:1
scale model of the most complex joint areas was built to study the points between two
eaves that are most likely to leak, and after the conservation, it is preserved as an
architectual preservation learning zone. As one of the first private sectors in Taiwan to
lead the conservation of architectural heritage independently, the Cheng Mei Cultural
Park has become the conservation knowledge exchange center in central Taiwan. The
conservation project and the subsequent regional regeneration of the Yongjing area
made the Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall a social and cultural center for the local community.
The Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall was opened for professional visits during the
conservation process, and it continues to host various programs on tangible and
intangible heritage preservation, aiming to provide Yongjing and Taiwan with a cultural
and conservation learning center, as well as to promote public awareness about
sustainability (Figure. 20). As a private-sector organization in Taiwan, the Tinghsin
Hote Foundation is on its mettle to create new responses for the emerging challenges,
and is continuously strengthening the means of implementation and revitalization of the
global partnership for sustainable development, promoting Taiwanese cultural heritage
to the international community, in order to preserve the cultural heritage on a global
scale.
138
Figure. 19 The Techniques Reconstruction Zone at Cheng Mei Cultural Park. Source:
Tinghsin Hote Foundation
Reference List
Hallegatte, S., Rentschler, J. and Walsh, B. 2020.” Building Back Better: Achieving
resilience through stronger, faster, and more inclusive post-disaster
reconstruction ”(PDF). World Bank/GFDRR. Accessed 18 September, 2020.
Institute of Taiwan History, Academia Sinica , 2015. The Development History
Research of Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall and Yongjing. Changhua: Tinghsin Hote
Foundation.
Lin, Q. and Huang, H., 2020. “ Tracing, representing, and passing on Hoklorized
Hakka heritage: Cheng Mei Cultural Park”, Museology Quarterly, 34(2), pp. 5-41.
Tinghsin Hote Foundation (2005–2012). Site survey, condition check, conservation
and preservation of Cheng Mei Ancestral Hall. [Unpublished notes, meeting
139
memorandum and reports].
UNISDR (2020). “Report of the open-ended intergovernmental expert working group
on indicators and terminology relating to disaster risk reduction” (PDF). Accessed
18 September, 2020.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2017). Build Back Better in
recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Consultative version (PDF) (Report).
Accessed 18 September, 2020.
Wei, J. (2008). A Study on the Architectural Development of the Family House Wei
Chengmei Hall. MA. Taipei National University of the Arts.
Zhang, R., 1995, Local Historical Research of Yongjing Township. Changhua:
Yongjing Township Office.
140
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
13.
CAPACITY OF WORLD HERITAGE TEMPLES FOR USING AS
EVACUATION PLACES AND SHELTERS AGAINST TO THE
TOURISM HAZARD: A CASE STUDY FOR POST-
EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE IN KYOTO, JAPAN
Abstract
This case study focuses the capacity of the temples for using as evacuation places
and shelters near the Kyoto station. There are two big temples which are Nishi Hongan-
ji and Higashi Honagan-ji. These two temples are both Buddhism temple which have
more than 40,000 m2 of site area with open spaces and have traditional wooden
structures. The biggest structure of Nishi Hongan-ji is the Main Hall of which
dimensions are 62 m x 48 m with a height of 29 m. A main purpose of the hall is to
invite believers to sit and make a Buddhism service in the hall. To-ji also has the
buildings which are having purpose for making service. Japanese traditional temple has
the important function of the assembly place or hall so that these potentialities can
support the over tourist evacuees to stay for the first stage after post-catastrophic
disaster. We could evaluate the potentiality of post-disaster response resources existing
and the management system by the result of the investigation for the community
activities and both indoor and outdoor spaces of the temples.
141
1. Introduction
1 Kyoto City Information Center “If an earthquake occurs at the Hanaore Fault.”
2 Kyoto City Information Center “If a Nankai / Tonankai earthquake occurs”.
3 Kyoto City Information Center “Kyoto Station Area Urban Renewal Safety Assurance Plan (6th Edition)”.
142
1.2 Research Objectives
In this study, the area around Kyoto Station, the largest terminal in Kyoto City, where
the Hanaore Fault Zone earthquake and the Nankai and Tonankai earthquakes are
expected to cause enormous damage, is set as the research area.
By focusing on Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples, which are the head
temples of Jodo Shinshu and are in the area around the terminal, we will evaluate the
level of improvement in supplies and energy reserves on using these temples as disaster
prevention bases and making effective use of materials and equipment in daily use.
There are several Shinshu Otani temples and Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji temples, which
have respectively Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples as their head temple
in the area around the terminal. Thus, we will also investigate the relationship among
these related temples and their head temples and the need for these related temples to
function as disaster prevention bases and give a consideration to items that can be
introduced as measures against stranded commuters.
143
planning criterion decided was the 1 km radius centered on Kyoto Station1. Figure 1
shows the situation around the terminal.
Figure 1. Area around the terminal. Original Image by Zenrin map service. Revised
by the Author.
1 Interview with Kyoto City Planning Bureau City Renewal and Creation Promotion Office
144
3.1 Facilities Owned by Temples
Currently, in the area around the terminal, the stockpile of drinking water to be
distributed to outside visitors is insufficient and needs to be improved. During the Great
East Japan Earthquake, the amount of household water required as toilet water was
insufficient, and many evacuation centers had to face environmental problems. In this
study, in order to improve such issues concerning provision of water, we investigated
the water facilities owned by Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples and
examined their possible uses. Table 1 shows the results of the survey on water facilities
owned by Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples. As a result of the study,
water facilities that can be used for drinking water are the city water reservoir and well
water reservoir owned by Nishi Hongan-ji temple. The total amount of water is 60 m³,
which means 60,000 L of drinking water. Water from the water tank and moat of
Higashi Hongan-ji temple and the pond of Nishi Hongan-ji temple can be used as water
for household use. The total water volume is about 3,650 m³. The vast water resources
owned by the temple can be used as toilet water while living in temporary evacuation
centers.
Table 1. Results of study on water facilities
In order to improve the shortage of portable toilets in the area around the terminal,
we investigated the permanent toilets owned by Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-
ji temples, which are designated as temporary facilities. Although both temples are
designated as temporary accommodation facilities, not all the precincts are designated
as such, and only some buildings with accommodation facilities will be provided. Table
2 shows the buildings in the temple precincts that each temple will provide as temporary
accommodation facilities and the number of permanent toilets in those buildings.
Further, if a permanent toilet at the time of disaster is flush type, then flushed water can
reach the sewage by applying water pressure. Since Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi
Hongan-ji temples have a large amount of water resources that can be used as toilet
water, permanent toilets can be effectively used as toilets in case of disaster. The "Kyoto
City Stockpiling Plan" stipulates provision of 1 portable toilet per 100 persons. Table 2
shows how many stranded commuters can use the permanent toilets provided by the
temporary accommodation facilities in the large temples, using this need criteria for
145
portable toilets. Higashi Hongan-ji temple has a total of 93 permanent toilets, which
can be used by 9,300 stranded commuters. Nishi Hongan-ji temple has a total of 25
permanent toilets that can be used by 2,500 stranded commuters.
1 Interview with Kyoto City Government Finance Bureau Disaster Prevention Crisis Management Office
146
by the temples into the estimated number of meals using the “Food Database” 1
published by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. As
a result, the food stocked in the in-house cafeteria was effective as a supplement for
1015 meals in total. Also, since Higashi Hongan-ji temple has 55 kg to 70 kg of temple
ritual rice, it is effective as supplementary food for 1,050 to 1,340 meals. Assuming
Nishi Hongan-ji temple has 32 kg of temple ritual rice, it is effective as supplementary
food for about 650 meals. Thus, it became clear that, in total, the temple ritual rice in
Higashi Hongan-ji temple, the food in the cafeteria on premises, and the temple ritual
rice in Nishi Hongan-ji temple are effective as supplementary food for about 2,715 to
3,065 meals.
Higashi Hongan-ji temple owns two types of curtains, and Nishi Hongan-ji temple
does not own anything other than the one currently in use. As the curtains are treated
as Buddhist religious objects, there is a possibility that these cannot be used even during
a disaster. Both the temples have blankets for worshipers. Higashi Hongan-ji temple
has 200 blankets and Nishi Hongan-ji temple has 2,000 blankets, and so they can be
used at the time of disaster. Regarding the blankets owned by these temples, one blanket
can be used adequately for infants and toddlers. However, when distributed to adults, 2
sheets are needed because even though the width is adequate at 1,300 mm, the height
is only 1,000 mm. On the other hand, since each curtain has a width of 3,000 mm, it
has a length of 2 people per sheet. But, as with blankets, purple curtain with a height of
1,000 mm cannot be used by 1 adult. When all the curtains and blankets of Higashi
Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples are converted into aluminum sheets as per the
standard size, they can be used as aluminum sheets (simple blankets) for about 1,160
to 2,265 people.
Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples do not stock new candles. However,
Higashi Hongan-ji temple has a certain amount of stock of residual wax, and Nishi
Hongan-ji temple is currently considering the stock of residual wax. Table 15 below
shows the results for residual wax stocked at Higashi Hongan-ji temple. Higashi
Hongan-ji temple stocks residual wax of 3 types of candles. The residual wax of No.
200 candle, the smallest standard size, has a burning time of at least 90 minutes. Further,
the No. 400 candle having a larger standard size has a burning time of 4 to 5 hours even
with residual wax. Burning time of residual wax of No. 300 candle, which has size in
between these standard sizes could not be ascertained. Accordingly, we take the burning
time as average of No. 200 candles and No. 400 candles. The total burning time of these
stored residual waxes is 25,140 minutes, which is about 420 hours.
1 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “Food Composition Database”
147
4. Outcomes of Capacity Evaluation
In this chapter, we will evaluate the effectiveness of measures taken using facilities
and supplies owned by Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples by crystallizing
the issues from the current situation of the preparation system for stranded commuters
in the area around the terminal.
Then, the number of stocks owned by the temples is added to the current stock in the
area around the terminal to calculate the stockpiling shortage after taking measures with
the temple facilities and supplies. In addition, we will compare the current stock
shortage with the stock shortage after taking measures with the temples to show the
improvement rate of stock shortage. Table 4 shows the stockpiling shortage quantity
after the measures taken using the temples, and Table 20 shows the improvement rate
of stockpiling shortage by effectively utilizing the temple facilities and supplies.
Table 4. Stockpiling quantity after taking measures using temple facilities and supplies
148
As a conclusion of this section, if the shortage of stockpiling necessary for stranded
commuters is improved by utilizing facilities and supplies owned by Higashi Hongan-
ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples, then a 100% improvement in the current stockpiling
shortage can be expected for drinking water and portable toilets. On the other hand,
stockpile shortage of supplementary food can be expected to improve by about 3,000
meals, but this corresponds to about 3% of the current shortage, indicating an evident
need for further improvement of public stockpile. An improvement of about 10% of the
total stock shortage of aluminum sheets (simple blankets) can be expected. However,
this is still not enough, and thus, further improvement is required for aluminum sheets
as well.
Here, we further compare the required public stockpiling quantity currently needed
in the area around the terminal with the shortage of stockpiling after taking measures
using temple facilities and supplies to determine the shortage level in the area around
the terminal even after the temples are used effectively. Table 5 shows the results of the
comparison.
Table 5. Improvement rate of stockpiling shortage
As a result, even when temple facilities and supplies are used effectively, there is a
large shortage of 68% for supplementary food and about 50% for aluminum sheets.
Although it is necessary to improve regular public stockpiling of drinking water and
portable toilets in the area around the terminal, it can be said that improving the
stockpiling of supplementary food and aluminum sheets need to be given priority.
However, a number of people use 1 lot of candles, as when a candle is divided into
12 lots, 1 lot is shared by 140 stranded commuters. In Higashi Hongan-ji temple, further
improvement can be expected if in the future, storage space for candles can be secured
as much as possible. However, as a large-scale temporary accommodation facility, the
temple needs to provide an adequate regular emergency power supply. Further, we
evaluated the duration of the candles as a substitute for a flashlight needed in an
emergency at shelters. The results show that a flashlight has a maximum continuous
lighting time of about 10 hours when using a size D alkaline battery, and hence, the
stockpiled candles with a total burning time of 420 hours have a duration of about 42
flashlights.
Acknowledgements
This paper was written based on the interview surveys to the officers of Kyoto city
government and two temples (Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji) in 2017.
Reference List
Michiko Hayashi, Kaori Yamazaki and Takeyuki Okubo. 2012. “The Temporary
Evacuation Shelter Management Organization at Shrines and Temples Located in
Ishinomaki, after the Great East Japan Earthquake” Journal of Disaster Mitigation
for Historical Cities, Vol. 6: 149–156.
Hiroki Tanaka, Dowon Kim, Takeyuki Okubo, Michiko Hayashi. 2015. “A Study
Disaster Prevention Utilities on Local Shrines and Temples Where Responsed for
Fire Caused by Tsunami in East Japan Earthquake” Journal of Social Safety
150
Science, no. 36.
Kyoto City Information Center “If an earthquake occurs at the Hanaore Fault”
Accessed December, 2017.
http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/gyozai/page/0000015490.html
Kyoto City Information Center “If a Nankai / Tonankai earthquake occurs” Accessed
December, 2017.
http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/gyozai/page/0000015503.html
Kyoto City Information Center “Kyoto Station Area Urban Renewal Safety Assurance
Plan (6th Edition)”
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “Food Composition
Database” Accessed December, 2017. https://fooddb.mext.go.jp/search.html
151
14.
PROACTIVE COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST GLOBAL
WARMING FOR THE CENTRAL TOWER OF BAYON TEMPLE,
ANGKOR, CAMBODIA
-How to keep the tall masonry structure by shallow direct foundation
upon manmade thick sandyfilled mound for 700 years-
Yoshinori IWASAKI
Ph.D., Dr.Eng., P.E.
Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor
Geo Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
Abstract
Japanese Government team for Safeguarding Angkor (JSA) started in 1994 and has
been studying the various aspects of heritage including soils and foundations, which
has been neglected in Angkor since the safeguarding activity started in early 20th
century.
Bayon temple was constructed in the late 12th century and locates at the center of
Angkor Thom. The Bayon temple consists of three stepped foundation mounds of the
mountain type with main tower of 42m in height from the surrounding ground.
A vertical hole at the surface of the top terrace mound was excavated in 1933 at the
center of the foundation of the main tower and resulted in finding Buddha statue. The
vertical shaft had been filled back after the study. A geotechnical boring was carried out
and the filled soil was found in very loose state. The shaft with a diameter and depth
of 2.5m and 14m each locates at the very near the foundation stones of the main tower
and the loose fill is considered to cause some negative effects, but, amazingly no
significant deformations have been recognized around the foundation of the main tower.
The foundation was identified as shallow direct stone and several borings were
carried out at the foundation mound.
The secret mechanism of the sandy foundation that has been supporting the heavy
load of stone tower is the amazing high strength of sandy filled soils with special
characters of grain size distributions. The cored sampled sandy fill was found easily
collapsed under water. Global warming is anticipated to cause heavy and long term
rainfall resulting weakening the filled foundation towards the failure of the main tower.
A proactive measure of modifying foundation soils beneath the paved stone as to have
waterproof layer is being prepared to prevent the infiltration of rainwater into the
foundation mound.
152
Keywords: Authenticity of Soil and Foundation, Global Warming, Main Tower of
Bayon, Filled Mound
1. Brief History
Angkor is the one of the world cultural heritage in Cambodia, which is the remains
of ancient Khmer Empire from the declaration of the Empire (802) to the invasion by
Siamese (1432) of 600 years in in South East Asia.
The conservation of Angkor started in 1907 by EFEO(École française d'Extrême-
Orient) of an organization of French government.
153
Archaeological trench along the base of the foundation with horizontal core-
sampling underneath the base stone, it was confirmed neither additional stones beneath
nor piles are found. The central tower is suppoted by shallow direct foundation.
The basic foundation structure of Bayon is trenched foundation with filled mound of
about 14m from the natural ground as shown in Figure-2.
SPT in the vertical shaft, SPT, N-values are less than 4, N<4, which means very loose
sand of the refilled sand. However, the original manmade fill shows extra-ordinally
large number of N=100-200.
154
Figure 3 Boring logs for the vertical shaft filled back by French and Original fill
When a core sample of the sandy fill was submerged, the stiff sandy soil was found
to collapse within around 10min as shown in Figure-4.
Several moisture sensors were installed in the platform mound and monitored the
change during rainy season. An example of the monitored records is shown in Figure 5,
which shows the response of the installed sensors to a heavy rain of squall with a total
of about 80mm. The rainwater infiltrates into ground less than a hour with an sudden
increase of the water contents in the soil. However, after the rain stop, the moisture
gradually decreases and returns to the stable state.
155
Figure 5 Moisture changes
The pattern of rainfall in the Monsoon climate of South East Asia is called "Squall",
which brings very heavy rain but continues only less than a few hours. This type of the
rainfall causes the cyclic states from wetting and drying as shown in the monitored case.
In the coming global warming period, the much longer period of rain is anticipated and
the increase of the water contents continues much longer and finally becomes nearly
saturated state of the sandy soil of the platform mound and inevitably reaches collapse
of the ground failure of the sandy soil beneath the foundation of the tower, which shall
cause the failure of the Central Tower of the temple.
Both high strength of the sandy soil of the mound in dry state and the shallow direct
foundation of the tall masonry tower are the character defining elements of the
authenticity of the stone structure in Angkor and shall be preserved.
The simplest yet the effective way is to insert an impervious layer beneath the pave
stone and the existing soil mound to prevent the rainwater infiltrating into the
foundation mound.
156
Figure 6 Countermeasures against the Global Warming
7. Conclusive Remarks
A. Foundations are not always regarded important elements of the heritage structures.
However, the foundation is one of the important elements of the structures to
support as in case of Angkor. Geotechnical engineering was the essential field to
cope with for multi-disciplinary thinking.
B. Most of the conservation work starts after the failure of the heritage structure,
however, proactive countermeasures should be prepared against the anticipated
failures by such global warming as unavoidable situation.
157
ICOMOS GA2020 - 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
I.
Selected Papers
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
158
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
1.
POST DISASTER RE-CONSTRUCTION AND AUTHENTICITY
OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND
FINLAND
Anastasia Martynova
ICOMOS National Committee in the Russian Federation, Saint-Petersburg
Abstract
Among disasters of Cultural Heritage of Russia and Finland, we first talk about fires,
caused by human errors. So, 45 historical churches burned down in Russia (from 1985
to 2019). Architectural monuments restored after a fire are single. Good examples are
theCathedral in Porvoo, and the Epiphany Church in the village of Prislonikha,
Ulyanovsk Region.
«...All this is very scary, but you need to realize and restore, in the form it was...»
Nikolay Plastov (grandson of the famous Russian artist Arkady Plastov)
159
1. Fires of Cultural Heritage, caused by human errors
Among disasters of Cultural Heritage of Russia and Finland, we first talk about fires,
caused by human errors. Our goal was to identify cases of post disaster re-construction
and authenticity of Cultural Heritage. By systematic approach, it was explored that fires
occur regularly among Built environment. So, 45 historical churches burned down in
Russia (1985 to 2019). Architectural monuments restored after a fire are single.
Good examples are the Cathedral in Porvoo, and the Epiphany Church in a birthplace
of the famous artist Arkady Plastov, in the village of Prislonikha, Ulyanovsk Region,
which burned down completely in 2016 and was restored a year later. Since 1990 the
Сhurch, built in 1878, was protected by the State (monument of regional significance).
It was built and painted by the artist's grandfather Grigory Plastov and his son. The
Сhurch was restored on donations over 15 million rubles. Large and small iconostases
were restored on money of Nikolai Plastov, Arkady's grandson, and samples of icons
were provided from collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery. Ancient icons of the
19th century were donated to the Church by one of the residents of Sursky district. The
wood of the Church was treated by fireproof compounds.
The village of Prislonikha was founded in 1672. Originally, the village was called
Bogoyavlenskoe, after the name of the first church "in the name of the Epiphany of the
Lord." The modern name of the village Prislonikha appeared at the end of the 18th
century. The fact is that the village, located at the foot of low hills (ridges), seemed as
if "leaned" against them.
At different times, the lands in Prislonikha were owned by Pyotr Vasilyevich Yazykov,
Tatyana Ivanovna Sushchova and Mikhail Petrovich Yazykov (grandfather,
grandmother and father of the poet Nikolai Mikhailovich Yazykov), as well as a brother
of the writer Sergei Timofeevich Aksakov - Arkady Timofeevich Aksakov and Pyotr
Afanasyevich Beketov (son of the Simbirsk voivode). In 1722 the landowner Alexander
Sergeevich Belavkin built a new church in the village. The Epiphany Church is located
in the middle of the village, at the intersection of the Uren River with Moscow post
road.
Since 1875, Grigory Gavrilovich Plastov, the grandfather of the famous artist Arkady
Alexandrovich Plastov, was a Psalmist at the Epiphany Church. Arkady Plastov will
write later: "In his youth, my father, Alexander Plastov, was an apprentice to his father,
my grandfather, Grigory Plastov, an icon painter and, I think, an architect."
In 1878, a new church was erected in Prislonikha to replace the old and dilapidated one.
160
Drawings the temple were made by the icon painter and architect Grigory Gavrilovich
Plastov. The Church was set up as a "ship", stretching along one axis from East to West.
The painting of the walls and iconostasis was done by Grigory Gavrilovich together
with his son Alexander.
The Church consisted of three parts - the altar, the temple itself, the refectory and the
bell tower. A log house made of century-old pines was sheathed with wood and painted
white, and the iron roof was painted green. The domes of the Temple and the bell tower
were made of white tin, and the forged crosses were gilded. Five copper bells were hung
in the belfry, the largest of which weighed 72 pounds, and its ringing could be heard for
several miles around. "
In 1893, on January 31, Arkady Alexandrovich Plastov, the future famous artist, was
born in Prislonikha. He inherited a gift in painting from his father and grandfather. The
painter spent his childhood and youth in Prislonikha; his creative path is connected with
these places. It is here, in his native village, that world-famous works were created:
"The Fascist Flew by", "Harvest", "Haymaking", "Spring".
The Epiphany Church in the village of Prislonikha was built at the end of the 19th
century (on the site of the first church), its vaults were painted by Arkady Plastov's
grandfather Grigory Gavrilovich.
Figure.1 Arkady Plastov "Thunderstorm over Prislonikha", late 1930 - early 1940
Canvas, oil. 56x73. Collection of the gallery "Art Prima"
161
Figure.2 Arkady Plastov "First Snow". 1946 Canvas, oil. 146x113. Tver Regional
Picture Gallery, Russia.
Figure.3 Arkady Plastov "Summer holiday in Prislonikha". Late 1920s - early 1930s
Album "Arkady Alexandrovich Plastov", L., "Artist of the RSFSR", 1979. Source:
ulpressa.ru 1
1
https://ulpressa.ru/2018/01/31/k-125-letiyu-brandergofer-a-a-plastov-zhivi-kak-pishesh-pishi-kak-
162
Figure.4 Arkady Plastov “Winter evening. Church in Prislonikha ". 1930s
Album "Arkady Alexandrovich Plastov", L., "Artist of the RSFSR", 1979. Source:
ulpressa.ru 1
163
fertilizers were stored in the building, dust was poured on the altar. In 1987, the head
of the Ulyanovsk regional Committee, Gennady Kolbin, decided to restore the Temple
to the 100th anniversary of Arkady Plastov. The Middle Volga branch of the
“Spetsproektrestavratsiya” Institute has developed a project for the protection of the
memorial zone in Prislonikha, which includes the artist's estate and a church with a
gatehouse. The original appearance was recreated according to the saved drawings and
projects of Grigory Plastov, as well as drawings, watercolors and paintings by Arkady
Plastov on church themes. Arkady Plastov's son, Nikolai, who became an artist,, took
an active part in recreating of the interior of the temple. Some icons were painted by
his hand. The entire iconostasis was made by hands of Nikolai Arkadievich together
with the artists A. S. Gordeev and V. K. Dmitriev. On April 1, 1995, the restored temple
was reopened. It stood for 21 years. On May 5, 2016, an 18-year-old resident of the
village (declared insane) set fire to the church, the building burned to the ground,
leaving charred logs from it. He burned down the outbuildings and then doused the
temple with gasoline. While the temple was burning, the culprit sat himself opposite
and watched. The temple burned down in just 10 minutes. Despite the work of
firefighters, not a single icon has been preserved.
A cross on the grave of Grigory Gavrilovich Plastov, who was buried behind the altar
of the church, was also preserved next to the charred logs. On the night when the fire
broke out, there was no one in the church - it opens only on weekends and holidays.
The stove in it was stoked for the last time before the fire before Easter. The 18-year-
old boy admitted that he committed arson, and when asked why, he replied: "I wanted
to see how it burns." “I have complex emotions - this can be compared either with the
destroyed Palmyra, or with the fire of 1931, when Arkady Plastov's entire legacy which
he did until the age of 37 burned down. All this is very scary, but you need to realize
and restore it, in the form as it was. All measurements, the project have been preserved,”
Nikolai Plastov said after the fire. He was one of the first to see the fire - his house is
located opposite the Temple. He ran out into the street and realized that he could not
physically do anything to help put out the fire. He "immortalized" - photographed the
burning temple, which is associated with five generations of his family. The whole
village was crying on the ashes. Local residents told about the tragedy with tears: “After
midnight, it started toburn ... As soon as we saw it, we rushed to the church. But she,
dear, is all in fire ...". While the firefighters were driving, local residents saved the
shrines. Dmitry, a resident of Prilonikha, was one of the first to notice the fiery glow
and rushed to the temple. He knocked the padlock off the church's front door with a
piece of reinforcement and burst in. Through the flames, the man saw a Shrine - the
myrrh-streaming icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Dmitry carried it out of the fire and
three other bells. In the morning of the next day, Metropolitan Anastasy of Simbirsk
164
and Novospassk, top officials of the Ulyanovsk region, visited the site of the fire. They
assured that the Temple would be restored.
“After the fire, local residents, without conspiring, came to the temple to clear the
ruins. Even summer residents who come to Prislonikha seasonally could not stay away
and joined the common cause,” says the head of the village of Prislonikha Viktor
Kovalev. The dismantling of ruins and preparations of the site for construction
continued in a month. After the fire, the restoration of the temple began almost
immediately, a special account was opened, and all the work was carried out mainly on
donations. The progress of the restoration works was controlled by the regional
governor Sergey Morozov. The artist Nikolai Plastov, grandson of Arkady Plastov, took
a direct participation in this.
Over 12 million rubles were spent on the restoration of the church. Also, the domes
cost about 3 million. The painting and interior decoration, iconostasis, Church utensils,
and so on took about 8 million rubles. Most of this was given by the Simbirsk
Metropolia. The wood of the restored church has been treated with fire-resistant
materials. The frame was made of glued beams. And this was a truly popular
construction site. In the temple of the Epiphany of the Lord, the interior decoration was
restored, the bells that survived the fire were returned. At the expense of Nikolai Plastov,
the grandson of the people's artist A.A. Plastov, the large and small iconostases were
restored, samples of icons for them were provided from the collection of the State
Tretyakov Gallery. The first icons, collected by the staff of the Ulyanovsk Regional Art
Museum throughout the region, marked the beginning of the collection of the Museum
of Simbirsk icon painters. Four ancient wooden icons of the 19th century were donated
to the temple by a resident of the Sursk region. Also, the restored icon of the Epiphany
of the Lord, lost in the fire, took its former place in the Church, the author – Alexander
Stepanovich Gordeev, an icon painter, a resident of the Sursky district presented the
icon as a gift to the newly restored Church.
Icons and church books were collected and brought from Alatyr and the Ulyanovsk
region. Works on the installation of the iconostasis brought from the capital were carried
out even at night. The icons were brought from Moscow, the artist's grandson Nikolai
Plastov installed the iconostasis.
165
Figure. 6 Church in Prislonikha before Figure. 7 Burnt church in Prislonikha,
the fire Source: simbirsk. city1
2 https://1ul.ru/city_online/obshchestvo/news/k-oktyabryu-planiruyut-zavershit-vosstanovitelnye-raboty-v-bogoyavlenskom-
4 https://misanec.ru/2018/01/14/vosstanovlennyj-hram-bogoyavleniya-gospodnya-v-sele-prisloniha-otkroetsya-31-yanvarya/
accessed 10 August.
5 https://misanec.ru/2018/01/14/vosstanovlennyj-hram-bogoyavleniya-gospodnya-v-sele-prisloniha-otkroetsya-31-yanvarya/
accessed 10 August.
166
3. The Porvoo Cathedral in Finland
The Porvoo Cathedral (12th century) is one of Finland's oldest churches. A fire of
2006 destroyed the roof of the Cathedral, remains of the burnt roof collapsed inside
damaging the interior and facade. Two years restoration unique works were about 6
million euros. Today, Cathedral is equipped with a fireproof system and security
cameras.
The church was originally made of wood. The first stone walls were built between
1410 and 1420, and in 1450 the church was expanded four meters east and six meters
south. Before the adoption of Lutheranism in the 16th century, Western Finland was
Catholic, Eastern - Orthodox. Then Catholic churches were converted into Lutheran
churches. There are many medieval churches left in the country, one of them is this
Cathedral, which acquired its current appearance at the end of the 15th century. The
Cathedral (originally a Catholic Church) was consecrated in honor of the Mother of
God - the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the destruction and fires, the Church was restored
more than once. In 1508 it was destroyed by Danish sea pirates, in 1571 and 1590 it
was burned by Russian troops. It was restored again and burned again during the Great
Northern War in 1708. In our time, in 2006, the Cathedral was set on fire by an 18-year-
old local resident, who was convicted of his crime.
For Finland, this temple has a special significance, since it was here in March 1809
that the famous session of the Sejm took place, where the Russian Emperor Alexander
I announced the annexation of Finland to Russia as an Autonomous Grand Duchy. This
date is considered the beginning of the Finnish statehood. That is why inside the Porvoo
Cathedral you can even see a sculpture of Emperor Alexander I. By the way, at the
closing of the Sejm, Alexander already spoke Finnish fluently.
In the evening of the same day, a ball was held at the gymnasium, during which the
most romantic story in the life of the city began. At this ball, Alexander met the young
daughter of the Vice-burgomaster of Porvoo, Ulrika Mellerverd, whose beauty charmed
the Tsar. During the dance with Alexander, she dropped her fan in embarrassment. The
Emperor picked it up and hid it on his chest. He returned the fan to its owner only after
the ball was over. Thus, began a brilliant romance. This story gave rise to a lot of gossip
and legends about their relationship. Alexander and Ulrika's relationship continued
when the Emperor visited Porvoo again. But even after his departure, Alexander I did
not forget Ulrika and after some time called her to the Court, appointing his wife's maid
of honor.
After restoration, the Porvoo Cathedral was re-consecrated in November 2008 and
services were restored there. It is interesting that in Porvoo, the famous Russian
Director Leonid Gaidai shot one of his last films "For the matches" (1980).
167
Figure.12 The Porvoo Cathedral Figure.13 The Porvoo Cathedral
Source: ryzhiy-lis.livejournal.com1 Source: rasfokus.ru2
Fire disaster of the cultural heritage of Russia and Finland is a link in the chain of
world losses. The causes of fires are repeated, and must be eradicated. Besides, today
there is an underestimation of the resource for the development of society, which is
enclosed in the monuments of wooden architecture. That is why, the practical
implementation of anti-crisis measures is being realized in this sphere. We live on the
same Planet and our Heritage; Culture and our Responsibility are interconnected. All
over the world people have learned how to be vigilant with the threats of terrorism, but
they have forgotten that fire is a terrible calamity. Every corner of the world has its own
burnt Notre Dame. Notre Dame showed that for high-rise buildings around the world,
autonomous fire extinguishing installations should be placed in buildings and spires.
Measures to prevent fires as a human error: 1) An open base of architectural
monuments; 2) Prohibition of a new construction instead of burnt cultural heritage
objects; 3) Responsibility for the owner’s; 4) 24-hour video systems; 5) Individual
fireproof system for each object; 6) Fireproof treatment of structures.
Reference List
Chernisheva V. All this is very scary, but you need to realize and restore, in the form it
was, 05/05/2016
https://simbirsk.city/2016/05/05/vse-eto-ochen-strashno-no -nuzhno-osoznat-i-
vosstanovit-v-tom-vide-kak-bylo /, accessed 10 August 2020.
Kozlov Yu.V., Avdonin A.M. (2013) Life and fate of Arkady Plastov
Memetova, V. Restored from the Ashes. The temple in Prislonikha will be “launched”
for the anniversary of Plastov, 10/05/2017
168
https://1ul.ru/city_online/obshchestvo/news/vosstanovlena_iz_pepla_hram_v_pris
lonihe_zapustyat_k_yubileyu_plastova/, accessed 10 August 2020.
Plastova T. Yu. (2011) Plastov
Porvoonseurakunta
https://www.porvoonseurakunta.fi/, accessed 09 August 2020
Petrov, I. Domes installed on the church in Prislonikha, 14/10/2017
https://1ul.ru/city_online/obshchestvo/news/na_hram_v_prislonihe_ustanovili_ku
pola/, accessed 10 August 2020.
Rikova, D. Epiphany Church in Prislonikha: how we remember it, 05/05/2016
https://mosaica.ru/news/2016/05/10/bogoyavlenskaya-tserkov-v-prislonikhe-
kakoi-my-ee- zapomnili # & hcq = DmoCu7shttps:
//mosaica.ru/news/2016/05/10/bogoyavlenskaya-tserkov-v-prislonikhe-kakoi-my-
ee-zapomnili#hcq=nUUmn7s, accessed 10 August 2020.
Salmin, K. By October, they plan to complete the restoration work in the Epiphany
Church in Prislonikha, 08/21/2017
https://1ul.ru/city_online/obshchestvo/news/k-oktyabryu-planiruyut-zavershit-
vosstanovitelnye-raboty-v- bogoyavlenskom-khrame-v-prislonikhe /, accessed 10
August 2020.
Salmin, K. Icons are brought to Prislonikha from all over the Ulyanovsk region,
01/15/2018
https://1ul.ru/city_online/obshchestvo/news/v_prislonihu_svozyat_ikony_so_vsey
_ulyanovskoy_oblasti/, accessed 10 August 2020.
169
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
2.
SURVIVAL FROM DISASTER: THE NATIONAL HERITAGE
NORTH GATE IN TAIPEI
CHIOU, BOR-SHUENN
Taipei National University of the Arts, Taiwan
Abstract
For the past 130 years, the National Heritage North Gate in Taipei City had survived
several crises of removal. It came to existence along with the Taipei Walled City in
1884. It has gone through three political eras: the Ching, the Japanese and the Chinese
Republican, revealing ideology of governance of poles apart. After a long period of
political and social change, it is the only remain of the original walled city.
This paper aims to elucidate how the North Gate came into being, how it was
threatened to vanish in face of several disastrously critical moments due to regime
transfer and unwise urban development, and how it survived crises as a result of
coincidence and of good luck out of the timely appeal for reservation from key figures
with a vision. On the whole, it would give a good example and shed light on the issue
of survival from disaster for a building of cultural significance.
1. Introduction
The National Heritage North Gate in Taipei came into being along with the
establishment of Taipei Walled City of Chinese Ching Dynasty in 1884 and served as
its northern entrance. Taiwan was soon ceded to Japan in 1895 for defeated
compensation after the Sino-Japanese War of the previous year. Soon after, the city wall
was disastrously removed and turned into a three-lane boulevard on the basis of the
Plan of Urban Correction of 1904 and only four of the five gates, including the North
Gate, luckily remained. After WWII, the Chinese Nationalist Government took over
170
Taiwan and in 1966 it remodeled the features of three of the four gates for tourism.
The North Gate was spared and kept its authenticity as it was then due to be removed
for traffic relief. Fortunately, it survived owing to the appeal from conservation
enthusiasts but it was then trapped in the network of automobile causeways and was
almost mistreated, though its cultural significance was recognized and it was designated
as national heritage in 1983. In 2015 the Taipei City Government promoted the Portal
Project of the Western District, which analogized the importance of the North Gate to
Taipei to that of the Arc de Triomphe to Paris. Accordingly, the North Gate was finally
released from the causeway network in February 2016 and was fully endowed with the
pride of cultural significance.
At the beginning of rule on Taiwan, the emperors of Ching China used to overlook
this frontier island as dispensable and had never thought it necessary to build any walled
city to protect governance.1 They even supposed that a walled city would run risk of
providing a firm fort for rebels and had turned down appeals from local officers and
people. For safety, local people and officers often raised fund by themselves to build
some expedient versions of fortified enclosure, made of wood, bamboo or earth. The
situation had not changed until the occurrence of Mudan Incident, 2 the Japanese
punitive expedition to Taiwan, in 1874. The Ching imperial court finally realized the
importance of building solid walled city for defense.3 In 1875 the Taipei Prefecture
was established to administer the three counties in northern Taiwan and a firm walled
city was allowed to construct to accommodate the administration. The Taipei Walled
City was started in 1882 and completed in 1884 and was one of the only few made of
brick-stone, which was more solid like a citadel and more permanent. The stone was
mostly derived from local quarry and the master craftsmen were recruited from Canton.
It was solid enclosure opened with five gates, namely the four cardinal gates together
with the Side South Gate. Although the South Gate must be the main entrance of the
walled city in accordance with the traditional south facing principle,4 the North Gate
was no less important because the senior officials from the Mainland would come from
the north by boats via the Tamsui River and land at this spot. Thus, there used to be a
pavilion for receiving officials outside the North Gate. Also, the North Gate was
enforced with an enceinte, a U-shaped outer wall. Its name Cheng-en, meaning
1Hsiao, Wen-Jie 2018 “Historical confusion about the North Gate: whose triumphal arch?”
2“The Mudan Incident”.
3Hsiao, op. cit.
4“The Taipei Walled City: the East Gate, the South Gate, the Side South Gate, and the North Gate”.
171
inheriting grace, also denoted that the governance of Taipei was connected to the
authority of the Ching Empire from the north. Because the Taipei Walled City was
located at a swamp area, its foundation was made of cross layers of stone bars piled on
horizontal log layer with vertical log stilt underneath. The lower part of the gate
building was a stone podium archway with very thick wood doors faced by iron plates.
The upper part was enclosed by double brick walls in dark red colour, of which the
inner one enclosed a room for the gate guards to stand by, and the outer one was
punched with window holes on the north and the south sides, three of them on each, for
the gate guards to watch outward. The three were one circular in the middle and two
rectangular on both sides. In between the inner and outer walls was a corridor for the
swift movement of the guards. On the east and west sides of the outer wall were arch
rectangular doors leading to the walk on the city wall, already removed. The gate was
topped by slope roofs with graceful curve ridges. So, the gate was aimed at defense
apart from circulation and looked very solid with grace of simplicity.1
The Taipei Walled City was the last one built in Taiwan. Twenty years after its
completion, Taiwan was receded to Japan as a defeated compensation for the Sino-
Japanese War, and in view of modernization the city wall was removed soon after (1904)
and would give way to the construction of three–lane boulevard and the crossing of
railway. Originally the five gates were scheduled to remove but only one of them, the
West Gate, actually disappeared in 1905. Due to regret of the loss, the rest were spared
as a result of the appeal from Japanese intellectuals, which was approved by the first
Head of Civilian Affairs of Taiwan Gotō Shinpei (1857-1929). Some sources tell that
the intellectuals were headed by Yamanaka Kikori (1882-1947), Librarian of the
Governor-General Office 1927-1945. In fact, Yamanaka arrived in Taiwan in 1927,
more than 20 years after the four gates were saved. The gates were even designated as
historic monuments in 1935 according to the recently ratified Conservation Act for
Historical Sites, Places of Interest and Natural Monuments2, and Yamanaka probably
had involved in it. It was admirable that the colonizers were willing to acknowledge the
cultural significance of the establishment by the colonized and spare its demolition.
Such an egalitarian vision without racial bias was remarkable. Therefore, the four gates
were almost left intact during Japanese rule, though not much conservation seemed to
have been done for them.
1“A report of history: the North Gate—Tour to the heritage buildings in Taipei”.
2“The North Gate of the Taipei Walled City”; “The Conservation Act for Historic Sites, Places of
Interest and Natural Monuments”.
172
The Japanese colonization was over after WWII and the four gates were then in the
hand of Chinese Republican government.
The Taipei Walled City was constructed in the style of southern China. Under the
scheme of city embellishment, three of the four gates were remodeled in the palace style
of the Northern China in 1966 to improve the city scape of Taipei mainly for the
promotion of tourism. (Figure.1) The palace style was considered more prestigious and
noble and reflected the authority of the central governance of the Republican Chinese.
The North Gate luckily remained its original features by coincidence. At that time, an
elevated road, called the Chunghsiao Bridge Causeway, was planned, though actually
built in 1982. It was to release the heavy traffic jam at the railway level crossing before
the train went underground, but would cross exactly where the North Gate stands. So,
the North Gate was left not to remodel because it was scheduled to demolish for the
causeway. After the appeal for remain by conservation enthusiastic scholars and citizens,
the causeway was shifted to spare the gate. Despite the survival, the gate was trapped
in a three-dimensional traffic network and the nearest distance between the gate and the
causeway was just 60 cm.
Figure.1 The East Gate was remodeled in Chinese palace style in 1960s. (The author took in 2011)
Figure.2 The North Gate and the causeway have co-existed for 34 years. (The author took in 2011)
173
Since then, the gate and the causeway have co-existed for 34 years. (Figure.2)
Besides, the gate was often mistreated and its wall was covered with poster or painted
randomly. Although the gate was designated as a first class (national) historic
monument in 1983, the embarrassing situation continued.
It was not until 2016 when one of the urban renewals plans of Taipei City, the Portal
Project of the Western District,1 was put into practice that the North Gate got the chance
to resume its free standing. The causeway, more than 750 meters long, was finally
removed within seven days in the lunar new year season of 2016. The gate was carefully
shielded to prevent from damage caused by the removal work. The railway went
underground long before this time and the elevated road had turned to be dispensable
by then. For this time, the North Gate was ultimately released from a three-dimensional
traffic jungle. Even more, its importance was expected to be equivalent to the Arc de
Triomphe of Paris. Following the realization of the Portal Project of the Western District,
it was located at the core of an irregular plaza enclosed by traffic roads, officially named
the North Gate Plaza.
Figure.3 The North Gate Plaza on the foreground, with the demonstration of stone bars piled for
the wall foundation on the left. Still more need to sort out the surroundings. (The author took in 2020)
The plaza was installed with intellectual attractions associated with the gate, which
mainly narrated the history of the Taipei Walled City and the North Gate, illustrated
with carved words and pictures. Also, the location of the removed city wall and the
Western Trunk Line Rail were revealed on the pavement, the construction of the stone
174
foundation of the city wall was exemplified with real fabric of stone bars, the street
trees commonly adopted in Ching period (Camphor tree and Liquidambar formosana)
and in Japanese era (Bischofia javanica) as well as tea flower (Jasminum grandiflorum)
were planted along the walk to remind the visitors of the scenes in the past.1 Beyond
the enclosed roads, the plaza was overlooked by or was easily accessible to several
important heritage buildings, including Taipei Post Office (1930), Taipei Railway
Workshop of National Taiwan Museum (1919), a Western house on the Futai Street
(1910), and a Mitsuibussan barn (ca.1914) nearby. (Figure.3) The Portal Project of the
Western District aimed to reorganize the ground road system around the Taipei Main
Station, which combines the Taiwan Rail, the Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taipei Mass
Rapid Transit (MRT), Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT, city and intercity
buses. It would also integrate high rise commercial towers with heritage buildings. For
this area, the North Gate would serve as a new landmark. Thus, it would not only regain
its past glory, but also play new roles which establish a new front door for Taipei and
will lead the city to head toward the future.
For the past 130 years, the North Gate had survived several crises of removal. It came
to existence along with the Taipei Walled City. It has gone through three political eras:
the Ching, the Japanese and the Chinese Republican, revealing ideology of governance
of poles apart. After long period of political and social change, it is the only original
remain, as a result of coincidence and good luck. Apart from historicity and rarity, its
beauty of simplicity and solidity has also enhanced its cultural significance, which
grows along with the progress of conservation awareness of people in Taiwan, almost
in response to world heritage trends. It was designated as a singular heritage building
in 1935 (Japanese era) and 1983. Not until 2015 in the Portal Project in the Western
District was it praised, evaluated and treated as heritage in an urban context. Never than
before did it attract so much attention. Originally it was just a fortified city entrance
from the north, at this time it was a focus point on the plaza. Much has been done on
the plaza around the gate with installments to tell its history. Still more need to regulate
the features of current and future adjacent buildings to make the whole area a
harmonious urban coherence. The North Gate was first saved by the Japanese and in
1The Garden and Street Light Management Office, “The future landscape of the North Gate Plaza: to
review the history of Taipei Walled City and to remake the glory of the North Gate as a new
landmark for Taipei”; Hsu,Yu-Chien 2019 “Revitalization of historical buildings—planning of
the North Gate Square”.
175
return, all the heritage buildings around the gate were built in Japanese era and were
saved and conserved by the Republican Chinese government and people after WWII
despite the hostility between both sides during the war. The good will to care about
heritage was beyond race and nationality. Besides, it is disputable to equate the North
Gate with the Arc de Triomphe of Paris.1 The North Gate was just a city wall gate, not
a triumphal arch, like the one in Paris, which was a victorious memorial of war. Also
the North Gate plaza is not exactly a circle. However, the Arc de Triomphe of Paris was
purpose-built, and would always be there with good care. Instead, the North Gate was
always threatened since it was 20-year olds and its survival was more valuable and
meaningful.
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https://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/~b90007/taipei_history/northdoor/northdoor.htm
accessed August 26, 2020.
“Ahead of schedule for removing the bridge: open to traffic on 13rd February. What’s
the difference after the shield for the North Gate is dismantled? (in Chinese)”, The
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https://www.thenewslens.com/article/36109 accessed August 26, 2020.
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(in Chinese), Wikiwand
https://www.wikiwand.com/zhhk/%E5%8F%B2%E8%B9%9F%E5%90%8D%E5
%8B%9D%E5%A4%A9%E7%84%B6%E7%B4%80%E5%BF%B5%E7%89%A
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Plaza: to review the history of Taipei Walled City and to remake the glory of the North
Gate as a new landmark for Taipei” (in Chinese), Taipei City Government News
https://www.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=F0DDAF49B89E9413&sms=7254
4237BBE4C5F6&s=455262E705855E96 accessed August 26, 2020.
Hsiao, Wen-Jie 2018 “Historical confusion about the North Gate: whose triumphal
arch?”(in Chinese) Voices of Readers, United Daily News
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Hsu,Yu-Chien 2019 “Revitalization of historical buildings—planning of the North
Gate Square”(in Chinese), Taiwan Architect, No.548 August 2020
http://www.twarchitect.org.tw/special/%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%97%E3%80%8C
%E5%8C%97%E9%96%80%E6%99%AF%E8%A7%80%E5%BB%A3%E5%A
176
0%B4%E3%80%8D%E6%AD%B7%E5%8F%B2%E7%A9%BA%E9%96%93%
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Kikori, Librarian of the Taiwan Governor-General Office” (in Chinese) Marine Blogs
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“The Mudan Incident” (in Chinese) Wikipedia
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BA%8B%E4%BB%B6 accessed August 26, 2020.
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177
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
3.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MANAGING HERITAGE PROCESSES
IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Cornelius Holtorf
UNESCO Chair on Heritage Futures, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Linnaeus
University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
Abstract
In this theoretical paper, I argue that risk management strategies should give more
attention to managing processes and practices of heritage. Cultural heritage is beneficial
in society for the many valuable processes it is linked to. It is a set of particular cultural
processes and practices through which people engage with society. It can bring people
together, make them engage with each other and their values, stimulate learning,
enhance well-being, generate meaning, create employment, etc. But cultural heritage
also bears risks and can have negative impacts, for example when it divides
communities, advances hate and prejudice, discourages innovation and prevents
development. Risk management needs to address the risks that might compromise the
benefits of what heritage does in society. For example, disruption caused by crises due
to conflicts or disasters may stop or interrupt heritage processes and practices. An
important task of managing heritage in the aftermath of crises is the challenge of
recreating or indeed bringing about heritage processes and practices that promise to
benefit the living and their descendants while preventing harm. I argue therefore that
risk management strategies should invest more attention to managing processes and
practices of heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. Managing
heritage processes in times of crisis requires us to embrace change and transformation.
178
1. Introduction
In this theoretical paper, I argue that risk management strategies should give more
attention to managing processes and practices of cultural heritage. Much current
attention is devoted to protecting heritage by reducing the risk of loss and damage and
in that way to safeguard its preservation (e.g. Jigyasu 2013). However, it is widely
recognised that the significance of cultural heritage in society does not lie in its tangible
fabric but in the benefits and uses of heritage. In other words, the value of cultural
heritage is closely connected with what it does in society, and heritage is a verb. Risk
management needs to address the risks that might compromise the benefits of what
heritage does in society.
Evoking the past, heritage can be described as a set of particular cultural processes
and practices through which people engage with present-day society and negotiate its
future, e.g. in terms of continuity or change. In taking this view, I follow Tolina
Loulanski’s (2006) functional approach to heritage and Laurajane Smith’s (2006)
account of uses of the past. Smith calls for discussing “heritage not so much as a ‘thing’,
but as a cultural and social process, which engages with acts of remembering that work
to create ways to understand and engage with the present” (2006: 2). Cultural heritage
is thus beneficial (or indeed harmful) in relation to the many valuable practices and
processes it is linked to. To complicate matters, it is well understood that the values and
uses of cultural heritage are not inherent and timeless but change over time according
to their social and cultural context.
Heritage can bring people together, make them engage with each other and their
values, enhance well-being and generate meaning, foster global collaboration, and
increase cultural resilience. Cultural heritage may be used in society to advance social
integration, promote lifelong learning, create employment and contribute to sustainable
development. But cultural heritage also bears risks and can have negative impacts, for
example when it divides communities, advances hate and prejudice, discourages
innovation and prevents development. Some uses of the past, e.g. by state authorities
and elites drawing on cultural heritage, are problematic insofar as they challenge or
marginalise values and identities of marginal or subaltern groups in society. Heritage
may be (and has been) used to advance illegitimate discrimination, social exclusion,
racism, and divisive political ideologies. Whether positive or negative, the impact of
cultural heritage is intimately connected not only with what the heritage represents in
relation to the past and who we are as descendants of past generations but also with
what it does in the present and who we want ourselves and our descendants to become
179
(Smith 2006, Harrison 2013, Kisić 2020).
Risk management is about the risk that positive values and uses of cultural heritage
are prevented or negative ones are advanced, in each case in relation to a particular
social and cultural context. For example, disruption caused by crises due to conflicts or
disasters may stop or interrupt heritage processes and practices. An important task of
managing heritage in the aftermath of crises is thus the challenge of recreating or indeed
bringing about heritage processes and practices that promise to benefit the living and
their descendants while preventing harm. I argue therefore that risk management
strategies should invest more attention to managing processes and practices of heritage
for the benefit of present and future generations. Managing heritage processes in times
of crisis requires us to move beyond sentimentality about loss and embrace change and
transformation (Holtorf 2015, 2018). This requires a development of current
approaches.
Heritage loss has most often been discussed in the context of the preservation
paradigm of heritage theory, both in the media and among experts. This perspective
holds that the heritage sector has a duty to preserve the most valuable parts of the
existing cultural heritage because it is an inherently valuable and timeless asset that is
not only authentic in its core but also non-renewable, and must, therefore, be
safeguarded for the benefit of future generations. The maintenance of the status quo of
cultural heritage is widely perceived as being superior to any loss or possible
substitution of that cultural heritage (Jigyasu 2013; cf. Holtorf 2015). This is reflected
in much of the existing policy of cultural heritage conservation which was created after
World War II and is dominated by a concern with preservation of original fabric (e.g.
1964 Venice Charter) and sustaining global conservation for as long as possible (e.g.
1972 World Heritage Convention).
The ultimate aim of the preservation paradigm was to safeguard the cultural heritage
of human cultures and thus be able to promote understanding between different people
– thereby advancing global peace und intercultural understanding. This has resulted,
among others, in a restrictive attitude towards reconstruction where original fabric
carries particular weight and the symbolic value of heritage is paramount (Kisić 2020).
But a focus on the merits of preservation alone is too narrow as a credible response to
situations of heritage destruction, failing to consider adequately the consequences for
the people for whom the heritage is being preserved.
180
4. Cultural heritage is changing
Today, the societal functions of heritage are becoming ever more prominent.
Currently, we have 1121 World Heritage Sites, a wide range of legislation and policy
for the protection of cultural heritage, and numerous collections of cultural heritage all
over the world. Never has cultural heritage been more significant – and better protected
– than in the present. But a number of specific challenges have been emerging in
connection with a number of global crises that pose pertinent questions precisely on
what heritage does in society.
As a professional sector, the community of global heritage experts represented in
organizations like ICOMOS needs to find adequate responses to abounding calls,
among others, to repatriate movable heritage in the context of decolonization (e.g. in
sub-Saharan Africa), to disconnect monuments from racist ideologies promoting white
supremacy (e.g. in the US), to remove heritage as a target of deliberate destruction in
ongoing conflicts (e.g. in Western Asia), and to mitigate the various impacts of climate
change globally. It is no longer sufficient to worry about protecting cultural heritage as
such, by reducing the risk of loss and damage, and in that way to safeguard its
preservation – as if the current challenges could be adequately addressed by the
existence of cultural heritage in the future when in fact we need to address first and
foremost the impact of cultural heritage on the people for whom it is preserved.
The risks associated with heritage destruction and loss have often been overstated.
In fact, compromised preservation of cultural heritage may not always be a large
problem for preserving many of the benefits of cultural heritage in present and future
societies. I argued elsewhere that less preservation in the present can nevertheless mean
more memory of the past and benefits of heritage in the future (Holtorf 2015). The
reason for this claim is twofold. On the one hand, lost heritage may be substituted by
gained heritage providing the same (or possibly even larger) benefits in society. As the
global history and development of the appreciation, use and management of cultural
heritage over the past few centuries demonstrates, the portfolio of valued cultural
heritage and the benefits it provides are in fact not a very scarce resource but constantly
expanding and transforming. For example, in recent decades in the cultural heritage
sector we have not only seen a growing appreciation of cultural landscapes, both in
urban and rural areas, but also the emergence of digital heritage and vastly increased
accessibility of genetic heritage. These are all new types of heritage used in society
providing a range of possible new benefits but of course also associated new challenges.
On the other hand, the benefits and uses of specific cultural heritage objects may not
be lost even if it is no longer physically existent in the same way as previously. As the
cultural heritage associated with the origins of the human species aptly demonstrates,
the potency of cultural heritage in society is not directly linked to its quantity, size or
181
cogency of associated evidence. Few things can fascinate people, mobilise engagement
and generate interest in the past with real impact in society (for better or worse) as much
as a single tooth fragment from the oldest Palaeolithic, an inconclusive claim about
distant genetic ancestry, or a vague trait of human behaviour connecting modern
humans consuming social media with remote ancestors struggling for survival.
In recent years, the reconstruction of built heritage that has been damaged or lost due
to conflicts or disasters has attracted new interest in international heritage management
(e.g. ICOMOS 2017). In the light of my present argument, any reconstruction of
heritage is best seen not primarily as being about restoring or rebuilding damaged or
destroyed physical structures but about rekindling or recreating compromised cultural
processes and practices linked to these sites. In some cases, the regular process of
restoring and rebuilding built structures may as such be considered as a valued heritage
process and cultural practice, as e.g. in South and Southeast Asia where wooden temples
and shrines are replaced in regular intervals (Wijesuriya 2001).
Recent topical discussions have rightly taken a larger view, focusing on the overall
societal impact of various possible strategies for responding to heritage damage and
loss. Attention is increasingly given not only to the fabric of monuments but also to
societal functions of heritage (Kono 2019, Holtorf 2020, Holtorf forthcoming). The
2018 Warsaw Recommendation on Recovery and Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage
states accordingly that in post-trauma situations, “the overall goal is the recovery of the
society”.
The preservation of tangible cultural heritage covers only a small section of the
multiple ways in which the past is evoked and gains significance in contemporary
societies (Holtorf 2012, Holtorf and Fairclough 2013). There are many possible
strategies and approaches to be taken in relation to the past and cultural heritage in
society, involving for example storytelling (various media and genres), carrying out
shared traditions, celebrating religious services, staging site-specific performances and
other art projects, creating digital reconstructions and augmented realities, realizing
physical recreation, practicing role-play and living history, and designing historicizing
or inspired new architecture. All these various practices, among many others, are
options of rehabilitation of cultural heritage even in cases of heavy physical destruction
(see Holtorf forthcoming for a case-study).
It seems obvious but is worth restating that in the cultural heritage sector (as
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elsewhere) we have to consider the expected benefits and possible risks for future
generations of any actions we take in the present, including the physical reconstruction
of cultural heritage. But in fact, not many in the heritage sector concern themselves
with the future in any systematic way (Högberg et al. 2017). The aspiration to transmit
cultural heritage as a human legacy to future generations is often treated as entirely
unproblematic, universally beneficial and to be generally acclaimed. A lack of concern
with developments and changes over time and with the implications of anticipated
human needs in future societies is prevalent, even though the future motivates
conservation in the first place.
A potentially different use and function of cultural heritage in future societies,
compared with the present, has hardly ever been considered. The UNESCO Declaration
on the Responsibilities of the Present Generations Towards Future Generations (1997)
is little known in the cultural heritage sector, even within UNESCO, but significant
insofar as it explicitly recognises the importance of protecting the needs and interests
of future generations. The possible significance of appropriate uses of heritage to
respond to the Declaration’s concern for “the fate of future generations in the face of
the vital challenges of the next millennium” has, to my knowledge, never been
comprehensively investigated to date. This is possibly changing, as UNESCO’s World
Heritage and Sustainable Development Policy (2015) calls for more attention to such
issues (Logan and Larsen 2018). It is however not clear yet how exactly the
implementation of this policy will lead to informed future thinking in heritage
management and what that may mean in practice, for example for the issue of
reconstruction (Holtorf and Högberg forthcoming).
7. Conclusions
There is an increasingly apparent need for global heritage policy and planning to
integrate socio-cultural dimensions into future strategies of risk management of
heritage. In particular, ICOMOS and other heritage organizations need to increase
capacity to address the question how the processes and practices of cultural heritage in
society can be governed in times of crisis, reducing emerging risks that could
compromise the benefits of what heritage does and could do in present and future
societies. The cultural heritage sector needs something very different from preserving
cultural heritage by safeguarding its assumed inherent and timeless cultural values. A
focus on the function of heritage and the uses of the past, as well as their mutability
over time, requires to incorporate into policy and practice of heritage management an
awareness of the various possibilities and indeed the many opportunities, provided by
multiple forms of heritage practices and processes in present and future societies.
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Acknowledgments
This text contains some ideas related to a project application jointly prepared with
Annalisa Bolin, Neel Kamal Chapagain, Cut Dewi, Toshiyuki Kono, and Qingkai Ma.
I am grateful for comments on a penultimate draft by Annalisa Bolin.
Reference List
Harrison, Rodney. 2013. Heritage. Critical Approaches. London and New York:
Routledge.
Högberg, Anders, Cornelius Holtorf, Sarah May and Gustav Wollentz. 2017. “No
future in archaeological heritage management?” World Archaeology 49, no. 5:
639-47.
Holtorf, Cornelius. 2012. Search the Past – Find the Present. Qualities of
Archaeology and Heritage in Contemporary Society. Oxford: Archaeopress.
Holtorf, Cornelius. 2015. “Averting Loss Aversion in Cultural
Heritage.” International Journal of Heritage Studies 21, no. 4: 405-21.
Holtorf, Cornelius. 2018. “Embracing Change: how cultural resilience is increased
through cultural heritage.” World Archaeology 50, no. 4.: 639-50.
Holtorf, Cornelius, ed. 2020 Special issue on Authenticity and Reconstruction.
International Journal of Cultural Property, forthcoming.
Holtorf, Cornelius. Forthcoming. “Destruction and Reconstruction of Cultural
Heritage as Future-Making.” In: M. Nagaoka (ed.) The Future of the Bamiyan
Buddha Statues – Heritage Reconstruction in Theory and Practice. New York:
Springer.
Holtorf, Cornelius and Graham Fairclough. 2013. “The New Heritage and re-shapings
of the past.” In: A. González-Ruibal, ed. Reclaiming Archaeology. Beyond the
Tropes of Modernity: 197-210. London and New York: Routledge.
Holtorf, Cornelius and Anders Högberg, forthcoming. “Introduction: Cultural
Heritage as a Futuristic Field.” In: Holtorf and Högberg, eds. Cultural Heritage
and the Future. London and New York: Routledge.
ICOMOS. 2017. ICOMOS Guidance on Post Trauma Recovery and Reconstruction
for World Heritage Cultural Properties. Paris: ICOMOS.
https://openarchive.icomos.org/1763/. Accessed 4 Aug 2020.
Jigyasu, Rohit. 2013. Heritage and Resilience: Issues and Opportunities for Reducing
Disaster Risks. 60pp.
https://whc.unesco.org/document/122923. Accessed 4 Aug 2020.
Kisić, Višnja. 2020. “Reconciliation Through Cultural Heritage in the Post-Yugoslav
Space.” In: S. Labadi, ed. The Cultural Turn in International Aid: 173-91. London
184
and New York: Routledge.
Kono, Toshiyuki. 2019. “Destruction of Cultural Heritage and Recovery: The World
Heritage, Authenticity and ‘Process –Thinking’.” The Japanese Yearbook of
International Law 62: 6-23.
Logan, William and Peter Bille Larsen 2018. “Policy-making at the World Heritage-
sustainable development interface.” In: Larsen and Logan, eds. World Heritage
and Sustainable Development. New Directions in World Heritage Management: 3-
20. London and New York: Routledge
Loulanski, Tolina. 2006. “Revising the Concept for Cultural Heritage: The Argument
for a Functional Approach.” International Journal of Cultural Property 13: 207-
33.
Smith, Laurajane. 2006. Uses of Heritage. London and New York: Routledge.
UNESCO. 1997. Declaration on the Responsibilities of the Present Generations
Towards Future Generations. Paris: UNESCO General Conference.
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-
URL_ID=13178&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html. Accessed
6 Aug 2020.
UNESCO. 2015. World Heritage and Sustainable Development Policy. Paris.
UNESCO
https://whc.unesco.org/document/139747. Accessed 6 Aug 2020.
Wijesuriya, Gamini. 2001. ‘Pious vandals’: restoration or destruction in Sri Lanka?
In: R. Layton, P. Stone, J. Thomas (eds) Destruction and Conservation of Cultural
Property, pp. 256-263. London and New York: Routledge.
185
4.
RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY IN
THE VILLAGE OF BELINITSYNO, KHAROVSKY DISTRICT,
VOLOGDA PROVINCE
Professor I. K. Beloyarskaya
Vologda state University, Professor of the Department of Architecture and urban
planning, state expert, candidate of architecture, Professor, Vologda, Russia
Abstract
During natural disasters and catastrophes, the most vulnerable part of the cultural
heritage is architectural monuments – objects of immovable cultural heritage. Changes
in the appearance of the monument due to destruction are not always the result of man-
made and natural disasters, often it is the activity of people. Regardless of the reason
for such activity and the type (conscious and unconscious), unique examples of
historical heritage disappear on the scale of universal culture.
At the beginning of the XX century, Russia was a prosperous country with a strong
agriculture, an actively developing industry, and a well-established culture that
represents a significant part of the world's heritage. Russia was a country in General,
with an Orthodox culture. The revolution of 1917 made significant changes in the
direction of development of the newly created state, in which everything new, advanced,
had to be built on the "wreckage of the old world". In the new socialist state, a huge
number of churches were destroyed for ideological reasons, both in cities and in rural
areas. The process of destruction of monuments that are not protected by special
measures is inevitable.
Currently, most of the monuments that are located on the territory of developing
cities or settlements located close to them are being restored. Very rarely pay attention
to the destroyed temples, which are located in the rural hinterland. They are restored
thanks to the efforts of parishioners and concerned sponsors.
The purpose of the research is to determine the historical and artistic value of the
object and justify its restoration. The research method consists in the collection and
analysis of historical and bibliographic sources, field surveys of the object,
systematization and study of analogues. The result of the study was a restoration project,
on the basis of which work is underway to restore the Church of the Holy Trinity. Thus,
by restoring one architectural monument, we solve one of the most important problems
of society-the preservation of the country's cultural heritage, which is important not
186
only for people living in the modern world, but also for future generations.
1. Introduction
Vologda region is part of a huge territory called the "Russian North". This region,
where for many centuries a special original culture was created, which has many
differences from the regions of the middle zone and southern territories of Russia, but,
at the same time, is an integral part of it. Free people lived on these resource-rich lands.
Until the middle of the XX century, the main building material in the Russian North
was wood. At the end of the XIX century in Russia, most of the population was rural.
A huge number of villages and villages were in the Vologda province. By the end of the
XIX century, almost all rural localities had schools and libraries, which were mostly
opened on the initiative of priests at rural churches. There was a special attitude to the
Church in rural areas. The Church was a spiritual, cultural and social center for the
village. These structures were built with the money of parishioners and donations, and
later diocesan funds were allocated. But they started construction, planned the volume
of churches, paid for the services of architects and artists, mostly local residents. In the
rich Northern villages and cities, temples of considerable size and unique architecture
were built. Customers, local residents, did not spare money for temples. After the
revolution of 1917, the new government paid special attention to the destruction of
churches for ideological reasons (in the context of the struggle against religion). Many
churches were destroyed, many adapted to new functions that contributed to the rapid
destruction of buildings.
2. Trinity Church
Trinity Church in the village Belenzinho is Karovska area and is located on the
hillside between the village and the village Belenzinho of Sogorki on the banks of the
river Kubani and flowing into it of the river Volosami. The temple stands by the road
Kharovsk-Syamzha.
The cold Church was located on the upper floor, built and consecrated in 1842, and
the warm Church on the lower floor was consecrated in 1847. From the clerical records,
it is known that the two-story Church with one head, and the completion of the bell
tower in the form of a spire (GAVO. ,2). The bell tower was built later in 1867. Later it
was redone, and the second consecration took place in 1875. In the cold Church, the
throne is one in the name of the life-giving Trinity, and in the warm one, too, in the
name of Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra. The territory of the Church's land was
187
36 tithes, 2 tithes were allocated for vegetable gardens and farm buildings, and 10 tithes
were allocated for arable land (GAVO. ,1). The warm Church was also consecrated
twice: in 1879 and 1893. There was a cemetery on the territory of the Church. In the
30s of the XX century, the Church was closed, the bell tower was dismantled for the
use of bricks for household needs. The completion of the Church was also destroyed.
In the 40s of the XX century, the Church building was equipped with a brewery. In the
60s, the building housed a bakery, which functioned almost until the end of the XX
century. After the bakery closed, the building was not used and was gradually destroyed.
Since 2016, scientific research of the Church of the life-giving Trinity began, on the
basis of which a restoration project was carried out. Currently, the Church is undergoing
restoration work under the supervision of the author and scientific Director of the
project, Professor Irina Konstantinovna Beloyarskaya.
Figure. 1Trinity Church in the village Belyanitsyno. 2016. Photo of the author.
In the summer of 2016, measurements were carried out, on the basis of which
measurement drawings were made, with the execution of drawings of plans, facades,
sections, architectural details, profile templates, and defective statements. Then detailed
photographic images, probing and pits.
Due to the small amount of information about the object of research, considerable
work was carried out with analogues of the object of research. Trinity life-giving in der.
Shadrino (Sokolsky district), the intercession of the most Holy Virgin in the village of
Zamoshye (Sokolsky district), Elijah's Church in the village of Popovka (Kharovsky
district), the Church of Nicholas the Wonderworker (Kharovsky district), etc.
3. Conclusion
Currently, the architectural monument of the Trinity Church is being actively restored
on the money of a resident of the city of Kharovsk. The Church is located within
walking distance from the city of Kharovsk in the village of Belyanitsyno. The Church
has a parish, which means there is a prospect of use and development. But a small
number of so-called "rural churches"have such a prospect.
Figure.2 Trinity Church in the village Belyanitsyno. 2019. Photo of the author.
Churches located in rural settlements where there is still "life": schools, kindergartens,
production, are beginning to be restored by the population. Funds are collected,
benefactors are located, and state grants are allocated. However, the continuing outflow
of population from rural areas forces us to think about the future of these buildings.
Undoubtedly the need to save temples, no doubt the temples should be restored, but we
must now think on what means they will be in the near and distant future. We need to
start solving this problem now through the joint efforts of scientists and specialists of
various professions.
Reference list
GAVO. F. 496. Op. 4. D. 455. L. 420-423.
GAVO. F. 496. Op. 4. D. 515. L. 855-866.
GAVO. F. 496. Op. 4. D. 499. L. 531-540
Kirichenko E. I. / Russian architecture of the 1830-1910s / E. I. Kirichenko. -
Moscow: Iskusstvo, 1978. - 380s.
Pilyavskiy V. I. History of Russian architecture / pilyavskiy V. I., A. A. Tietz, Y. S.
Ushakov. Textbook for universities. - M.: Architecture-S, 2003. -512 p.
Note: GAVO is the State archive of the Vologda region.
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ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
5.
BETWEEN TWO DISASTERS: WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Stephen J. Kelley
FAIA, SE, FUSICOMOS,
Architect and Structural Engineer, Secretary-General of ISCARSAH
Abstract
The response to and preparation for disaster is presented from the North American
viewpoint. A general philosophy the built heritage is transitory and the landscape upon
which it exists is constantly changing is presented. Hazards encountered in North
America and vulnerabilities, some of which are unique to the US are presented. A
discussion on risk reduction based on the mitigation vulnerabilities as discussed. The
technical approach to diagnosing building problems during times of great trauma such
as following a disaster is discussed at length with recommendations for team makeup,
dangers in the field, and the advantages and pitfalls of using standardized rapid
assessment approaches. Finally, a chronological roadmap is presented in response to
the disaster risk management cycle.
192
1. Introduction
1 The term hurricane is a term specific to the Atlantic Ocean. The term typhoon or cyclone is specific to the Asia
Pacific region. However, they are indeed the same thing.
2
193
I am reminded of the words of Sir Bernard Fielden: “Of the causes of decay in an
historic building, the most uniform and universal is gravity, followed by the actions of
man and then by diverse climatic and environmental factors1 …” What we learn from
years of experience is that the actions of humans to create built heritage is a fight against
the forces of gravity. All monuments will eventually fall down, and our interventions are
designed to keep them from doing so.
Another lesson, particularly when we study global climate change, is that built
heritage is a static element placed in a dynamic landscape. Rivers change paths,
floods leave deposits, land can move and erode away, coast lines and coastal islands
move, that which is frozen will thaw, and the ocean levels are presently rising. These
landscape changes are driven by the forces of wind, water, earth and fire, and none of
these forces are new. Yet our built heritage is unchanging.
Therefore, our reactions should strive towards resilience. Resilience is toughness; the
capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. As a Filipino colleague once told me we
must “be like the bamboo” that lays flat in the strongest of winds, loses most of its
leaves but then pops back up after the storm and continues to grow. Filipinos understand
this concept living in the “ring of fire” where they are often subjected to typhoons,
earthquakes, and volcanoes.
2. Hazards
2.1 Earthquakes
Due to our understanding of tectonic plates, plate movement, and real-time collection
of seismological events worldwide, we have an idea of where earthquakes might occur,
but at the present time we have little or no warning as to when they might occur and
how much force they will release.
1 Feiden, B. M., Conservation of Historic Buildings, St. Edmundsbury Press: Suffolk, UK (1996), p. 2.
194
with easy access to satellite-based radar allows us to study the movement of hurricanes,
but their potential paths are based on climate models and are not always accurate. We
know when tornadoes might occur but cannot predict when they will emerge from a
cumulous cloud, their path or how big and destructive they will be.
2.3 Floods
We know where they will occur and when, and therefore we generally have warning
prior to flooding event. However, flooding events along with the rise of sea levels have
become a dynamic element in these times of global climate change and have left built
heritage vulnerable.
2.4 Fires
This is the hazard that should be the easiest to predict and therefore mitigate. Still
fires can happen almost anywhere and with no warning. The continuing struggle with
fire and built heritage reveals that we still have a way to go to harness this hazard.
Most disasters are multi hazard, and the best example in the United States is the San
Francisco earthquake of 1906 which left that city vulnerable to fire which consequently
cause more damage than the earthquake itself. Contemporary examples would include
the Red River flooding of 1997 which incapacitated the firefighters of Grand Forks
North Dakota as the historic downtown burned to a shell. A similar event occurred
during the 2013 Storm Sandy which swept through New York City. Several square
blocks of the Far Rockaways burned to the ground.
3. Vulnerability
195
in structures subjected to a trauma such as a seismic event will often reveal themselves
as the inception point of collapse.
196
Figure 2 – Historic cottage in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
Like an almost drowned human, the heritage structure regurgitates contemporary
materials – drywall, carpeting, particle board and insulation – leaving the original
wood plank floors and wood slat walls and ceilings in place and reusable.
4. Risk
Risk is the choice that is made for potential loss to a community due to a future
1 Blanket of Mold Threatens Health and Homes by Timothy Williams, New York Times, October 2, 2005.
197
hazard event. Approaches to mitigating risk can be summarized in the following ways:
1 Eling, M; R. Klein and J. Schmit; Insurance Regulation in the United States and the European Union, November
2009, p. 4
198
Figure 3 – Venn diagram illustrating how the terms hazard, vulnerability and risk
connect.
The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) cycle is well understood. Barbara Mínguez
has presented1 how the DRM cycle could conceivably flatten in the future as we perfect
our mitigation and preparedness procedures leading up to a disaster.
5. Heritage Resources
The third circle in the Figure 3 venn diagram is the heritage resource. Understanding
a heritage resource is a multi-disciplinary pursuit. Trained architects, engineers and
scientists, such as those within the membership of ISCARSAH are well-versed in
diagnosing building issues. Conservators, historians, curators, politicians and
stakeholders should also be involved. It is best that the technical composition of
immovable heritage be well documented prior to a disaster, and the approaches and
techniques are described in the ISCARSAH Principles to achieve this understanding.
However, after a disaster, time for purposeful reflection is lost.
Technical criteria that need to be understood are building materials; building systems;
building typologies; geography, geotechnical conditions, and climate. Contextual study
of entire neighborhoods may need to be carried out on an informal basis during rapid
assessment along with the study of local capacity to react and rebuild.
Finally, culture – the way of life with him of groups of people in the way they do
things – becomes a framework within which a rapid assessment team would operate.
All these criteria were studied prior to the World Monuments Fund/ICOMOS rapid
assessment team prior to arrival in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in April 2010.2
6. Rapid Assessment
1 Crisis Response and Preparedness Workshop, World Monuments Fund, 21-22 May 2019, New York, USA.
2 Preserving Haiti’s Gingerbread Houses, 2010 Earthquake Mission Report, p. 16-37
199
Rapid assessment of entire communities following disaster is a key to recovery. It is
important to point out that the approach to rapid assessment to hundreds of structures
under pressure is much different than assessing a single structure for a well thought out
treatment - be it conservation, repair, rehabilitation or restoration. Professionals
involved in heritage conservation prefer to be deliberative. Consequently, experience
and wisdom become essential to adapt quickly to urgent needs and limited resources
brought on by the disaster. A seasoned professional is, therefore, essential as part of a
rapid assessment team.
A tool used for Rapid Evaluation is in the form of a standardized form. In the US we
begin with ATC 20-1 Field Manual: post-earthquake safety evaluation buildings and
ATC 45 Field Manual: safety evaluation buildings after when storms and floods.1 Such
standardized forms should be a starting point and amended to suit the local technical,
social and economic criteria. Standardized forms are an efficient method to catalogue
the historic resource; develop a snapshot of overall damage; develop ideas for triage,
i.e. emergency repairs, prioritize resources; prioritize treatments; develop cost estimates;
plan more comprehensive investigations; and begin to address vulnerabilities for the
next disaster.
It must be said that in the US, exclusive of institutional resources, we do not excel at
planning for the next disaster. This unfortunate truth was brought home during a
summer 2019 visit to the recently flooded Elsah, Illinois. My previous visit was in 1993
following significant flooding of the Mississippi River. Meeting with many of the same
people I had met 26 years earlier, our discussions were a déjà vu moment.
There should be caution regarding standardized assessments. A team that has varying
levels of skill the collected data will vary significantly in quality without a standard
approach. With a standard approach the data will become more homogeneous but may
also establish a ceiling on quality establishing an accepted minimum. Outcome
expectations need to be established that are as high as possible. This can be
accomplished by frequent inter-team meetings after a full day’s work.
There are potential dangers during rapid assessments that must be considered. These
include, but not be limited to, building or geological instability; fallen electrical lines;
the release of pollutants, toxic chemicals and sewage; exposure to harmful materials
such as asbestos, lead and PCBs; exposure to biological growth such as mold and
mildew; and danger from human activity brought on by economic desperation or
political instability.
200
Though we could begin our journey on the way forward just about anywhere on the
DRM cycle, it is been my experience as an American practitioner at the work begins
immediately following disaster and after issues such as rescuing the living in providing
food and shelter have been addressed.
Following is a checklist of immediate, medium-term and long-term measures that
one would encounter following and earth, wind, water and/or fire hazard that is caused
disaster.
201
• Revitalize cultural livelihoods that are based on the heritage resource.
Reference List
Kelley, Stephen and Rohit Jigyasu. “Between Two Earthquakes: from Recovery to
Mitigation and Preparedness”, Conservation Perspectives The GCI Newsletter,
Spring 2015.
Rosenboom, Owen; Stephen Kelley and Terry Paret. “Rehabilitation of Maison
Dufort: Adopting Traditional Techniques for Seismic Retrofitting,” Proceedings of
the Tenth US National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (2014).
Kelley, Stephen, Vellorimo Suminguit and Aparna Tandon, UNESCO Expert Mission
to the Philippines in the wake of the Bohol Earthquake and Typhoon Haiyun,
February 2014.
Kelley, Stephen. “The ISCARSAH Principles in Practice,” Proceedings of ICSA 2013
Second International Conference, Guimarães, Portugal, University of Minho
(2013).
Kelley, Stephen; Randolph Langenbach; Patrick Sparks; Kevin Rowell; and Olsen
Jean Julien. Preserving Haiti’s Gingerbread Heritage: 2010 Earthquake Mission
Report. New York: World Monuments Fund, 2010.
Kelley, Stephen, “New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, and Global Climate Change,”
Global Climate Change and its Impact on Structures of Cultural Heritage, ISBN
978-981-08-0409-1, Edited by Ramiro Sofronie, Singapore: CI Premier, 2008. pp.
51-58.
Kelley, Stephen and Patrick Sparks, "The Challenges of Structural Stabilization
Following the Hurricane Katrina Disaster," Proceedings of the 5th International
Conference, Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions, MacMillan India,
Ltd. 2006.
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ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
6.
THE MEMORY OF DISASTER, AND COMMUNITY-BASED
DISASTER MITIGATION RESEARCH ACTIVITIES TOWARDS
A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
Abstract
Lesson learning from hazardous experiences and transform these lessons into
awareness or capabilities that build future adaptive capacity is significant for Disaster
risk management and resilience. This paper provides a case study that attempts to create
a documentation of people's experiences during and immediately after the disaster
based on the field survey. Our team from R-DMUCH have conducted field survey since
2012 in Unesco world heritage preserved site of Nepal. The field survey includes town
watching, disaster mitigation map making, a questionnaire survey of households,
workshops with local communities, etc and based on those materials recently we
succeed to publish a bilingual (English & Nepalese) book entitled “the Memory of 2015
Nepal earthquake”. The book is published in Nepal with the help of local contributors
and supporters of the local community. We organized a book launch program with the
support of the local community, and the presence of local government, local
Universities and many interested scholars, individuals. This paper describes how the
book is created, what are the contents and how we tried to express importance of
traditional physical resources as well as human/ social resources for resilient society
using original illustrations, how we attempted to get together all the relative
stakeholders in one place to promote shared responsibility.
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1. Introduction
Five years have passed since the earthquakes of April and May 2015 in Nepal which
killed almost 9000 people. Recovery and reconstruction activities are still on going.
After the earthquake, it seemed people’s disaster risk awareness is increased but as time
goes by, people’s awareness and activities for disaster mitigation is weakening. Thus, it
is important to make documentation of the victim's experiences such as the fear, the
sadness, the difficulties, and the utilized issues during the disaster, to be remembered
and shared to all. Documenting the memory is a material to understand the disaster risk,
vulnerability of the area/community, and the response capacity of the community. It is
also a lesson learning process to develop an efficient strategy of sharing responsibility
within related stakeholders towards a resilient society.
We ritsumeikan university, institute of disaster mitigation for urban cultural heritage
(R-DMUCH) team has been working continuously with a community of historic city
Patan, the Unesco world heritage site, for disaster mitigation planning of the area and
recently published a book entitled “the Memory of 2015 Nepal earthquake, experience
of local residents utilizing traditional resources in UNESCO world heritage site”. It is
compiled with local resident’s experience as well as the outcomes of the workshop
conducted with locals in past. To share the disaster experience widely, the contents are
expressed in the illustration and in two language Nepali and English. In this paper, the
procedure and aspects of making the book as sharing of disaster memory, lessons learnt
form the disaster memory and the attempts for shared responsibility.
The survey area is a block located inside the Unesco world heritage monument zone
of the Patan old residential area (Figure. 1). Patan old residential area (ORA) is
204
developed in the medieval period and its townscape and architecture are known as
Newar architecture and a Newar town (Newar is an ethnic group and a local resident of
the area). Patan ORA is formed by numerous courtyards, interconnecting each other
that shaped a unique urban landscape termed as courtyard style settlement. Normally,
many of those courtyards have Buddhist religious artifacts (chaitya, Dharmadhatu etc)
and even name of Buddhist monastery. The size of courtyards is varying from 20 m2 to
2500m2. In addition of the courtyards, Newar town is also rich in communal spaces like
“Phalcha (rest house)” and “Hiti (stone water spout). Newar houses are normally 4 to
5 storied, based on the concept of purity, the living space of the house is divided on
each floor, such as the ground floor is used for a toilet/storage room, the first floor is
used for a bedroom/guest room, the third floor is used for a family room, and the fourth
floor is a kitchen, a prayer room. Newar town not only possesses religious and cultural
value but also establishes an important living heritage. And it is also noted that the
sustainability of these historic courtyards is because of the community based
collaborative space management system led by territorial and non-territorial base
organization. Normally, tole development committee is territorial base organization and
socio-religious organizations such as “guthi”, “sangha” and women’s organization etc.
are the active non-territorial organization.
Figure.1 Old residential area and study area of Patan historic town. Source: by the
author.
205
Figure.2 The block of study area. Source: by the author.
In the block of the study area, there are three courtyards, Nagbaha, Ilanani, and
Kutibaha, and there exist local community group (Tole development committee, TDC)
in each courtyard. In addition to these courtyards, a famous Buddhist monastery
Kwabaha (known as Golden Temple), which is also a tourist destination, and several
small courtyards are also found in this block (Figure. 2). There are traditional rest house
“phalcha”, community houses (Bhansal, tole chhe etc) and traditional water resources
“Hiti”, well etc.
206
The contents of the sharing disaster memory should be connected with real
happenings and the actual condition of the area. Considering this aspect, the illustration
is created originally showing the traditional courtyards and dwellings as it is. We
revisited the site, did several discussions with local working team for selection of the
scenes to the illustration. The expression will help to share the value of traditional
resources owns by the community and it also expresses their original issues and
challenges visually.
The method of sharing disaster memory should be simple, visual-oriented and
accessible to all kinds of audiences. Considering this aspect, the contents of victims’
experiences are expressed in illustration and text are written in two language.
The disaster memory should be shared by the community, the local education
authorities and the government. Considering this aspect, the published books are
donated to TDC of the study area, local organizations (Buddhist monastery
management organization, women organization etc.), schools of neighborhood areas of
the study area and local governmental disaster risk management committees.
Pic1 Group Interview. Source:by the Pic2 Individual Interview. Source: by the
author. author.
207
Pic3 Editing of interview contents. Pic4 our local working team. Source:by
Source:by the author. the author.
208
Figure 3 Disaster mitigation map. Source: the book, by the authors.
Figure 4 Useful goods during the evacuation life. Source: the book, by the authors,
illustration by R. Manandhar.
(3) Other
Appendix describes the characteristics of a Newar house and classification of
courtyards in the study area. In addition, the messages from the authors and local
collaborators who have contributed to the series of research and publishing activities
were also described.
Newar town possess seismic the residents of Newar houses. Source: Ibid.
vulnerability. Fortunately, no casualties were found in the study area during the 2015
earthquake but when we look at the victim’s experiences, one can find their fear, panic
of being in upper floors of the building, and also there is a helplessness for family
members who remain in upstairs.
Many of residents also experienced trapping inside the building because of the
209
distortion of door frames. On the other hand, some of the residents stayed under the
nina (main wooden beam) until the earthquake shaking stopped. Traditionally, it is said
that the area covered by the nina is the safest place. These experiences show the need
of risk assessment of traditional Newar house to clarify seismic evaluation.
In addition, many of the expanded upper floors of the traditional houses are built of RC.
The risk awareness of these mixed construction buildings are also needed.
During the evacuation time, TRC was the main organization which led the disaster
response activities. Since there was anxiety about thief at night, voluntary patrol
210
activities were organized and operated by the TDC. The existing local community and
its traditional or usual activities worked effectively during the evacuation life as well.
It can be said that tole committee is an important organization to work as a disaster risk
reduction organization under local government to respond disaster in Newar town.
It is also a notable point that after staying few days in courtyards, when evacuees
started their daily life in their own house, they first shifted their kitchen which is usually
on the top floor (mostly in 3rd or 4th floor) to the ground floor which is normally taken
as impure space for kitchen use or living space use. They lived using only lower floors
of the house for more than half a year because of the fear of aftermath. In this temporary
living (recovery) phase, small courtyards were used as an extension of the kitchen or
living space. It can be said that the ground floor and small courtyards of Newar town
are actually a buffer space for the disaster recovery phase.
Figure.11 Hiti (traditional stone water spout) Figure 12 people shifting their kitchen to
used during the evacuation life. Source: Ibid. ground floor from 4th floor. Source: Ibid.
211
Figure 13 a courtyard with religious artifacts Figure.14 Bedridden elderly in open space.
(chaitya/dharmadhatu) used as extension of Source: Ibid.
kitchen or store space of the house. Source: Ibid.
Figure.15 toilet issues during evacuation Figure.16 making food for all evacuees in
life. Source: Ibid. the open space of courtyard. Source: Ibid.
212
From above experiences, we can learn several challenges in stockpiling and there
need shared responsibility within stakeholders of individual level, community level and
local government level as well as academia (disaster risk management experts) level.
5.1 The book launch event with various stakeholders and book distribution
The book launch event was held in collaboration with the TRC at the park of Nag
baha which place was used as evacuation site. The ward chief of the area was invited
as chief guest. The members of ward disaster risk management committee were also
participated and many of them supported the program voluntarily. Professor at center
of disaster studies, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Professor at Kwopa
Engineering Collage, and a JICA expert were also present as guests. There were almost
200 people, including the residents and neighbors of the site and the local experts of
architecture and engineering field. The book is distributed to all the participants of the
event. During the event, authors explained the outlines and concept of the book. Chief
guest and other guests, leaders of TDC delivered the speech on the book. They gave
speech about their own memory of the earthquake, what is their responsibility and how
they can work for reducing the Disaster risk. This kind of book launch program
organized by local committee and Univ. with presence of local government, local
academic institutions, and local experts was the very first attempt. The event
successfully shared the memory of the earthquake itself.
After the event, the published books were donated to the TDC to distribute to all
households and related organizations of the study area. The book is also distributed to
disaster risk reduction committees of the Lalitpur metropolitan city and schools of the
city.
Picture. 5 Book Launch Ceremony. Picure.6 Participants of the Book Picure.7 the book is delivered to
Source:by the author. Launch Ceremony. Source:by the the president of Nagbaha Tole
213
Picure. 8 Book distribution to DRR Picure.9 Book Distribution to Picure.10 Book Distribution to Bal
office of Lalitpur metropolitan city. Mitra Primary School. Source:by Binod High School. Source:by the
Acknowledgment
We would like to thank Chairman of Nagbaha Tole development committee Mr. Juju
Ratna Shakya, chairman of youth club Rabin Shakya and other tole development
committee members for supporting for our field survey, and organizing the event. We
also would like to thank our local working team Ar. Chandani Shakya (layout of the
book), Ms. Sarina Shakya, Ms. Padma Shakya and Ar. Rimishna Manandhar
(Illustration of the book) for their contribution on field survey and book editing.
Reference List
Nagashima H., Okubo T. and Hayashi M., 2013, “Study of the guidelines of activities
for implementation of local disaster management plan in Patan, Kathmandu Valley
as World Heritage Site - through the local residents' estimation by the workshop
for disaster management” Journal of Disaster Mitigation for Historical Cities.
Vol.7., p. 201-208.
214
Ogawa K., Okubo T., Shakya L. and Kim D. 2019 “Research on Stockpiling Plan in
Traditional Space at the Time of Earthquake -In the Case of Patan, Kathmandu
Valley as World Heritage Site” Journal of Disaster Mitigation for Historical
Cities. Vol 13, p. 107-114.
Okubo T., Shakya L., Takasugi S. 2018 “Utilization of historical courtyards as
evacuation sites during Gorkha earthquake 2015: At Patan old town, Kathmandu
valley”, In Gangemi ed. world heritage site in Nepal
Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan
University 20120 “Disaster Risk Management for the Historic City of Patan”,
Final Report of the Kathmandu Research Project,
http://www.r-
dmuch.jp/en/project/dl_files/report/2012+03+KTM+Final+Report.pdf, accessed 1
august 2020
Shakya L, Takada M, Kanki K. 2018 “Spatial structure of a courtyard-style settlement
originating from a Buddhist monastery: A study of a cooperative space
management system in an old city area of Patan, part 1.” Jpn Archit Rev. 2018;
00:1-15.
https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12027
Shakya L., Takada M., Morishige S., Okubo T. 2014 “Community involvement in
management of communal space in Patan Historic City.”, Revisiting Kathmandu:
safeguarding living urban heritage, UNESCO Nepal, p. 197-206
Shakya L., Okubo T., and Kim D. 2019 “THE MEMORY of 2015 NEPAL
EARTHQUAKE”, Experience of Local Residents Utilizing Traditional Resources
in UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nagbahal | Ilanani | Kutibahal, Subhash Printing
Press
215
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
7.
THE SEISMIC RESILIENCE OF INTERWAR BUILDINGS
Liviu-Costin Gruia
PhD Student, Member of UNESCO Chair #177, Bucharest, Romania, Member of
ISCARSAH
Abstract
The paper deals with the resilience of patrimonial buildings designed in seismic
prone areas of Romania. There were no seismic codes at that time, so the structures
were modelled according to some gravitational regulations. Romania is the single
European country with deep tectonic earthquakes of subduction. During their long
service the above-mentioned buildings faced at least two such strong earthquakes.
However, in spite of some structural damages, some of them survived and remained
standing as patrimonial buildings. It is mainly the case of the multi-storey buildings
with reinforced concrete structures and masonry infills and also the structural masonry
walls and lime mortar. Many buildings of this type were erected during interwar period.
Also, the service of these buildings is further allowed only by fulfilling the severe
requirements of the codes for seismic protection. That assumes structurally upgrading.
Therefore, no structural rehabilitation is recommended if the structure is too degraded.
The concept of seismic resilience is dealing with the precise evaluation of the intrinsic
resistance reserves of patrimonial buildings. The seismic resilience of the structures in
complementary with the seismic risk of patrimonial buildings. Further, the dynamic
response of the building to micro-seismic and environmental excitations are recorded
by site measurements. In the final step of evaluation, the numerical model in 3D is built
up. It is further used to study the sceneries of loading in order to reach the extreme
states of stresses and strains. Some study cases were made in order to establish the
seismic resilience of interwar structures.
216
1. Introduction
The chosen interval of time covers the space between the year 1878, when Romania
gained its state independence and the year 1940 when, during the night of November,
10th, the strongest earthquake of the twentieth century, with a magnitude of Mw=7.4,
occurred. Romania was a new kingdom at that time. The period was marked by an
impressive economic, social and cultural growth. In spite of the dramatic events that
occurred in the meantime that period was marked by a real development of buildings
and constructions over the all country’s territory. (Sofronie R., 2019)
This period of time is marked by the start of using of reinforced concrete as a
structural material. Romania is among the pioneering countries in using of reinforced
concrete. Reinforced concrete started to be used for civil buildings at the beginning of
the 20th century. Some structural components were made from this material. Masonry
foundations were replaced by RC ones, mainly for structures with basements. Also,
wooden floors and stairs were replaced by RC ones. In the interwar period, the most
important types of civil buildings were multi-storey structures with reinforced concrete
frames and masonry infills of solid bricks with lime mortars. Most patrimonial
buildings from that considered period were made in this way. They were calculated for
gravitational actions only. (Sofronie R., 2019)
217
Figure.1 Seismic map of Romania in 2020. Source: Romanian norm P100-1/2013
3. Seismic risk and seismic resilience
In order to decide if a patrimonial building could be rehabilitated or it must be
replaced with a new building it is needed to evaluate the seismic risk for each building,
according to Romanian norm P100-3/2019. Seismic risk and seismic resilience are both
probabilistic notions, respecting the principle of complementarity. Consequently, they
are complementary notions. Seismic resilience is the self-defending capacity of
buildings against earthquakes.
It is needed to determine if interwar buildings are resilient enough in order to decide
if they could be rehabilitated or they must be replaced.
Tabke 1 Resilience values in % according to Romanian norms
Source: P100-3/2008
4. Study cases
218
Figure.2 Casin church located in Bucharest. Source: Sofronie R., 2015
The Orthodox church Casin located in Bucharest was erected in less than seven
months, between 1937-1938. The golden ratios were respected during design process.
The structural system consists of a spatial frame of RC that supports the main steeple,
and also the other 4 small steeples. The church was closed with thick walls of solid
brick and pure lime mortar. Anyway, the state of the structure was not perfect. There
were an important number of cracks caused by the foundation system. Each column is
founded using an independent foundation, with no connection to the others, and also
with different foundation elevations. (Sofronie R., Feodorov V., 2015)
Expert’s Report evaluated the seismic risk evaluated to be 65%. According to the
principle of complementarity, the seismic resilience is 35%. This means that structural
interventions are urgently needed. (Sofronie R., Feodorov V., 2015)
Five measures were proposed as follows: 1) Putting the floor under safety by
temporarily construction in basement a supporting metallic structure for limiting the
damages in case of a brittle collapse. 2) Reinforcing the soil around the church body
with polymer geogrids and water proofing the surrounded pavement. 3) Remove the
existing canalization on a more distant location. 4) Permanently monitoring the church
by controlling the 27 marks installed in the basement by technical expert. 5) According
to the Code P100-3/2008 the building was classified on the second class of seismic risk.
Consequently, by a written advertisement, displayed at the entrance, the believers
should be prevented that visiting the church could be dangerous. These measures were
carried out in order to repair the damages caused by the foundation. (Sofronie R.,
Feodorov V., 2015) No measure made sense if the structural system had no resilience
reserves. Repairing the damages caused by the foundation system will lead to a
minimum seismic resilience of 65%.
219
4.2 Adriatica Trieste Palace in Bucharest
220
Cazamir R, Gruia L., 2019)
5. Conclusion
Establishing the seismic resilience of interwar structures could be a difficult task, but
it is needed in order to evaluate the patrimonial buildings. First of all, the requirements
of the existing codes in present, as well as the ISCARSAH recommendations are
extremely restrictive. Secondly, the costs of rehabilitation works could exceed the cost
of the new equivalent buildings. Some of the buildings still have and important seismic
resilience so they should be consolidated and preserved, some of the interwar buildings
must be replaced with new ones. Preserving the patrimonial buildings is an important
part of the effort to keep alive our memory.
Acknowledgements
The unconditional support of the UNESCO Chair #177 in Bucharest, Romania, for
writing and presenting the paper with this hot subject is gratefully acknowledged.
Reference list
Sofronie R., Feodorov V., 2015. ‘Conceptual design of conservation historic buildings’;
Sofronie R., Feodorov V., Cazamir R, Gruia L. 2018. ‘Seismic response of vernacular
buildings’, ICOMOS Inter-ISC Meeting & Colloquium, 9-13 July 2018,
Kastamonu, Turkey;
Sofronie R., 2019. ‘On the seismic resilience’. Journal of Geological Resource and
Engineering 7 (2019) 132-139;
Sofronie R. 2017. ‘On the seismic jerk’, Journal of Geological Resource and
Engineering Vol. 5, Number 4, New York, USA;
Sofronie, R. 2018. ‘Intervention methods, the first international workshop on
restoration and strengthening of historical structures’, 20-22 October 2018,
Tehran, Iran;
Sofronie, R, 2018. ‘Probabilistic approach on intervention durability’. International
scientific seminar,
Sofronie R, Cazamir R, Gruia L., 2019. ‘Seismic risk of patrimonial buildings’,
SEWC 24-26 april 2019, Istanbul, Turkey;
Sofronie R, Cazamir R, Gruia L., 2019. ‘Seismic resilience of patrimonial buildings’,
SEWC 24-26 april 2019, Istanbul, Turke
221
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
8.
SECURING THE FUTURE OF HISTORIC CITIES: THE USE OF
INNOVATIVE EMERGENCY LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE
PUBLIC SAFETY IN SEISMIC ZONES
Moira Smith
Senior Heritage Advisor, Wellington City Council, Wellington, New Zealand
Abstract
222
1. Introduction
Aotearoa/New Zealand was one of the world’s last great landmasses to have been
discovered, and permanent Polynesian settlements were established by 1300AD. Te
Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington has been settled by Māori for at least 650 years and early
Māori history include earthquakes such as Haowhenua (the land swallower or destroyer)
estimated to have occurred around 1460AD.
The European settlement of Wellington was established in 1840, and some of the
earliest European settlers used traditional Māori construction techniques to construct
raupo whare (thatched houses), while others built sawn timber and cob cottages.
Although several brickworks were established across the city, very few buildings were
constructed in brick in the mid-nineteenth century. All of these were destroyed by the
1848 M7.5 Marlborough earthquakes and the subsequent 1855 M8.2 Wairarapa
earthquakes, and most buildings in the following decades were constructed in timber.
Wellington’s surviving URM buildings date from the 1870s when bylaws were
introduced to manage the risk of fire (Cochran 1990, 111), through to the 1970s by
which time the use of URM as a structural material for new buildings had been
effectively eliminated in New Zealand.
Wellington’s URM buildings are remarkable survivors. Earthquakes in the early
twentieth century, including the 1931 M7.8 Hawkes Bay and the 1942 M7.2 Wairarapa
earthquakes led to the removal of URM parapets and ornamentation. Provisions to
manage “earthquake-prone” buildings were introduced in the 1960s and proactive
programmes to demolish earthquake-prone buildings in the 1980s led to the loss of most
Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the central city. Despite this loss some remarkable
collections of older commercial buildings remain, particularly in the Cuba Street and
Courtenay Place Heritage Areas, and in the nearby suburbs of Hataitai, Newtown and
Island Bay.
The 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes had a profound effect on many New
Zealanders and led to a review of the Building Act 2004 including the provisions for
earthquake-prone buildings. The Canterbury earthquakes included the initial M7.2
Darfield earthquake and the subsequent M6.3 Christchurch earthquake on the 22nd
February 2011, which resulted in 185 deaths and thousands of injuries (CERC 2012).
Thirty-nine people were killed by the failure of URM buildings, including by the
collapse of parapets and facades onto adjacent buildings, footpaths and streets.
223
Figure 1. Examples of buildings where unreinforced brick masonry parapets and facades
collapsed onto the pavement during the Christchurch Earthquake in February 2011.
Source: Win Clark (MBIE 2017)
224
3. The Hurunui/Kaikōura Earthquakes Recovery Act 2016
A few days after the NZSEE and SESOC presentation, on the 12th of December,
Government introduced the Hurunui/Kaikōura Earthquakes Recovery Act 2016. This
was followed by an Order in Council (OIC) known as the “Hurunui/Kaikōura
Earthquakes Recovery (Unreinforced Masonry Buildings) Order 2017”. The Order in
Council came into effect on the 27th February 2017 and was designed to reduce the risk
of the collapse of URM facades and parapets onto busy streets. The OIC applied to four
councils – Hurunui District, Marlborough District, Hutt City and Wellington – and
required all URM parapets and facades along streets listed in the OIC to be secured
within a year.
To expedite work, the OIC set aside the requirement for Building Consent and
Resource Consent (town planning and heritage consents) as long as the works did not
include demolition and were overseen by a chartered engineer. It included a fine of up
to $200,000 for non-compliance and a sunset clause which revoked the Order in
Council on the 31st March 2018. The Order in Council was accompanied by a
$4.5million fund to support owners to carry out the works. The fund was intended to
pay for up to half the costs, with a limit of $10,000 for a parapet and $15,000 for a
façade.
To accompany the legislation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) published a guidance document “Securing parapets and facades on
unreinforced masonry buildings: Advice for building owners, councils and engineers”
(MBIE 2017) which provided practical advice on the Order in Council along with
advice on methods to manage heritage values of valued historic buildings.
By the end of March 2017 Wellington City Council issued 113 URM notices to
building owners and established a programme of works for the coming year. Nearby
Hutt City Council identified 72 potentially URM buildings (HCC 2018), and a small
number of buildings were also identified in the districts of Hurunui and Marlborough.
In Wellington, buildings were selected because they were:
• “Earthquake-prone” under Council’s Earthquake-prone Buildings’ Policy
• Constructed from unreinforced masonry; and
• Located along one of the routes identified in the Order in Council
225
10% of the city’s heritage buildings. Most of these (53 buildings) were located in
heritage areas including the Cuba Street, Courtenay Place, Civic Centre and BNZ/Head
Office heritage areas in the inner city, and the suburban John Street Intersection,
Newtown Central, and Island Bay Shopping Centre heritage areas.
These collections of heritage buildings include some of Wellington’s most vibrant
urban places, and are synonymous with the character and identity of the city and its
surrounds. As such, it was important that Council’s URM programme took heritage
values into consideration when implementing the legislation. This was achieved in the
following ways:
• The URM Hurunui/Kaikōura Earthquakes Recovery (Unreinforced
Masonry Buildings) Order 2017 allowed the works to be undertaken
without Resource Consent (planning and listed building consents), but:
o Required the design to have regard to the heritage values of the building
or heritage area; and
o Did not allow for the demolition of parapets or facades on heritage
buildings without consent.
• The guidance document published by MBIE offered practical advice on
“Respecting heritage values in engineering design”. The guidance
document included input from structural engineers, Council’s heritage
advisors, and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT). It included
advice on:
o Heritage buildings, and the identification of heritage values;
o The ICOMOS New Zealand Charter, and support available from
Council’s heritage advisors, HNZPT and other heritage experts;
o The importance of quality workmanship and principles of weather-
tightness; and
o Examples of good practice, with photographs and descriptions of heritage
buildings that had been recently been earthquake strengthened.
• Wellington City Council’s Resilience Team created a multidisciplinary
project team that included Council’s heritage advisors, along with Resource
Consent (town planning) planners, and Building Consent, parking and
traffic management officers.
• The Resilience Team’s case-managers included a senor heritage advisor on
part-time secondment to assist with some of the most complex heritage
buildings.
226
six-months was slow. By mid-July 2017, 104 buildings remained on the URM list, and
only 46% of owners had engaged a structural engineer. A six-month stock-take in
September 2017 confirmed that owners were facing significant challenges and many
would not complete the programme without additional support. In November, project
managers from RCP joined the Wellington City Council URM team. In addition to
support with Council’s project management, RCP effectively offered a “turn-key”
assistance package for owners of the smaller and simpler projects where the costs were
likely to be below $50,000. This was helpful for owners who had little or no experience
with building contracts, and who had struggled to find structural engineers and
contractors to carry out the works.
227
• Owners who had long-term plans to demolish their buildings;
• Obtaining Building and Resource Consents for works outside the scope of the
URM exemptions; and
• Council processes, consents, licenses and systems that were not covered by the
URM exemptions, including parking and traffic management.
Before – Typical commercial building in the Newtown Shopping Centre Heritage Area
As case managers began to understand the complexities that building owners faced,
it became clear that the focus of the programme on engineering solutions and
regulations was problematic. Council changed its approach and directed its attention to
the needs of building owners, and put people at the heart of programme. In the words
of Council’s Chief Resilience Officer, Mike Mendonca,
“…at the end of the day, resilience is about people and how we live, work and play. If
we had stuck dogmatically to Government Policy Guidelines or repeated our previous
228
efforts with earthquake-prone buildings I think we would have failed. Instead we
recognised [the importance of putting owners at the heart of the programme] halfway
through and had the courage to make changes…”
The URM team was reorganised and additional case managers were seconded from
other parts of Council including from Council’s heritage team. This provided more
resources to the URM team and provided an integrated approach to Council systems
and processes.
40
20 6 months
0
March September March September
2017 2017 2018 2018
229
(including building owners) at the heart of the programme. A people-centred approach
was an outstanding feature of the URM programme and contributed substantially to its
success.
Along with a people-centred approach to its implementation, other lessons learned
from the programme are that:
• A motivating factor that led to the creation of (and compliance with) the
legislation was the recent experience of the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes,
where 39 people were killed by the failure of URM buildings.
• The URM programme had a disproportionate effect on heritage buildings,
and care must be taken to consider the conservation of heritage values when
drafting and implementing emergency legislation.
• All parties need to allocate sufficient time and resources. In this case the
scope of work, cost and time required to complete the work was
underestimated when the legislation was drafted, and were adjusted
subsequently.
• The construction industry and engineering community must be prepared to
support building owners to contract their services. One of the key barriers to
an initial take-up of the programme was the availability of engineers to carry
out the assessment and design work.
• Case management by a government or local authority is critical. Case
managers bring together diverse disciplines to act as a team; make sense of
complicated processes; and remove the barriers to success for building
owners. The effectiveness of case managers had an unparalleled influence on
the outcomes of the URM programme.
As well as providing the lessons noted above, the URM programme addressed a
significant number of earthquake-prone unreinforced masonry facades throughout the
city. This has reduced the risk that parapets and facades will collapse onto the pavement
or street in a future moderate earthquake or aftershock. The work has also helped to
conserve and repair 67 heritage buildings within a short, eighteen-month, period.
Although the programme was not specifically directed at the conservation of heritage
buildings, the overall effect was to maintain and protect the city’s cultural heritage and
restore economic, social and cultural well-being.
Reference List
Brunsdon, D., Elwood, K. J. & Hare, J. 2017 “Engineering Assessment Processes for
Wellington Buildings Following the November 2016 Kaikōura Earthquakes”,
Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, Vol 50(2), pp.
230
338-342
Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha.
2012, Final Report: Part 2 Volume 4 Earthquake-Prone Buildings. Wellington:
Department of Internal Affairs
Cochran, C. 1990 “Styles of Sham and Simplicity: Timber Buildings in Wellington to
1880.” In D. A. Hamer ed. The Making of Wellington 1800 – 1914, p 111.
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tsunami losses from large earthquakes affecting Wellington Region”, GNS Science
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14/11/2016 Kaikoura Earthquake. GNS Te Pū Ao , website accessed January 2019
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Forecast-and-Hazard-Modelling/M7.8-Kaikoura-Earthquake-2016
Hutt City Council 2018. “Lower Hutt safer after quake-risk buildings constructed.”
Press release on Scoop , website updated 12 September 2018.
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buildings-constructed.htm
McSaveney, E. “Historic earthquakes - Earthquakes in Māori tradition”, Te Ara - the
Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 7 December 2019)
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parapets
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initiative
Smith, P. & Campbell, P 2016. “Submission to Hon. Dr. Nick Smith, Minister of
Building and Housing”, Public Safety Initiatives, Kaikoura Earthquake.
Wellington: NZSEE & SESCOC unpublished paper
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Earthquake Engineering, 2019 Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering:
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Woods, R. J., McBride, S. K., Wotherspoon, L. M., Beavan, S., Potter, S. H.,
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Becker, J. S. 2017. Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake
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232
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
9.
PRESERVING THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF
DANUBE DELTA
Abstract
233
1. Introduction
The Danube Delta is a region in the South-Eastern part of Romania, in Dobrogea. It
is an area of land and water, of ancient mountains (around 300-400 million years ago,
compared with the Alps or Carpathians, ‘only’ 60 million years old), of forests and
steppes, with milder temperatures compared to the rest of Romania (influenced by the
Black Sea), but with harsh, strong winds. At the mouth of the Black Sea and between
the Danube channels, there has always been a commercial and social exchange between
the local population and the navigators on the Black Sea coming from the other shores
or from the Mediterranean Sea. An area of ancient road crossings – from the North Sea
to the Black Sea and from here to the Mediterranean or from the Russian steppe to
Constantinople – it is the homeland of no less than 18 different ethnical groups:
Romanians, Aromanians, Bulgarians, Turks, Tatars ,Gypsies, Jews, Greeks, Armenians,
Russians, Lipovans, Ukrainians, Gagauzians, Germans, Italians, Albanians, Serbs,
Hungarians and others. In a way, it can be considered a land of geographic and cultural
diversity.
234
The built heritage of Sulina includes 36 monuments (historical, architectural and
funeral) recorded on the List of Historical Monuments, 10 of them having outstanding
national and universal values, and many of them must be restored.
235
Figure 2. The Palace of the European Danube Commission (EDC)
Original Image: by the author
236
because one of the inhabitants of the city had cut the fuse. But it burned all the wooden
structure from the top part. The Water Castle is still feeding Sulina today and has
become the symbol of the city.
237
Under these conditions, the Cathedral "St. Nicolae and Alexandru" from Sulina,
appeared as unprepared for these severe requests. Consequently, in 2019, using
advanced 3D computing programs, dynamic calculations were made for all structural
components as well as for the structure as a whole. The theoretical analysis and the
numerical model were supported by site investigations carried out by the author.
The recordings were made on 11.07.2019 with two recording equipment with
accelerometer installed in two locations, as follows: an equipment was installed at the
base while, the second piece of equipment was installed at the top of the tower. Were
made five sequential recordings with recording times of 180 seconds.
From the analysis of the results obtained by processing the micro seismic records
(both sequential -recordings of 180s, as well as continuous - ringbuffer type) it is found
that the spectral amplifications for the two orthogonal directions in the plane are at the
values fx / long = 6.03 Hz - x direction (longitudinal) and fy / transv = 4.65 Hz - y
direction (transversal), respectively, which leads to the following own-period values
corresponding to the two directions:
3. Conclusion
The basis for conservation and reinforcement must take into account both safety
evaluation and understanding of historical / cultural significance of the structure ;Each
intervention should, as far as possible, respect the original concept and construction
techniques; Where the application of current design codes would lead to excessive
interventions that would involve the loss of historic fabric or historic character, it is
238
necessary to provide adequate safety by alternative means; Repair is always preferable
to replacement; Dismantling and reassembly should only be undertaken when required
by the nature of the materials and structure or when conservation is more damaging.
Acknowledgements
The confidence and unconditional support of UNESCO Chair #177, Bucharest,
Romania.
Reference list
Sofronie, Ramiro. Intervention methods. “Tehran: Iranian Cultural Heritage
Handicraft and Tourism Organization, ISCARSAH.” Proceedings of the First
International Workshop on Restoration and Strengthening of Historical
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I.S.C.A.R.S.A.H. Recommendations, U.N.E.S.C.O., Paris 9/12, 2001.
Sofronie R., Fedorov V., Cazamir R.C., Gruia L.C., “Seismic response of vernacular
buildings”, I.C.O.M.O.S. Inter-I.S.C. Meeting & Colloquium, Kastamonu, Turkey,
2018c;
Sofronie R. Cazamir R-C., Lungu S., and Gruia L-C. 2019. “Danubian Port Giurgiu is
Thriving. Proceedings of the 7th Structural Engineers World Congress. “Architecture
and Structures: From Past to Future. April 24-26, 2019, Istanbul, Turkey.
Sofronie R., Cazamir R.C., Gruia L.C., “Seismic risk of patrimonial buildings,
Istanbul”, S.E.W.C. 2019a.
Sofronie R., Cazamir R.C., Gruia L.C., “Seismic rehabilitation of patrimonial
buildings”, Istanbul, S.E.W.C. 2019b.
P. De Joanna 1, A. M. Dabija, A. Passaro, G, Vaccaro, R. Sfinteș, “The reasons of the
vernacular architecture for the regulation of contemporary interventions. two
examples of rural architecture on Danube Delta and the Vesuvius”,
HERITAGE2020 (3DPast | RISK-Terra) International Conference, 9–12
September 2020, Valencia, Spain
239
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
10.
A TALE OF THREE SOUKS AFTER DISASTER
“Reconstruction and Regeneration of Syrian Urban Commercial
Areas”,”in Aleppo”, “Damascus and Homs”
Abstract
240
1. Introduction
A parallel is often evoked between the scale of recent destruction in Middle Eastern
cities in Syria and Iraq and those of European cities during WWII. Hence the temptation
to also draw lessons in urban reconstruction. This is not an easy task because of
differences in political, sociological and financial contexts. Regarding historic centres,
major differences are obvious in terms of traditional urban structure and fabric. Given
the importance of commercial areas, this paper will try to provide a first approach to
just completed souks reconstruction after disaster, with a cultural heritage particular
concern, in three Syrian cities, Aleppo, Damascus and Homs.
241
Syria is presently one of the few counties most concerned by war damage and
destruction. This is why ICOMOS has set up a Working Group tasked with the
safeguarding of cultural heritage, which developed its own strategy combining,
informing, training, advising or developing partnerships.
A sounder foundation for future projects after disaster should include a better
understanding and monitoring of on-going present restoration and reconstruction
practices. The presentation of a few Syrian urban case studies drawn from Damascus,
Homs and Aleppo may provide future directions for a better and more comprehensive
rehabilitation. In this process, souks are an important component. Thanks to recent field
visits in 2016, 2018 and 2019, some contrasted endeavours were documented.
3. Damascus
Damascus is probably the oldest continuously capital city. The ancient walled town
was included on the World Heritage List in 1979. It spans over 86 ha and includes large
commercial areas, mainly souks, which are shared by all communities and service the
whole urban area around. In old Damascus, damages due to fire and fighting risks
would be even higher than in other cities, due to the nature of the traditional building
materials (wood, in addition to adobe and some stone). This is why ICOMOS,
ICCROM and UNESCO specifically developed a set of recommendations, which was
provided in January 2014 to the Municipality of Damascus and the DGAM under the
title of “Preparedness and response to a possible heritage emergency in the Old City of
Damascus”. Al Hamidiyeh and Medhat Pasha souks in Damascus were built around
1880, under the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. They rose by about 4 m above long
hidden previous main Roman avenues. The municipality would still take care of
infrastructure services, as well as of common roof renewal. It recently consistently
contributed to the harmonization of facades and commercial signs.
During present conflict, the walled city has been geographically very close to rebel
held suburbs to the East and received occasional shelling. Several fires spontaneously
occurred in some traditional souks: in al Asrouniyeh (April 2016), al Hamidiyeh
(December 2016), Bab al Jabieh (July 2017) and al Bzourieh (July 2020). For local
architects, the stocking of flammable materials and electrical short-circuits seem to be
the main culprits. The unavailability of storage facilities around the city, the use of
alternative fuels, the risky electrical connections and the insufficient pressure in the fire
hose network represent continuous threats.
Sometimes, just a few shops were involved, but al Asrouniyeh fire was the most
important as 205 shops burnt. The souk appeared in the late Ottoman period between
the citadel to the West, the Omeyad Mosque to the East and the Souk al Hamidiyeh to
the South. It was not covered, even if it included a few functional “bridges”. Toys and
242
some cheap domestic utensils used to be sold there. With the municipality assent, the
reconstruction of burnt commercial premises was carried swiftly by shopkeepers for
economical reasons, with respect to scale, but too quickly and without care for
appropriate building materials. Hollow bricks and metal were used instead of traditional
flat bricks. Today, an ordinary passer-bye would not guess this lively area was
reconstructed a few years ago.
An elegant late ottoman bank (now the “Commercial Bank”) with tile covered
pitched roofs was also a fire victim. A UNESCO consistent report including
architectural drawings recommended its careful restoration, including an internal
courtyard that was, years ago, divided among tenants. The project may have been too
costly or the bank presently too poor, so the ruins are still closed but untouched to the
present.
Figure. 1 – Damascus: Souk al Asrouniyeh, after reconstruction. May 2018 – Photo s. abdulac
4. Homs
The city is located in central western Syria and emerges into historical records in the
1st century BC, during the Hellenistic Seleucid dynasty. Homs became recently a major
industrial centre and was the third largest town in Syria. The city experienced a heavy
destruction between 2012 and April 2014 during a rebellion. Most ancient monuments
were damaged: Mosques, churches, housing and the souks.
The Souk area is supposed to come from the 13th century and measure about 45,000
m2 and includes 15 different souks. Their global size is however much smaller than in
Aleppo or Damascus who played a much greater international commercial role. They
included small alleyways covered with plaster coated stone vaults. Larger avenues were
covered with more recent metal barrel or pitched roofs. They were damaged, but
comparatively less than other parts of the old city.
The United Nations Program for Development (UNDP) wished, with a small seed
243
budget, to generate a sustainable employment and revitalization process in Homs. After
a large consultation including public meetings (inhabitants, business community,
authorities), the UNDP decided to carry on a project to restore the souks, with a rather
smart social and economic logic: this program generates employment for construction
workers who repair the souks, their roofs and their shops. Shopkeepers are encouraged
to come back as no building investment is needed. Finally, the rebirth of the souk should
encourage inhabitants and consumers to return.
This 2-year project started in June 2016 and included 4 phases: cleaning, archiving,
restoration and reconstruction. It includes 892 shops. Structural damage was repaired.
Plaster coated vaults were cleaned and redone neatly. Prefab semi-cylindrical metal
roofs were placed over wide alleys. Solar lighting is to be provided. Uniform individual
metal rolling shutters replaced older ones to close shops. The Directorate General of
Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) took care of monitoring and archiving undertaken
works. This endeavour was designed as a pilot urban reconstruction project quickly
implemented with a cost of a few hundred thousand dollars only. It may not
scientifically satisfy professional conservation architects, but Homs is not a World
Heritage site anyway.
When we visited the place in May 2018, about half of shops seemed open. The
jewellers’ souk was still empty and works did not have started in the Qaisariyah, but
this was during a weekend after all. It is not known if all shopkeepers who left the city
were back or how their rights would be preserved.
The local chapter of Architects organised several meetings on conservation. Training
for a group of architects was offered by a UNESCO program based in Beirut, thanks to
Prince Claus Fund. The UNDP also provides training to craftsmen, like in carpentry.
Figure. 2 – Homs: Souks main alleyway, after rehabilitation, May 2018 – Photo s. abdulac
244
Figure. 3 – Homs: Jewellers’ Souk after restoration, May 2018 – Photo s. abdulac
5. Aleppo
The Ancient City of Aleppo was included on the World Heritage List in 1986. It
measures 364 hectares. Its Souks are located at its very heart between the Citadel to the
East and the Antakya Gate to the West. At the end of the 15th century, most of the souk’s
roofs were built with wood. After two major fires, Ottoman authorities decided to cover
the souks with stone vaults and domes. With their long and narrow alleys Aleppo Souks
are probably the largest covered historic market in the world, with nearly a length of a
dozen kilometres of alleys, and a surface area of around 16 ha. Detailed surveys
produced large-scale plans as early as the 1930’s. They were completed by recent 3D
and drone measurements and images. The alleys orthogonal network is probably due to
a former Hellenistic urban plan.
The recent crisis extremely affected Ancient Aleppo from 2012 to December 2016.
This sector long remained on the battle front line and shelling was exchanged from one
house to the other. As a result, the historic town has suffered a major destruction of its
physical assets, and a severe disruption o its social and economic life. The city souks
were looted, burned, bombed and sometime blown up. Some sections disappeared
other remains as pitiful ruins invaded by grass and savage plants. . This terrible situation
prompted the World Heritage Committee in 2013 to inscribe the Old City (as well as all
the other Syrian sites) as a World Heritage site in Danger.
The Aga Khan Fund for Culture had a long history of interventions in Aleppo before
the conflict, in the citadel, in public spaces and craftsmen training. When peace returned
to Aleppo, it wished to invest in strategic issues like a report on a prospective vision for
Aleppo (2018) or a pilot reconstruction project like the Souk al Saqatiya (2017-2019).
For this latter one, a Memorandum of understanding was passed between it, the DGAM,
the Syrian Trust for Culture and the Municipality.
245
This souk al Saqatiya had several advantages: It was located near two main accesses
to the souk area and close to the Omeyad Mosque. It suffered rather minor damage and
belonged to one owner only, the Religious endowments. Most tenants were gradually
identified. The Saqatiya used originally to be a sort of meat market but its functions
gradually evolved. It included 53 shops along a 4.7-4.9 m wide and nearly 100 m long
alley, on a Surface area of about 1,500 m2. Its architecture was monumental with vaults
and domes. It had the potential to become a model, even a flagship for restoring the
historical souks in ancient Aleppo.
The project involved a complete restoration of the damaged covering and structures,
the construction of new and modern technical installation (water, electricity,
communication, etc.) and the design of appropriate functional and decorative elements
(wooden portals for the shops, artistic lighting of spaces, etc.) in harmony with the
historic character of the souk.
The Aleppo municipality used to be dynamic in the conservation of cultural heritage
in the 1990s and 2000s and began undertaking area rehabilitation projects. Because of
a lack of funds and ownership complications, historic residential areas are left aside for
the moment. It now boasts the reconstruction of 650 m of souks. It mainly worked on
al Khabia souk and has views on al Sawabtia as wall as commercial areas linked to al
Harir, Jaky and Venetian’s Caravanserails. In al Khabia the pitched metal roof was
completely reconstructed and the occupancy rate of stores is 30%.
Figure. 4 – Aleppo: Souk al Saqatiya during restoration, January 2019 – Photo s. abdulac
246
Figure. 5 – Aleppo: Souk al Saqatiya after restoration, September 2019 – Photo dgam
6. Provisional conclusion
Presented case studies illustrate the architectural variety of souks as well as their
urban centrality in their historic cities. Even in World Heritage sites, some of them may
represent artistic masterpieces and others not. This is why some deserve a restoration
as careful as for other historical monuments. It is however the alliance of tangible and
intangible heritage that gives them such a fascinating flavour and atmosphere. Their
magic fades away as soon as they are empty, whatever the reason is.
The conservation and management of souks has developed locally, even before, in
peacetime. There is usually care and pride in rehabilitating souks after disaster among
local and specialized authorities. Young professionals and architects are eager to learn,
to be trained and to participate in the reconstruction effort. The DGAM and
municipalities however suffer from a shortage of funds and cadres. External initiatives
are however important to initiate conservation pilot project as in Aleppo or using souks
as a leverage of socio-economic development as in Homs. The large-scale destruction
inside the country doesn’t facilitate the allocation of domestic resources. Political
opposition with foreign powers prevents usual bi-lateral aid and cooperation. Even if
cultural heritage is not specifically targeted, international or unilateral sanctions end up
by paralyzing any funding from abroad, even for ordinary persons.
Recovery from fires is comparatively easier, as clients, providers, merchants and
employees are still all present. They could be consulted and associated. After a military
conflict, some could be dead or may have migrated elsewhere in the country or even
abroad. Economic sanctions would prevent their return. Giving a priority to souks was
probably a wise approach, even if more detailed studies are still needed. It already
seems that expected leverage effect for revitalizing historic cities may however not
reach its full potential yet, because of internal and external factors. In spite of a
247
promising beginning, the reconstruction of historic cities in Syria, particularly Aleppo,
may take a long time, perhaps a too long one, if it is ever achieved.
Acknowledgments
Visits coordinated with the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM)
and the Aga Khan Fund for Culture. This paper is related to earlier unpublished
presentations:
Reference List
Abdulac Samir, “War and destruction in the Old City of Aleppo, in Heritage at Risk.”
World Report 2014-2015 on Monuments and Sites in Danger. Berlin: Bässler
Verlag, 2017- ISBN 978-3-945880-26-5: 97-100
Abdulac, Samir, “ICOMOS Working Group, Directions for the Safeguarding and
Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage in Syria, in Nach der Stunde Null, After the
Zero Hour.” Deutsches Archäologisches Institut. Berlin, Friederike Fless and Jörg
Haspel, 2019: 127-170
Degeorge, Gérard. 1994. Damas des ottomans à nos jours. Paris: L’Harmattan
State Party Report on the State of Conservation of the Syrian Cultural Heritage.
Ministry of Culture, for submission on 1 February 2019.
News published on the DGAM website (http://www.dgam.gov.sy/): 21/05/2014,
18/11/2015, 30/12/2016, 03/05/2017.
248
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
11.
A DEEP LEARNING SYSTEM FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND
RESTORATION OF HERITAGE STRUCTURES,
“CASE STUDY OF THE 2017 PUEBLA, MEXICO EARTHQUAKE”
Satwant Rihal1, Hisham Assal2, Hiram Badillo3, Maria Margarita Segarra Lagunes4
1
Prof. Emeritus, College of Architecture & Env. Design, Cal Poly,
San Luis Obispo, California U.S.A.
2
Lecturer, Computer Science and Software Engineering Department, Cal Poly,
San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.A.
3
Asst. Prof., Civil Engineering Department, Universidad Autonoma de Zcatecas, Mexico
4
Prof., Department of Architecture, Universita degli Studi Roma Tre., Rome, Italy
Abstract
249
1. Introduction
The beautiful and rich religious cultural heritage of central Mexico are under threat
from effects of natural disasters, and need to be preserved for future generations. This
rich and beautiful architectural heritage of Puebla, Oaxaca, Morelos and neighboring
areas in central Mexico, consisting of churches, cathedrals and basilicas, sanctuaries,
convents and chapels suffered the wrath of natural disasters e.g. earthquakes, rains /
floods over centuries. Following each of these natural disaster events, these churches
have been repaired and restored within the constraints of available resources. The
surveys and reconnaissance of the historic churches carried out following these natural
disasters, result in a large amount of data and the knowledge base that has been
accumulated, can be useful in planning for restoration and conservation of religious
cultural heritage for any future disaster events.
250
Epicentral Locations of Mexico Historic Earthquakes
251
• Bell towers
• Vaults and Dome Roofs
• Foundation Conditions
Some examples of the damage suffered by historic churches during the 2017
earthquake are presented in figure 2 below.
Figure 2. Bell tower collapse – exterior façade damage -Chalcaltzingo, Morelos (left)
Heavy damage of the main dome, Immaculada Concepcion, Zacualpan de Amilpas
(right) Source: Lagunes (2020)
3.1 Inventory of the damage suffered by the historical churches During the
2017 earthquakes
Based on observed damage data collected from site visits to historic churches,
and that available from other sources, Badillo (2019) has presented an inventory of
historical religious buildings damaged by the September 2017 earthquakes. In this
inventory the damaged religious historical buildings were classified into the following
categories: (i) Cathedrals and Basilicas (ii) Sanctuaries (iii) Convents and former
Convents and (iv) Parishes
For each category the names and location of the religious historic buildings are
presented under each of the following damage classifications:
• Severe Damage
• Moderate Damage
• Minor Damage
An excellent earthquake damage survey and documentation of a number of religious
252
heritage structures – churches, and restoration of one Augustian Convent – now on the
UNESCO world heritage list, has been presented by Lagunes (2020). A preliminary
inventory and statistics of collapsed buildings in Mexico City during the 2017 Puebla
– Morelos earthquakes has been presented by Galvis, et. al (2017).
A study of the earthquake damage inventory presented by Badillo (2019) shows that
out of all the affected regions of Mexico the largest number of damaged religious
historical monuments were located in Puebla (27%) and Oaxaca (25%) comprising a
253
combined total of 52%.
Based on an analysis of the damage patterns presented in Table I, it can be estimated
that some of the significant reasons for the heavy damage and collapse of the old
historical churches are as follows:
• Tall heavy masonry exterior walls-damaged due to large out-of-plane
displacements
• Inadequate connections between the heavy roofs and the exterior masonry
walls
• Masonry bell towers suffered heavy damage and collapse due to amplification
of seismic response accelerations and displacements
• Decorative components of heavy exterior masonry façade walls in the upper
parts of the facades suffered damage and collapse due to amplification of
seismic response accelerations and displacements
• If we assume that 50% of the historic churches had vaulted roofs/ceilings, we
may speculate that a significant percentage of them are likely to suffer damage
depending on their age, materials, openings, their supporting structure and
foundations, due to large seismic displacements they will experience due to
amplification of earthquake ground motion effects
• If we assume that 40% of the historic churches had dome roofs, we may
speculate that about a third of them may suffer serious damage and collapse
depending on their age, materials, openings, and their supporting structure,
due to large seismic displacements that they may experience due to
amplification of earthquake ground motion effects
254
of damage both from images and from numerical data. Different types of damage can
result from many conditions, including ground settlement, ground motions,
amplification of ground motions, etc. Each type of damage points to a weakness in the
structure to resist the forces and displacements imposed by an earthquake. Identifying
patterns of damage can help restoration efforts and provide recommendation for
strengthening or retrofitting existing structures to withstand future events.
Efforts have been made to use the earthquake data to build systems that assist in the
assessment of risk and identification of damage in many types of buildings. (Maioa et
al., 2020 and Mosoarca et al., 2020). Machine learning allows us to extract knowledge
from large volumes of data and deep learning allows us to dig deeper into the data and
find more complex relationships. In this paper we propose building a deep learning
system from the large data sets of more recent earthquake events.
Figure 3 shows the typical process of building deep learning systems from large sets
of data. First, data analysis will be performed on the data set to identify the significant
elements of the earthquake event and the significant damage to each type of structure.
The result of this analysis will be a set of extracted features, which reflect the meaning
of the data set. A model will be built to represent the extracted features in a uniform
way. The model will be used to train the deep network of the learning system to identify
the same significant elements in new data sets. Other data sets from different earthquake
events can be used as test the learning network.
6. Conclusion
Earthquake events cause significant damage to historic buildings, especially those
which were built before any earthquake building code was in place. The number of
historic structures that were damaged by recent earthquakes is very large and the types
of observed damage varies widely. There is a large volume of data generated from the
recent earthquake events, which offers the opportunity to perform analysis and extract
insight about the effect of earthquakes on historic buildings. This type of analysis can
be performed by a deep learning system that is built from models of the collected data.
255
The lessons learned can be used to restore damaged historic structures and provide
guidance to preservation projects.
Acknowledgements
The valuable assistance of Professor Maria Margarita Segarra Lagunesin of
Universita degli Studi Roma Tre, Rome, Italy during the course of preparation of this
paper is gratefully acknowledged.
Reference list
GEER, “Geotechnical Engineering Reconnaissance of the 19 September 2017 Mw
7.1” Puebla-Mexico City Earthquake, version 2.0, February 2020
http://www.geerassociation.org
“Earthquake Spectra, Special issue on the 2017 Puebla Earthquake”, Earthquake
Engineering Research Institute, Oakland, California (Under preparation) January
2021
Badillo -Almaraz, Hiram, “Damage Inventory of Historical Buildings in Mexico
caused by the 2017 September Earthquakes” (Unpublished Report) 2019
Lagunes, Maria Margarita Segarra, “The Restoration project of the former
Augustinian Convent of the Immaculada Concepcion in Zacualpan de Amilpas
(Mor.) after the 2017 earthquakes in Mexico – Monument Inscribed on the
UNESCO World Heritage List”, ISCARSAH Virtual Meeting, July 5, 2020
Galvis, F., Miranda, E., Heresi, Pablo, Davalos, H., and Silos, Jose., “Preliminary
Statistics of Collapsed Buildings in Mexico City in the September 19, 2017”
Puebla-Morelos Earthquake, October 2017
Rui Maioa, João M.C. Estêvãob, Tiago M. Ferreirac, Romeu Vicentea. “Casting a new
light on the seismic risk assessment of stone masonry buildings located within
historic centers.” Structures, Volume 25, June 2020, Pages 578-592
Marius Mosoarca, Iasmina Onescu, Eugen Onescu, Anthimos Anastasiadisc. “Seismic
vulnerability assessment methodology for historic masonry buildings in the near-
field areas.” Engineering Failure Analysis, Volume 115, September 2020.
256
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
12.
MOULD REMEDIATION IN HERITAGE CONSERVATION
USING UVC
Victoria Pearce
Director and senior conservator at Endangered Heritage Pty Ltd Canberra Australia.
Abstract
Mould is a serious deterioration agent in small artifacts i.e. books and leather, and in
organic materials found in large technology items and built heritage sites. Mould causes
loss of surfaces, details, and structural strength, resulting in irreversible damage to the
integrity of heritage items.
Mould can cause serious illness and even death. The effective treatment of mould to
provide safe working environments that eliminate human exposure is a critical area of
research, with extensive additional benefits to the material heritage in collections.
This paper explores the use of UVC for mould remediation in heritage conservation.
Using established data from journal research in the medical and water sanitation
industry, experimentation was designed to test the efficacy of using UVC to kill mould
in book and paper materials. Exposure over differing time periods was tested on
processed paper pellets with fruiting mould and fungi. Total eradication of mould and
fungi exceeded expectations and has encouraging results for further research.
The follow up cleaning and removal of mould and mildew by products is more
effective following UVC treatment than alternative treatments improving the aesthetic
appearance of a heritage artifacts stained by mould.
This preliminary work has implications for preventing bio-deterioration in built
heritage post flood or excavation, bio-deterioration in desalination treatments of
underwater archaeological finds and for the treatment of small artifacts in the
conservation laboratory. The development of a protocol for built heritage interiors is
discussed and hazards of using this radiation source are covered in this paper
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1. Introduction
In the past 10 years Endangered Heritage has been using UVC for mould remediation
in movable heritage and recording the findings of exposure on paper, wood, leather,
textiles, painted surfaces and other organic material. The benefits have proven
outstanding to both the artifacts and to human health from risk to exposure to moulds.
The team continue to do further research with the aim of establishing an international
protocol for mould remediation for a variety of high risk heritage applications, in
particular a call for professional collaboration in built heritage.
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with varying success historically. Most of these have had long-term deleterious impacts
to the artifact in the years following treatment. Most rely on leaving a damaging pH on
the surface in order to create a hostile environment inhibiting the flourishing of spores.
This damaging pH, usually in the highly acid or very alkali range, can also dissolve
organic finishes and decoration. Some treatments reduce the mildew staining but do not
remove or kill the spores from the mould, meaning that at high humidity regrowth is
almost certain.
The World Health Organizations “Indoor air quality; Dampness and mould” report
focuses on air quality for workers and occupants of damp and infected building sites
and details the deleterious effects moulds have on short- and long-term health outcomes.
These include respiratory disease, immunological diseases and in extreme cases even
death. A person in good health can be exposed to mould spores and their immune system
will remove spores with little ill effect, however prolonged exposure or primary
weaknesses in the immune system can reduce the resilience to exposure. In the case of
built heritage assets, mould is a regular and known issue. While many traditional
indigenous building techniques were once resilient, changes in custodianship, changes
in climate, rainfall and topography immediately around some buildings has made them
increasingly vulnerable to disaster flood events. Increased urban growth causing
accumulated run-off of water, and even changes in ground absorption of moisture from
reduced forestation in proximity to sites are known contributing factors in the increased
moisture egress into built heritage sites. Globally, urban planning for hundred-year
floods is changing in recognition that excessive water events are no longer once in a
centaury event. Heritage buildings are vulnerable to flooding and issues of access,
staffing, funding and political expediency complicate efforts to mitigate the damage.
Buildings with applied surface design such as wall friezes, or wall-paper, can be
problematic, as it is often difficult to remediate the mould in a timely enough manner
to prevent irreparable damage. The clean up and conservation can take a prolonged
period of time, exposing workers to unacceptable repeat exposure to mould and spore
hazards. 1
It is important to understand the presence of mould can potentiate other exposure
hazards in a building by making that hazard mobile and increasing absorption in to the
body. Or example lead paints, toxic pigments such as mercury sulphide, cadmiums and
other heavy metals, once bound to a substrate can become airborne as the moulds break
down the binder (e.g. egg, animal glues, starch) and the moulds absorb the metal
1 The author respectfully wishes to acknowledge the death of her sister in law, Tania Gibbs at aged 34 from mould
infection to the lungs following a winter bout of influenza. Exposure occurred at work as a dog groomer, with
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particles once bound in the art work of the walls or friezes. The absorption of these
compounds by the body is also increased in the presence of mould. Proximity to heavy
metals when well bound is a fairly low risk, but when impacted by mould the risk rise
considerably. In some country’s workers lack personal protection equipment and
adequate knowledge to enable safe conservation of these heritage sites.
Growth of mould is dependent on a food source i.e. organic nutrient from the
substrate, this is commonly wall paper, painted surfaces, wood, paper, textiles, leather
and even straw, hair and other inclusions in traditional building materials. Mould
treatments of movable heritage commonly uses sunlight or a 70% ethanol: 30% v/v
water mix sprayed on the mould. This treatment uses the spore case’s own reflex to
open in the presence of water, at the same time, the presence of alcohol desiccates the
actual spores. While effective, this treatment is not always appropriate. 1 There can be
damaging effects resulting from using alcohol, causing dyes to bleed, pigment paint
binders to break down and the desiccating impact of alcohol can impact paper and
textiles, particularly leather and silk surfaces, leading to further staining and shrinkage
on drying. Treatment using exposure to sunlight requires over 15 minutes of strong
sunlight, possible for movable heritage for some sites and in some countries, but
sufficient sunlight is not always available in all locations or during all seasons. Further,
sunlight is not as effective in breaking spore cases filled with spores. In both the above
mould treatment options the mildew remains a persistent issue requiring additional
treatments in order to return aesthetic value. 2
Traditionally, air circulation is also used as the principle way of slowing mould
growth. Unfortunately, air circulation is also the principle mechanism responsible for
circulating and spreading mould spores. Many different treatments including vinegar,
alcohol, disinfectant and bleach have been recommended for treating mould in built
heritage. All methods leave a chemical residue which often does significant secondary
damage.
1 The author wishes to acknowledge that the use of ethanol is not allowed on religious grounds in some countries
and that the large amounts necessary to remediate some built spaces would be hazardous, intoxicating and
prohibitively expensive.
2 Aesthetic value is important to secure respect, funding, visitation and appreciation of cultural artistry.
3
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conservation purposes and is a very useful tool in the care of museum artifacts
collections and heritage buildings and sites. Ultraviolet light is used to examine art work
to induce visible fluorescence of some pigment’s moulds and binders. Conservators use
UV light to detect otherwise invisible marks and clues to forgeries and hidden
underwork in layers of paint or multiple over layers of varnish. The use of UVA is the
most common historically for this purpose and is referred to as black light or woods
light. UVA has been used as a sunlight substitute on bad weather days to expose mould
and the exposure time taught to be 15minutes per side. UVC is far more effective and
requires much less time to sterilize works so that the over all light exposure time is
reduced and the risk of damage is also reduced. Light energy breaks molecular bonds
to be sure, but mould is much more damaging and spreads in a very uncontrollable way
in the right conditions.
UVA penetrates deep into the dermis causing wrinkles and photo aging it will
transmit through glass. UVB impacts the surface of the skin and causes cancer but does
not transmit through glass. UVC is cancer causing mutating cell DNA. UVC does not
penetrate our atmosphere normally and therefore using UVC for sterilization is possible,
as no earth-bound micro organisms have resistance to it. UVC is a highly hazardous
form of radiation and as a result its application will have limitations in some
jurisdictions. UVC causes cancer due to high cell damage and mutation resulting from
exposure. Using UVC requires a strict protocol in the work place. For this reason,
formal accreditation for users is required.
The use of UVC for sterilization and sanitation of water, foods and air borne
pollutants has been widely investigated and researched in other sectors. The results of
this research have led to Endangered Heritage carrying out lab based experimentation
over the last 10 years, by way of using a UVC light source and exposing mould affected
artifacts for short exposure times.
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Mould treatment has been carried out in this way on an extensive variety of organic
materials from leather, paper, textiles, plastics, painted surfaces etc. Exposure time was
initially guided by exposure times found in water and air sanitation literature, with
exposures of between 15 and 25 seconds being used, depending on the visual
appearance of the object and how deeply the hyphae appeared to have penetrated.
Following exposure, items were brush vacuumed to remove mould hyphae and
associated soil. Post treatment the odor of mould has been found to be no longer evident.
The reinfection of mould has thus far not been reported on any artifacts. The author is
sure that clients possessing mould treated items would bring them back for follow up
treatment were mould to re-occur. Unfortunately, assumptions such as this are not
scientific, and thus it has been timely to do some checking on what has become a
common place remediation practice in order to verify the treatments efficacy.
In 2018 a series of experiments were carried out to develop a more precise protocol
and establish improved recommendations regarding exposure time.
5. Experimental design
Paper pellets dampened and infected with mould scraped from mouldy book spines
were weighed into 50gm quantities and placed in sterile polypropylene bags. A slit was
placed in the bag with a cover of micro-pore surgical tape, so as to allow air exchange
but without cross contamination occurring. Once mould had colonized on all of the
samples, the contents of the bags were placed in a glass dish and were then exposed to
UVC, with individual samples being exposed over a range of durations: five, ten, fifteen
and thirty seconds. The contents were returned to a new sterilized bag with micro pore
tape. The mound infested control was not exposed to UVC. Following exposure, the
bags were placed in conditions conducive to mould growth. The experiment was
repeated 5 times and the results were the same in all cases.
6. Results
It was anticipated that the mould regrowth would be varied according to exposure
time or, that there may be particular species of mould which remained active,
identifiable by the colour or location of the colony. The results showed that none of the
bags re-grew mould, except the non-UVC exposed control. Notably the characteristic
odor of fungi and mould was no longer evident in any of the exposed bags. The control
remained pungent. These results delievered little data upon which to extrapolate. No
experimental design expects 0 data from all samples. The experimental results do
explain why we have not had any reinfection of mould on artifacts treated in the lab
during conservation treatment.
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7. Observations
Over the course of using UVC in the last 10 years another observation in practice is
notable. The removal of the mildew and hyphae from the substrate has not required
mechanical or chemical treatment e.g. abrasion or bleaching, following exposure.
Simple brush vacuuming has been sufficient to remove the residue and in many cases
the resulting surface has little or no visual1 mildew staining. Black mould on textiles
remains the most problematic staining to remove. Further consultation with a
mycologist is necessary to understand the precise reaction that mould has when exposed
to UVC. It appears to recoil and loosen its attachment to the substrate in most cases.
It remains startling to the author that the results show near absolute removal and little
staining, requiring minimal secondary conservation treatment. Following UVC
exposure there is minimal damage and no odor of mould. The exposure time is also
short enough as to show no visible colour fading to the artifact.2
In recent months Endangered Heritage pty ltd has set up a small germicidal treatment
room with an installed UV light source. The source is switched from outside of the
room and the circuit has a red warning lamp mounted next to the door which is wired
in parallel with the switched circuit. If the exterior warning lamp is lit we know the
interior UVC light is active, significantly increasing the safety of staff. Germicidal units
are commercially available from suppliers but it has been found that they are too small
to be of use on heritage artifacts. Our treatment room can accommodate carpets,
garments and larger scale items.
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built heritage sites and the safety of conservation practitioners.
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It was hoped that by GA2020 in October it would be possible to disseminate this
research and call for partners within ICOMOS community to carry out further testing
in their own countries. Currently the author is working with Signify Pty Ltd 1 to
develop a protocol and accreditation for users in the heritage sector to increase safety
of this technology.
10. Summary
Scientific research is the search for solutions to problems, often in small incremental
steps. The use of UVC in laboratory conditions for over 10years developing a safe
workplace procedure and the consistent observation of mould remediation with
minimal impact on artifacts is a significant beginning.
The use of UVC air filtration systems in art store rooms and display areas with high
humidity, is highly recommended and a very cost-effective way of managing mould
without the damage of cyclic temperature and moisture conditions, common with air-
conditioning system.
The use of UVC light for mould remediation in built heritage is too simple and too
effective to ignore and partnered with fans, dehumidifiers, and air filtration can very
quickly create a safe working environment for conservators and heritage experts post
disaster. UVC accreditation is necessary for staff but once done the inclusion of UVC
LED globes (with accompanying personal protection screening masks etc) in disaster
kits should become standard practice.
The team at Endangered Heritage Pty Ltd are actively furthering this research and
hope that the quality of life of heritage staff are positively impacted by the results.
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• “Use of UVC in treating large volumes of museum and library artifacts post flood
disaster” Pearce, V and Colville, B
Acknowledgments
Simon O’Donnelly Operations leader Australia and New Zealand Signify Pty Ltd for
being so very encouraging and supporting the future of this research.
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efficacy of UVC LEDs 2020 Science Direct
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Florian, Mary-Lou E. Heritage Eaters: Insects and Fungi in Heritage Collections.
London: James and James Ltd., 1997.
Grant M S The use of Ultraviolet induced Visible Flourescence in the Examination of
Museum Objects Part 1 National Parks Service Conserve O Gram1/9 Dec 2000
Heseltine, E and Rosen J. WHO guidelines for indoor Air quality: dampness and
mould 2009 World Health Organization Europe.
Kleinheinz, GT Langolf BM. Englebert E Characterization of airborne fungal levels
after mold remediation 2006
XudongYang, YingWang, Photocatalytic effect on plasmid DNA damage under
different UV irradiation time Science Direct 2008.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.02.025
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ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
13.
PRESERVING BUILDING CHARACTER FOR CHARACTER
BUILDING AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN ANTIGUA AND
CLIFTON PARK IN BALTIMORE:
“TWO CASE STUDIES IN COMMUNITY ENGAGED
REPURPOSING OF PRIVATE ESTATES TO PEOPLE’S PALACES”
Abstract
Rising inequality across the world poses a critical challenge to the implementation
of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030. The legacy of slavery that shaped
intergenerational wealth disparity across the African diaspora anchors local mistrust of
globally regulated policy systems. Though many historic estates are repurposed to
museums for tourists and private event venues, each chooses to represent the history of
the space in its own way; and very few preserve and present the legacy of slavery.
Thinking historically in the present, these properties are functioning as stages for
reparation enhancing deeper understanding and respect for the African Diaspora.
Our paper examines two former estates, Antigua’s Government House in St. John’s,
and the Clifton Mansion in Baltimore, where custodians have engaged communities in
preserving the building character and present shared histories of the sites to build
character of marginalized citizens. Both properties serve as exemplary award-winning
models for cultural institutions across the world. They embody cutting edge practices
in low-cost conservation for empowerment, where the building character preservation
becomes a catalyst for character building of marginalized communities. The positive
impact of these approaches on tourism is obvious, particularly for sophisticated
travelers, who now gravitate toward destinations with inclusive approaches to
embracing complex, shared and contested histories. Particularly now, when the
pandemic and Black Lives Matters Movement have given us pause to rethink the
motivations behind encounters with other cultures.
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1. Case Study 1 - The Government House of Antigua and Barbuda:
The People’s Palace
Every house has a story, and behind the imposing facade and its creaky floors,
Government House shares a forward-looking narrative centered on the storied site of
Antigua and Barbuda’s “People’s Palace.” Once a symbol of British colonial oppression,
today’s Government House is a living testament to overcoming the adversity of slavery
to achieve a sense of national autonomy that nurtures a flourishing cultural identity.1
Today’s leaders in Antigua and Barbuda descend from the people who built the
structure at the dawn of the nineteenth century, establishing the property as a profound
site of Caribbean history with universal resonance. Situated in the capital city of St.
John’s, Government House was originally the principal seat of British colonial authority
in the Leeward Islands; and is noted as the largest wooden Georgian structure in Antigua,
and the primary seat of government power.
In telling the complex story of its historic, architectural, and aesthetic significance,
our narrative engages and honours all persons who have played a part, encompassing
indigenous Arawaks, Caribs, and enslaved Africans through the periods of colonialism,
slavery, emancipation, and independence. Through extensive research aided by the
miraculous survival of artifacts, archival papers, photographs, and oral histories, our
analysis offers a rare, empowering study of the population, and their journey toward
international excellence.
As with the resilient people who labored there, the Government House buildings and
the surrounding pastoral landscape have survived against all odds. Commissioned by
Ralph Payne (1739–1807), the first and last Baron Lavington, prior to beginning his
second tenure as Governor of the Leeward Islands in 1799, the main structure has
withstood fire, earthquakes, hurricanes, and now climate change.
Of perhaps greatest significance is the West Wing, a long masonry structure recently
identified as the largest and most intact slave quarters within the Caribbean region. The
long lists of enslaved persons from Antigua’s vast Carlisle estate, the ancestral family
seat of Lord Lavington, provides clues to those who built and lived in the lodgings
behind Government House. Their names are preserved at Yale University’s Beinecke
Library in eighteenth-century ledger books, and listed among common livestock as the
chattels of his family.2
1 The Conservation Management Plan for the Government House Restoration Initiative, © November
8, 2018, ISBN 978-0-578-41651-9, p. 1. Barbara Paca wishes to thank everyone who contributed to the
document that guided the achievements made at the Government House over the past six years.
2 For more information regarding Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Ms. Library lists of
enslaved persons owned by Lord Lavington, please refer to the, “Guide to the Ralph Payne, Baron
268
Figure 1: The Government House Restoration Initiative, prepared by Preservation
Green LLC, NYC. - © Photograph by Philip Logan, Architect
His lordship, it is said, was a very hospitable man, and very fond of splendour; his
Christmas balls and routs were upon the highest scale of magnificence; but he was
a great stickler for etiquette, and a firm upholder of difference of rank and colour.
It is asserted, that he would not upon any occasion, receive a letter or parcel from
the fingers of a black or coloured man, and in order to guard against such horrible
defilement, he had a golden instrument wrought something like a pair of sugar
tongs, with which he was accustomed to hold the presented article. In his
household he was also very particular. He had, of course, an immense number of
attendants, but he would not allow any of the black servants to wear shoes or
stockings, and consequently his ebon footmen used to stand behind his carriage
as it rolled along, with their naked legs shining like pillars of jet, from the butter
with which, in accordance to his excellency’s orders, they daily rubbed them. 1
Lavington Papers,” OSB MSS 138, which is an excellent finding aid prepared by Diane J. Ducharme in
March, 2009.
1 Attributed to Mrs. Flannigan, Antigua and the Antiguans: A full account of the Colony and its
Inhabitants from the Time of the Caribs to the Present Day. 2 Volumes. London, Saunders and Otley,
269
It was against this morally unsustainable backdrop created by Lord Lavington and
his supporters that abolition ensued, and a new nation was born in spite of their efforts.
In his second appointment as governor, Lord Lavington was brought back to Antigua
to pacify the fears of white planters who were worried about the abolition of slavery.
Planters were getting rich from sugar and the slave trade in Antigua against a backdrop
of environmental and social calamity. Earthquakes, fire, drought, and failed slave
rebellions plagued Antigua throughout the 18th century, forcing the population to focus
on day-to-day survival. Since the first major rebellion in 1729 and again in 1735, people
were restless and fearful of slave insurrections. By 1760 the first Methodist church
promoting education for people of color was established by Nathaniel Gilbert, who was
a Methodist and Speaker of the House of Assembly in Antigua.1 Lured by the promise
of a grand new Government House commissioned by a top English architect such as Sir
John Soane (1753–1837) or James Wyatt (1746–1813), he ruled with a bizarre opulence
that led to two lavish construction projects.2
Whilst awaiting the official building, Lavington opted to reside at the Deanery, a
spacious property near the land that eventually became the site of Government House.
Lavington demanded a two-storey addition be built on the property for extravagant
entertainments and relaxation as well as separate quarters for his private secretary.
Theoretically, Lavington was conducting the office of Governor from the land dedicated
to the mission of the Anglican church; however, it devolved into a spot of excessive
partying, with the Governor often too hungover or ill to report to work.
Recognizing the significant shortcomings of Lord Lavington, Treasurer Thomas
Norbury Kerby quietly began to purchase plots of land in 1805 located between the
town and the barracks and marching grounds. This strategic move led to the siting of
today’s Government House, and resulted from an understanding of the axis of power
that ran through the City of St. John’s: from the north to south there was the parsonage,
courthouse, and cathedral–and from the east to west lay the barracks, marching grounds
and plots of land along the old Barracks Land. 3
The English Bill to abolish slavery passed in February 1807, and with that an
increasing concern of how Antigua would remain economically viable. Against that
1844. Reprint, MacMillan Education Ltd., London, 1991, Vol. I, pp. 136-137.
1 Thomas Southey, The Chronological History of the West Indies [1827], p. 340.
2 National Archives of Antigua and Barbuda, ROE book 334B, Loc. NO HO1274, ff 103-105, May 21,
1801.
3 Vere Langford Oliver, The History of the Island of Antigua, one of the Leeward Caribbees in the West
Indies, from the first settlement in 1635 to the present time, London, Mitchell and Hughes, 1894, Vol II,
p. 246. Also, refer to NAAB, ROE books 335-337, Loc. NO HO1275 f. 37, 18 June 1805.
270
backdrop, Lord Lavington continued to hold fetes until he died at Government House
on 3 August 1807. 68 years of age, Lord Lavington should have been thinking of his
wife’s future; however, through his recklessness and opulent lifestyle, he left his estate
in financial ruin. Upon his death, his temporary structures were dismantled and attached
to a stately home on Norbury’s properties to create today’s Government House. It is
interesting to note that even though the slave trade had been abolished earlier that year,
there were many enslaved persons in Antigua over the next twenty-seven years,
including at Government House. Treasurer Kerby appointed “two trusty slaves” to live
on the property throughout the construction process, where they were expected to take
care of the property, preventing “any injury to the Buildings or Garden.”1
Ironically, Lavington was replaced by the noted abolitionist Sir Hugh Elliott, who
served as Governor of the Leeward Isles until 1814. After the abolition of slavery in
1834 and throughout the nineteenth century, Government House remained central to
social and political activities in Antigua and Barbuda, with governors rotating on
average every five to seven years. In a climate of relative political stability, the
governors and their staff were challenged in their role of protecting the site from fire
and extreme weather.
1 National Archives of Antigua and Barbuda, ROE book 337, Loc. NO HO1275, ff 12-15, April 6,
1809.
271
made a confession of his life of incarceration: “Being the only Governor you have had
who has been in prison, I naturally take an interest in that unfortunately necessary
institution and I hope that shortly we shall reform our prisons...Having worn chains
myself, I have had them abolished for good and all in our Colony.”1
Baldwin’s political views were in sharp contrast to his father Stanley Baldwin,
Conservative party leader and three-time Prime Minister to the Queen. And given his
sexual orientation, Baldwin’s personal life was far from that of a conventional colonial
governor. Once opening a speech with “Having worn chains myself,” Oliver Baldwin
identified himself as the only governor who knew what it was like to be imprisoned.
He was, in fact, incarcerated twice. First, when he was apprehended by Bolshevik
revolutionaries while fighting for the Russian Empire, and again, in Turkey, where it
was suspected that he was spying for the Russians.
Lord Baldwin’s Private Secretary, Ross Hutchinson, who was also openly gay, made
it his mission to document Baldwin’s empathetic role in empowering the
underrepresented. With Lord Baldwin’s blessing, he recorded critical inaugurations
held at Government House, including the Antigua Art Group, the first steel pan
performances (remarkable in a country where drumming was banned from times of
slavery), as well as true Antiguan Carnival in which the John Bull character was
accompanied by a Whip Man (essentially a white character being oppressed by a person
of color). Through images and writing, Private Secretary Hutchinson created an
inclusive account that was submitted as a screenplay to an agent in Haymarket, London,
but ultimately was not produced. His photograph albums portray Government Houses’
inclusive daily life activities and normal, respectful interaction among a diverse
population, with Baldwin quietly smiling in the background.2 The enduring tenure of
Baldwin and Hutchinson left a legacy beyond aesthetics and an acute understanding of
the importance of historic preservation: their commitment to improving the quality of
life for Antiguans and Barbudans endures to this day.
1 “General Legislative Council Speech by H.E., The Governor of the Leeward Isles, Lord Baldwin.”
December 8, 1948, Cambridge University Library, Rare Books and Ms., Add. 9735/2/7/vi.
2 Ross Hutchinson, “Leeward Letters: Being an epistolary account of some eighteen months in the
Leeward Islands as Private Secretary to His Excellency, The Governor, The Rt. Hon., The Earl Baldwin
of Bewdley.” Cambridge University Library, Rare Books and Ms., Add.9735/14/2/12.
272
House Restoration Initiative, which was officially launched by Prince Harry in
November 2016.
As the seat of the current Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney
Williams, Government House is where he fulfills his role as the representative of Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Head of State of Antigua and Barbuda. Working closely
with a supportive government, the property’s transformation is unparalleled in the
Caribbean as a model of collaboration in support of social cohesion.
Today the property is significant as one of only two properties in the Caribbean to
receive placement on the World Monument Fund’s Watch List (2018). This accolade
was achieved for its uniqueness as the most extensive surviving Georgian wooden
structure, slavery quarters, and historic fabric; however, the unique approach to
community building at all levels is largely behind the honor. Nearly every aspect of the
project reflects a will for social change and associated positive outcomes. Government
House is the first LEED-registered property in the region, and the Initiative exemplifies
the successful union of conservation, inclusion, and sustainability—setting standards in
cutting-edge conservation and for best practices to withstand severe weather events.
The Government House Restoration Initiative offers training programs for youth,
people with disabilities, older people who are unable to find jobs, professionals with an
interest in sharing their expertise, teachers, and the incarcerated. NY neurosurgeon Dr.
Caitlin Hoffman and landscape architect Dr. Barbara Paca designed a therapeutic
garden for the differently abled and persons who suffer from chronic stress disorders.
And this has been the site of a successful program with members of Her Majesty's
Prison Rehabilitation Programme in the building trades and historic preservation to
allow technical skills of the incarcerated to be developed for a stipend accessible upon
release, serving as a bridge to ease their re-integration into society.
The diverse team behind the success of the Government House project have worked
carefully to preserve not only the fabric of the building, but the spirit of Antiguans and
Barbudans. Thanks to thoughtful coordination, the community has remained engaged
through all phases of design, construction, and implementation. This collaboration is,
in itself, a healing process, as the community comes together to provide a brighter future
for all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda for generations to come. 1
1 Barbara Paca, The Conservation Management Plan for the Government House Restoration Initiative,
© November 8, 2018, ISBN 978-0-578-41651-9, p. 75.
273
Figure 2: Sir Sylven and Kathleen, Lady Walter in the dining room of the Government House.
The philosophy behind the project echoes the eloquent words of First Lady Obama
in 2016, when she gazed out the window of her home, which at that time was the White
House:
I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my
daughters, two beautiful intelligent black young women playing with their dogs on
the White House Lawn.1
1 Michelle Obama, Speech, Democratic national Convention in Philadelphia, July 25, 2016.
2 As cited in Lauren Emily Schiszik, Masters Thesis in Historic Preservation, The University of
Maryland College Park, 2010, p. 34.
274
Figure 3: Clifton Mansion, home of prosperous merchants located in one of the city's
most widely used public Park, was listed in 2007 on the Maryland's National Register
of Historic Places. - © Photo Peter Kurtze, 1995
Located inside Clifton Park on 2701 St. Lo Drive, the Clifton Mansion was built in
1790-1803 as a country home by Henry Thompson, a prominent Baltimore merchant.
He operated the roughly 260 acres around the country home as a farm worked by paid
employees, indentured servants and slaves.1 (See Detail 1872 Map “New and Enlarged
Map of Baltimore City, Including Hampden, Waverly, All the Parks, and a Miniature
Map of the State” published by John F. Weishampel Jr. Courtesy of Enoch Pratt Free
Library, Maryland’s State Library Resource Center, Baltimore, Maryland).
1 “Best Park: Clifton Park”. In Baltimore City Paper, September 17, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2020:
https://wp.issuu.com/citypaper/docs/v32_38_pt1/26.
2 National Register of Historic Places, Clifton Park, Baltimore, (Independent City), Maryland, National
Register # 07000941, Section 8, 3, citing Baltimore County Land Records, Liber TK 306, Folio 393.
275
Union during the Civil War, he turned the farm landscape to an English garden, and the
homestead into a Mansion in an Italian Renaissance style.
The property assessment conducted in 1818 shows that Thompson owned ten slaves.
While there is thorough documentation of the Clifton Mansion and the associated
historic structures of the Clifton Park, archaeological survey is inconclusive and slave
housing and burial sites are not accounted for in the documentary records of the Estate.
Another undervalued asset on the original Estate is St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery,
located within Clifton Park. The 5-acre parcel is not owned by the city and so is not
part of the City’s Master Plan for Clifton Park, and is not interpreted or maintained by
the city. This Catholic cemetery was disturbed when the golf course was expanded by
the city, bodies were not reinterred, and headstones were removed. The cemetery was
also subjected to vandalism in the 1960s and has the potential for being the first
archaeological site in the park worthy of being listed with the Maryland Historical Trust.
The magnificent estate of Clifton, just on the eastern suburbs of the city, and
containing four hundred acres, is to be the site of a university, endowed with
probably three million dollars. Clifton is the finest private property in the
neighborhood of Baltimore…It is already parked out, and is prepared, with but
little change, to become the free pleasure-ground it is ultimately to be, by winding
paths and wooded slopes, tree-dotted meadows, exotic evergreens almost
unsurpassed anywhere in the United States in size and symmetry, and vast ranges
of conservatories filled with rarest flowers. In the midst of such surroundings will
stand the buildings of the university, within the design of which is included a Law,
Medical, Classical, and Agricultural School.1
In 1895, the trustees of the Johns Hopkins University sold the remainder of Clifton
Park to the City of Baltimore, having chosen another site for the University, on the
grounds of another historic estate – Homewood. The 1896 Bromley Atlas depicts the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Belt Line cutting across the southern portion of the park,
and this was likely constructed while the University owned the property. For the first
decade of city ownership, the park seems to have simply been used in the same manner
that it was when it was owned by the University – that is, as a farm and semi-formal
park.
In 1904, the city hired the Olmsted Brothers firm to develop a plan for a system of
city parks. The Report Upon the Development of Public Grounds for Greater Baltimore
outlined a plan for Baltimore ‘s parks that was akin to Boston ‘s Emerald Necklace, a
network of six types of parks. While the city ‘s anchor parks, Druid Hill, Clifton, and
Patterson, would be linked by smaller parks and parkways, the report did not have any
great recommendations for within the grounds of Clifton Park. In 1916 and 1917, the
City constructed a 18-hole golf course and the country ‘s largest concrete swimming
pool, both publicly accessible. In 1962, Lake Clifton was filled in for the construction
of Lake Clifton High School. Today, two schools use the building. The Public Parks
Commission maintained extensive records of their additions and alteration to their
parks, and these were published in annual reports.
The selection of another site for the Johns Hopkins University has had a negative
impact on the adjacent neighborhoods, as the alternative anchor institution, Morgan
State University is further away to the North and not in walking distance. While the
1 Appleton's Journal of Literature, Science, and Art., Vol. 9, No. 197-223, 1873 (New York: D.
Appleton and Company) 596. As cited in Schiszik, Op.Cit., p. 64.
277
median price of homes in the Homewood neighborhood (site of the JHU) is $500,00,
the CHM neighborhood has high vacancies and median price of homes at $30,000. The
City’s ownership of the former Estate has led to the decline in property values around
Clifton Park and its leasing the Clifton Mansion to a non-profit organization, Civic
Works, is meant to mitigate the stabilization of these “blighted” neighborhoods. Since
becoming a tenant at Clifton, Civic Works has procured over $250,000 in funds to
restore the building from the Maryland General Assembly, the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, and the Maryland Historical Trust. Civic Works hired Chris
Wilson to oversee the mansion ‘s restorations,1 while focusing on the Park as a site for
agriculture-led social justice programs.
3. Conclusion
The Government House and Clifton Mansion stand proudly as defiant models of
confident independence within the diaspora. Though these historic places belonged to
the ruling and aristocratic elites, the present custodians acknowledge past inequities
charting a path forward to reconcile racial parities in a polarizing world. The reason
these two historic places are successful is because each has taken a private estate and
made it publicly accessible. Engaging the city residents and relation-holders in the
process of restoration and rehabilitation, the present custodians integrate cultural
resource preservation with capacity-building activities that enhance economic and
resilience of local communities.
Both properties have contributed to increasing access to culture for everyone,
through the enhancement of cultural infrastructure at neighborhood level, the
development of education opportunities and the promotion of specific programs for
disadvantaged groups. Both serve as models for cultural institutions across the world
of lower cost conservation for empowerment, where the building character preservation
becomes a catalyst for character building of marginalized communities.
The right to cultural heritage, diversity and creativity are core components of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030. Both historic places we examined have
used exclusive architecture to conduct inclusive activities that involve artists and
professionals, making accessible participation in cultural life for citizens of all ages,
gender, class and race. The positive impact of these approaches on tourism is obvious,
particularly for sophisticated travelers, who now gravitate toward destinations with
inclusive approaches to embracing complex, shared and contested histories.
278
Acknowledgements
Barbara Paca would like to thank His Excellency, Sir Rodney Williams, for inviting
me to Government House with Sir Selvyn and Kathleen, Lady Walter in 2014. Over the
past six years it has been a privilege to work with Their Excellencies, both of whom are
visionaries, and their excellent staff in collaborating on their wish to open up the
property to the people of Antigua and Barbuda as well as visitors. Partnering with
Antiguan and Barbudan professionals, citizens, and public servants has been an
experience I shall always treasure. Their Excellencies have created an atmosphere of
warmth and inclusion, and the Government House family embraces all who enter
through the gates. Equally, it has been a privilege to work alongside members of the
international team, who have proven worthy collaborators as well.
Samia Rab Kirchner would like to thank Morgan State University students for their
continued participation in guiding participatory design process in Baltimore City
neighborhoods, Mr. John Cikot of Civic Works for allowing us to use the Clifton
Mansion for community-engagement, and Mr. Mark Washington of CHM
Neighborhood Association for partnering to connect students and residents at the
Clifton Mansion.
Reference List
Paca, Barbara. 2018. “The Conservation Management Plan for the Government House
Restoration Initiative”, © November 8, 2018, ISBN 978-0-578-41651-9.
Appleton's Journal of Literature, Science, and Art., New York: D. Appleton and
Company. Vol. 9, No. 197-223, 1873
“Best Park: Clifton Park.” 2018. In Baltimore City Paper, September 17. Retrieved
June 18, 2020
https://wp.issuu.com/citypaper/docs/v32_38_pt1/26.
National Register of Historic Places, Clifton Park, Baltimore, (Independent City),
Maryland, National Register # 07000941, Section 8, 3, citing Baltimore County
Land Records, Liber TK 306, Folio 393.
Schiszik, Lauren Emily. 2010. Masters Thesis in Historic Preservation, The
University of Maryland College Park
279
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
14.
POST-DISASTER EMERGENCY TREATMENT PRINCIPLE AND
PROCEDURE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR WIDE-RANGE
MAJOR EARTHQUAKE-
THE 921 EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE IN TAIWAN
Abstract
When a major earthquake occurs, the national disaster relief system is often unable
to integrate with the cultural heritage disaster prevention system immediately and
effectively, resulting in serious losses of cultural heritage; this article will establish
disaster assessment and rescue procedure to achieve effective emergency treatment of
cultural heritage after major earthquakes. This research is based on the experience of
the 921 Earthquake in 1999. Through the review of legislation and regulations,
literature review, case analysis, and expert interviews, the research focuses on the
emergency treatment procedure for each stage after the major earthquake.
The study found that the emergency treatment of cultural heritage after major
earthquakes should be incorporated into the national disaster prevention and relief
system, including the completeness of legislation and regulations, the establishment of
administrative procedure, the standardization of personnel and execution tools, etc.
280
1. Introduction
The earthquake on 21 September 1999, caused comprehensive damage to the large
area of Taiwan. The first-time rescue and the restoration of life-saving and life-saving
systems (transportation, water, electricity, etc.) were given priority. Relatively
disadvantaged cultural heritage did not rank among the priority rescue. Similar
examples are not uncommon in countries around the world, such as the 2015 earthquake
in Kathmandu, Nepal.
When the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act was amended in 2005, the daily
management and maintenance of cultural heritage and disaster prevention have been
continuously strengthened through legislation and partition mechanism1. The Cultural
Heritage Safeguard Program since 2016 has further promoted the integration of
agencies and the implementation of the divisional work at the county and city level2.
1 In 2010, the Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture had planned six-partition professional service centers
aiming to promote the daily management and maintenance of cultural heritage in each county and city through the
regular visitation. Since 2015, there are five partition centers conducting the monthly visitations to national
Cultural Heritage’ according to three aspects of ‘building a disaster prevention and preparation mechanism’,
‘promoting the integration of disaster prevention technology’ and ‘deepening the cultural heritage safeguard
network’. The above combines with the resources from the Ministry of Interior's fire and police departments to
assist local governments in conducting the exercises of disaster prevention on historical sites, setting up patrol
281
The above works mainly focused on disaster prevention for the buildings or settlements
which are the listed heritage. By dealing with the hazard like the 921 Earthquake, it is
critical to include the issue of wide-range major disaster into the current legislation and
administrative system of emergency treatment. The Principle and Execution Procedure
of Emergency Treatment for Cultural Heritage After Major Earthquakes are in demand.
The main content of the emergency treatment principle and execution procedure means
to achieve the following state:
2. Legislation Framework
At present, when cultural heritage faces major disasters, the actions can be
implemented according to the relevant regulations in the ‘Disaster Prevention and
Protection Act System’ and the ‘Cultural Heritage Preservation Act System’.
boxes, and establishing monitoring mechanisms to strengthen the night safeguard. It is expected to decrease the
number of cases in damaging cultural heritage but also sustain the value of cultural heritage.
1 Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of Interior (2009). The Rapid-assessment Regulations for
282
temporarily suspended (yellow sign)’, ‘Safe buildings can be used (green sign)’, but
the follow-up assessment was not included in the disaster prevention system.
The ‘Disaster Prevention and Protection Act’ was promulgated and implemented on
July 19, 2000. Article 3:
‘... 8. Other disasters: According to the Act or the Central Disaster Prevention and
Rescue Committee shall report to the designated central disaster prevention and
rescue business authority...’
In 2008, the Legislative Yuan passed the amendments to some provisions of the
Disaster Prevention and Protection Act in the third reading. The amendments added
Article 27, Item 4, and the Ministry of the Interior’s Construction Agency issued the
‘The Rapid-assessment Regulations for Disaster-damaging Buildings’ on 10, February
2009. The scope of emergency assessment of dangerous buildings has been expanded
from earthquakes to natural disasters and has become a form of legal provisions. On
12 March of the same year, the ‘The Rapid-notification Sheet of The Disaster-
damaging Buildings’, ‘The Rapid- assessment Detail Sheet of The Disaster-damaging
Buildings’, ‘The Rapid- assessment Sheet of The Disaster-damaging Buildings’, and
‘The Rapid- assessment Danger Sign of The Disaster-damaging Buildings (Yellow
Danger Sign)’ and ‘The Rapid- assessment Danger Sign of The Disaster-damaging
Buildings (Red Danger Sign)’ to enable emergency assessors to conduct assessments
according to the form. Another Article 36:
283
problems caused by the earthquake, there were two important changes in the
amendment of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act in the same year. First, modern
construction methods were allowed when necessary for the restoration of historic sites.
Second, cultural heritage is added to historical buildings. Article 30-1 stipulates that
‘if necessary, modern technology and construction methods may be used to increase
the functions of earthquake prevention, disaster prevention, and moth prevention when
the restoration plan is proposed.’ And Article 30 bis stipulates that ‘Major disasters
shall be handled. For the emergency restoration of historic sites, the municipality and
county (city) governments where the historic sites are located shall submit rescue plans
within 30 days after the disaster, and put forward a reconstruction plan within six
months after the disaster, and send them to the central competent authority for review.’
In 2005, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act was first comprehensively revised,
emphasizing the implementation of the concept of preventive preservation, equal
emphasis on preservation and reuse, and parallel integration with relevant legislation
and policies. In 2017, the Ministry of Culture revised the ‘historical monuments,
monuments and settlement buildings’ Measures for Handling Major Disasters of
Groups’, the content of which is referred to Article 27, Paragraph 4 of the Cultural
Heritage Preservation Act: ‘The measures for handling major disasters of historical
sites, historic buildings, memorial buildings, and settlement buildings shall be
formulated by the central competent authority.’ Articles 4, 5, and 6 stipulate that after
a major disaster occurs, the competent authority shall investigate the disaster situation,
assist in drawing up emergency repair or restoration plans, etc., and shall consider
when proposing major disaster restoration plans based on Article 27 of the Cultural
Heritage Preservation Act with the maintenance of the value of the building and the
overall appearance of the surrounding environment.
284
Figure 1 Emergency treatment procedure for cultural heritage. Sourse: by the
authors.
However, the above emergency treatment process for the major disaster is designed
for a single building only. It is unable to be applied as an emergency treatment
procedure for large-scale disasters.
In the same year (2005), the Ministry of Culture revised Article 12 of the ‘Measures
for the Management and Maintenance of Historic Sites’, which stipulated that disaster
prevention plans should be formulated, including 1. Disaster risk assessment. 2.
Disaster prevention. 3. Disaster rescue. 4. Disaster prevention drills. The plan is
executed by the owner, user, or manager of the historic site as the convener, and a
disaster prevention group composed of the village (li) chief, residents, and social
justice and enthusiastic people in the place where the historic site is located. Guidance
of other disaster prevention authorities. Similarly, this item is only formulated for
single-building disasters and does not address the protection of regional disasters. The
content of this regulation continued to be used in the 2016 amendments without
adjustment.
285
follows:
286
Figure 2 The diagram of cultural heritage (in gray) post-disaster emergency
treatment system for the disaster-damaging buildings after major disasters. Sourse:
by the authors.
287
3.2 Establishing an Execution Framework of Emergency Treatment for
Wide-range Major Disaster
The emergency treatment plan is drawn up, taking the large-scale field as the
consideration, led by government agencies, and directing the municipal and county (city)
governments to carry out the emergency treatment procedure of the disaster-stricken
area. The emergency treatment plan should also be reviewed and revised from time to
time to make the plan It can better meet the needs of actual conditions. Additionally,
the emergency appraisers listed in the ‘The Rapid-assessment Regulations for Disaster-
damaging Buildings’ have the same qualifications as those of cultural heritage
emergency prospecting professionals. Therefore, they should coordinate the staffing
subordinates with the Construction and Development Agency to establish a roster of
appraisers and database.
In the face of a major earthquake, the execution procedure for the emergency site
survey of cultural heritage is as follows:
288
(5) Collect and report case repair plans.
(6) Coordination and integration of emergency repair cases.
4. Within 60 days (the local competent authority shall report to the central
competent authority):
(1) Collect reports from various regions and propose an overall recovery plan.
(2) Planning the follow-up work and putting forward overall recommendations.
Within six months after the disaster, the professional team for outsourcing the
‘repair plan’ commissioned by the individual or multiple cases will be
implemented after approval by the competent authority.
289
Figure 3 The diagram of emergency site survey of tangible cultural heritage after
earthquakes. Sourse: by the authors.
* The procedure shown in this figure is executed by the local competent authority, and they can
also be listed as work items through the intensive training of the district service center.
* A cultural heritage that is difficult to reach due to traffic and terrain are not subject to the
above time limit.
290
3.4 Establishing an Emergency Assessment for the Administrative
Principle of Execution1
By increasing the efficiency of professionals’ emergency mobilization to conduct
post-disasters emergency assessments for cultural heritage, cultural heritage
authorities at all levels should conduct disaster preparedness works as the daily routine,
such as establishing disaster relief hotlines, establishing emergency assessors' roster
and contact information, and establishing an inspection list of cultural heritage with
priority (such as the property with high-risk disaster factors of earthquakes,
insufficient personnel for management, and the high significance), preparing the
materials and equipment required for emergency assessment operations, and
establishing the disaster relief equipment and resources network. The above are all
indispensable tasks.
The emergency assessment procedure for cultural heritage after major disasters are
as follows: (Adjust according to actual conditions)
1 Refer to: Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior (2010). Textbook for Workshop for
291
According to the emergency assessment operation of the execution procedure, the
procedure of the emergency treatment execution procedure within seven days is
proposed, as shown in Figure 4:
Figure 4 The execution procedure of emergency treatment for cultural heritage after
major earthquakes. Sourse: by the authors.
292
4. Planning the Principle of Emergency Assessment Training
4.1 Personnel qualifications
1. General staff
2. Professionals
4.2 Targets
1 Designated and registered monuments, historical buildings, and memorial buildings.
2 The registered community buildings (overall and sub-building assessment).
4.3 Partition grouping and training
Compile the partitions of responsibility based on counties and cities; conduct
emergency assessment tasks, operation methods and practical exercises.
293
4.5 Expected Outcomes
1 Establish, review, and update the roster and database of emergency assessors as
the basis for preparing for mobilization, grouping mechanisms, and operating
procedure.
2 Implement the spirit of preservation of cultural heritage and effectively combine
all available resources to give full play to the functions of disaster prevention
and relief.
4.6 Establish basic files and responsibility area
For the above two types of targets, the competent authority shall establish the
following basic files before the disaster:
5. Conclusion
The principle developed in this study is prepared for the post-disaster immediate
investigation, research, assessment, and emergency treatment after major earthquakes.
It is recommended to formulate the ‘Principle and Execution Procedure of Emergency
Treatment for Cultural Heritage After Major Earthquakes’ based on Article 27 of the
Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. This study aims to contribute to propose an
administrative guidance document as the reference for the competent authorities at all
levels. The conclusions are as below:
1. Integration of relevant departments for disaster prevention of cultural heritage
after major disasters
This research is the subject of cultural heritage management, maintenance, and
emergency treatment, and should be integrated with the system at the
implementation level. It is recommended to establish a communication
mechanism with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Construction, and jointly
establish a roster and database of assessors, so that cooperation can be carried out
quickly when a major disaster occurs.
2. Integration of emergency assessment data of cultural heritage
The results of this study suggest that through the Cultural Heritage Safeguard
Program, the systems of various large and small partitions should be assisted in
the review, assessment, and adjustment, and the ‘management maintenance plan’
should be included and revised. It mainly focuses on the adjustment of three parts:
the emergency treatment plan, management organization and exercise training.
294
3. Integration of emergency assessment training
In the management and maintenance of various education and training content,
situational exercises based on the information provided in this research can be
added, and demonstration plans can also be considered to strengthen promotion
when necessary.
The study argues that through continuous training, we can integrate forces from every
field to provide executable tools for the initial assessment and rescue of cultural heritage
after major earthquakes.
Reference List
Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of Interior (1999). Regulations on the
Classification and Assessment of Disaster-damaging Buildings in the Areas
Affected by the 921 Earthquake, 1 October 1999.
Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of Interior (2009). The Rapid-notification
Sheet of The Disaster-damaging Buildings; The Rapid- assessment Detail Sheet of
The Disaster-damaging Buildings; The Rapid- assessment Sheet of The Disaster-
damaging Buildings, 12 March 2009.
Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of Interior (2009). The Rapid-assessment
Regulations for Earthquake-damaging Buildings, Ministry of Interior
Construction, 10 February 2009.
Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior (2010). Textbook for
Workshop for Emergency Assessment Operators of Disaster-damaging Buildings
after Disasters.
Ministry of Culture (2016). Cultural Heritage Conservation Act, 27 July 2016.
Ministry of Culture (2017). Measures for Dealing with Major Disasters of Historic
Sites and Historic Buildings, Memorial Buildings and Settlement Buildings, 27
July 2017.
Ministry of Culture (2017). Measures for the Management and Maintenance of Historic
Sites, 27 July 2017.
Ministry of Interior (2017). Criteria for Emergency Identification of Disaster-damaging
Buildings after Earthquake Disasters, 2 October 2017.
Ministry of Interior (2019). Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, 22 May 2019.
Provisional Office of National Center for Cultural Heritage (2000). Preliminary
Investigation Report on the Earthquake Disasters of Historic Sites and Historic
Buildings of the Jiji Earthquake in Taiwan in 1999, August 2000.
295
ICOMOS GA2020 - 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
I I.
Selected Abstracts
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for
Climate Change
296
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
1.
Climate Change of Pollution and its destructive effect on Mechanical
and Physical Prosperities of Historical Albumin Photographs Prints
Abstract
This paper presents a study of the result of changing the mechanical and physical
properties of Black and White Silver Albumin Photographs Prints due to exposure to
air pollution gases. The test material used is black-and-white silver albumin
photographic paper. Different properties and characteristics of the prints have then been
measured and compared before and after the exposing. Mechanical and physical
performance was also investigated. Tensile strength, elongation percentage, and
resistance breakout force and tear have been determined. Identify change in functional
groups by using FT-IR ATR. Learn about the change in surface morphology and
chemical composition of components by using SEM-ADX. The obtained results
indicate a certain change in the mechanical physical properties of the supporting paper,
which may probably increase with time.
297
2.
TOURISM AND HERITAGE IN MALLORCA: THE FINE LINE
BETWEEN SUCCESS AND DISASTER
Bartomeu Deya
Economist, company owner, Can Det. Mallorca (Spain)
Abstract
The key concepts regarding cultural landscapes are connected to the practical
management of the rural cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana. It was declared
World Heritage mainly due to the agricultural stone building and the water channeling
systems. The level of protection of the area is very strict but over the last 40 years it has
suffered a decrease in agricultural profitability. Many inhabitants have left their rural
activities to work in growing sectors such as tourism. The main challenge is that despite
the fact that these landscapes have contributed immensely to the island’s attraction as a
tourism destination (compensating for the crowded tourist resorts), the land owners
“stakeholders” have received only a very small part of the income. There are areas that
have been completely abandoned.
The only way to improve local economy is related to the local products. The aim is
to foster products for both locals and tourists. Aresilient approach is the main challenge.
Any profitable model needs to adopt new technologies and harvesting systems, but
authenticity is vital for the positioning of the products in the market.
Some clear examples will be demonstrated to show how to improve the economic
viability of small farms at this cultural landscape in the future.
Recent published studies on Tourism Congestion Management and Carrying
Capacity are mentioned in order to justify the proposed (sustainable) Tourism Strategy
for this Cultural Landscape.
A personal example of agriculture-tourism approach will be explained. The paper’s
author is an active stakeholder of this cultural landscape. He owns a 400 years old
family business which harvests ancient olive groves with olive oil production using
traditional systems. The aim is to demonstrate how a survival plan can be achieved
despite the difficulties that imply the differences between rural and urban society.
298
3.
DOCUMENTATION: A MILESTONE TO KNOW, PROTECT, AND
SHARE CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSETS.
Abstract
299
4.
“THE OLD LAND AND THE SEA. THE CARIBBEAN GENIUS
LOCI AND CLIMATE CHANGE”.
(LAC PANEL: CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DISASTERS)
Angela Rojas
Professor, ICOMOS Cuba / Univesidad Tecnológica de La Habana
Abstract
Beaches and waterfronts constitute a fundamental part of the spirit of the Great
Caribbean. Their importance is not only geographical, functional or touristic, but they
are linked to the culture of the region, to the ways of life, to the intangible heritage but
also, as landscapes, to the pristine physical attributes, even, in many cases, to the built
heritage as well as to historical facts that, since centuries ago have been relevant. The
concept of the beach in the Caribbean has been more linked to leisure and festivities
than to sports, while the waterfront has been both a meeting place and a place of conflict.
But always a recurrent image.
The region has always suffered aggressive hurricanes and floods, some of which are
part of a dramatic collective memory, but climate change has increased aggression until
it reaches devastating situations.
This presentation aims to show some examples of adaptability and mitigation that allow
us to ask questions related to the possible effects on integrity and authenticity derived
from technical solutions characterized by a perhaps excessively naive or simplistic
approach.
There are cases of beaches in which built heritage has been demolished to protect the
strip of sand, but resulted in loss of integrity, affected by development of tourism;
proposals for dikes and other containment elements that, rather than acting against
floods, would become examples of author architecture. Likewise, positive examples of
heritage conservation of waterfronts will be presented, which at the same time
constitute a valid response to climate change.
In summary, the basic idea of the presentation is to show that fighting climate change
does not mean forgetting heritage, but to learn from it.
300
5.
ASSESSING VULNERABILITIES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
MUSEUMS
Abstract
Archaeological sites have been increasingly deteriorated or lost due to natural events
(e.g., earthquakes, floods) and human-induced factors (e.g., deliberate destruction,
mass tourism) in many places. The extent of the damage of an archaeological site as a
result of its exposure to one of these hazards is directly related with its level of
vulnerability (i.e., susceptibility) to that hazard. Prevention and mitigation of damage
depend on informed judgments about all factors contributing to the adverse impacts of
hazards. Therefore, assessing vulnerabilities is a critical aspect of risk prevention and
mitigation activities. Besides, vulnerability assessments should be carried out not only
on a site scale but also on larger scales in order to manage risks, which affect large areas
(e.g. earthquake, flood) and multiple sites, through upstream decision-making.
Focusing on archaeological site museums (ASM), this paper aims to present a
vulnerability assessment methodology as a decision-support tool for heritage
management at a provincial level. An indicator-based methodology is developed by
taking into account that the vulnerability of an archaeological site may result from its
physical characteristics, managerial and contextual factors. The proposed methodology
combines spatial, quantitative, and qualitative analyses to assess vulnerabilities. The
methodology was tested by conducting a research in 12 ASM in Izmir, Turkey. The
study area possesses traces of various Anatolian civilizations, including two World
Heritage Sites: Pergamon and Ephesus. In this paper, hazards threatening
archaeological sites are introduced. Various factors that increase vulnerabilities of ASM
have been identified and a methodology for evaluating these factors is proposed. The
results and how this approach can contribute to the risk management of ASM have been
discussed. Given the complexity of factors affecting vulnerabilities, this approach can
support decision-making processes at an upstream level for management of ASM. This
research promises its generic applicability across a range of historic environments.
301
ICOMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
A. Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management and Resilience for Climate
Change
6.
ROLE OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, BOTH
NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE, IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES, CASE- CHITPORE, KOLKATA.
Sukrit Sen
Student, Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University, India
Abstract
Tangible and Intangible linkages are a highly discussed heritage discourse in present
times, but I still think that the concept needs to be relooked at, and these linkages must
be implemented in heritage management practices today.
Disaster Management is another very important sector in the field and as mentioned
above that too has been looked at with a very “built” point of view and even today there
is a lack of legal frameworks for the protection of historic precincts not only to
impending disasters but also for phases both during emergencies and post disaster, that
take intangible aspects into consideration. My paper however focuses on looking at a
more integrated approach to these management practices by looking at the role of
intangible cultural heritage both as a risk and a component to mitigate risks in pre and
post disaster situations with the case of Chitpore, a heritage precinct in Calcutta, India.
Various intangible aspects and practices are directly responsible in generating
livelihoods and hence an important aspect to help mitigate risks and help in recovery in
post disaster situations. My research particularly tries to study how historic practices
prevalent in Chitpur has survived, adapted and contributed to disaster risks and might
also play a role in post disaster resiliency. Further it studies how these aspects respond
to the historic built fabric of the area and how that too has adapted over the years to
survive, in spite of major socio-economic pressures like urbanisation and modernisation.
Finally, this research being a heritage management masters thesis, looks at how the
tangible and intangible aspects can be integrated to propose strategies to manage,
mitigate and adapt to disaster risks with the help of the capacities present on site. This
will further help suggest methodologies by which the same concept can be looked at
for global disaster management practices.
302
7.
IRELAND’S CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PLAN FOR
BUILT AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE
Jacqui Donnelly
Senior Architect, Built Heritage Policy, Department of Culture, Heritage and the
Gaeltacht, Government of Ireland
Abstract
In October 2019, the Government of Ireland published nine climate change sectoral
adaptation plans prepared by seven different government departments as part of the
National Adaptation Framework (NAF). The sectors included cover natural and cultural
capital, critical infrastructure, water resource, flood risk management and public health,
and set out the climate adaptation measures necessary to ensure that the state is ready
to protect people from the negative effects of climate change in Ireland and the steps
needed to limit any damage caused. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the
Gaeltacht, in recognition of the significance of adaptation planning to its work,
published the Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological
Heritage as part of the NAF.
The architectural and archaeological heritage is a finite and irreplaceable resource.
While many of our historic buildings, archaeological sites and monuments have
survived for centuries, there can be no denying the risks that a changing climate poses
to this heritage. The priority risks identified for Ireland’s built heritage include inland
and coastal flooding, storm damage, coastal erosion, soil movement, pest and
microbiological infestation, and wildfire. The impacts may be both immediate and
cumulative. The built heritage is also vulnerable to maladaptation, that is, the
inadvertent loss or damage to structures and sites during adaptation works.
The intention of the Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and
Archaeological Heritage is to address built heritage in the widest sense and covers not
only structures and sites subject to statutory protection, but all man-made assets that
have historical, aesthetic and cultural value. The strategy and actions of the Plan aim to
build adaptive capacity within the sector and to reduce the vulnerability of built and
archaeological heritage to climate change. The Plan identifies leading actors and
stakeholders for each action together with an indicative timescale and will be reviewed
and updated at regular intervals.
The Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological
Heritage can be viewed and downloaded from the website of the Department of Culture,
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Heritage and the Gaeltacht: https://www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/climate-change/the-built-
and-archaeological-heritage-climate-change-sectoral-adaptation-plan/
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8.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES INTEGRATING
STAKEHOLDERS IN A RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN:
“HUMBERSTONE AND SANTA LAURA SALTPETER WORKS,
CHILE.”
Marcela Hurtado
Dr. Architect. Professor, Technical University Federico Santa María, Valparaíso Chile
Abstract
In 2016 it started the design of the first Risk Management Plan for a World Heritage
Site in Chile: Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, a former industrial
complex located in the Atacama Desert, north region of Chile. The process was
conducted by the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, and
developed by Technical University Federico Santa María. The methodological
guidelines used were those suggested by the specialized agencies (UNESCO, ICOMOS,
ICCROM), with the necessary adaptations, according to the conditions of the case and
the associated groups. The site had enough information and data that facilitated part of
the process, and especially all the support and collaboration of the site manager. The
most challenging aspect during all stages of the process (diagnosis, proposal and
implementation) was the work with the different stakeholders linked to the site. The
challenge was to define a model that allowed them to work articulated among
themselves, according to their abilities, interests, and responsibilities. On the one hand,
each group had knowledge of the site, from their vision and particular experience. On
the other hand, these groups had no experience of working together and more specific,
working in risk management for heritage sites. However, after several workshops and
meetings, with much collaboration and interest from them, it was possible to define a
model that articulated the groups, defining specific roles. Finally, at the implementation
stage - currently underway - the effectiveness of the proposed model has been verified.
Critical aspects have been identified and adjustments have been made to facilitate
proper implementation. This experience will serve for the work that is being developed
in other Chilean World Heritage Sites.
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9.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE URGENCY OF MANAGING
RISKS OF QHAPAQ ÑAN, A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Claudia González-Muzzio
Consultant / CEO, Ambito Consultores Ltd.
Abstract
The complexity of the management of Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Main Road (QÑ), is
related -among multiple factors- to the diversity of geographical siting and the
constructive solutions of the roads and sites that comprise it as well as its condition of
ruin, with a high environmental fragility and exposure to geological and
hydrometeorological hazards, exacerbated by climate change. Several extreme events
occurred in Chile have revealed the urgency of risk management in this heritage site, a
situation exposed by UNESCO requesting the States Parties to show progress at the end
of 2020. Although the documents developed by Chile for the nomination of QÑ to the
World Heritage List included an evaluation and zoning of hazards affecting the road
segments and archaeological sites, the analysis covered mainly the site and its nearest
surrounding, according to which a series of measures were proposed to reduce its
vulnerability both in the Conservation Plan and the risk management program of the
Management Plan, none of which have been implemented so far. In the light of extreme
hydrometeorological events that occurred in 2015 and 2017 that affected the Atacama
Region, and in 2019 in Arica - Parinacota and Antofagasta regions, the risk is reassessed
in a sample of roads and sites of QÑ-Chile integrating different territorial scales of
analysis. In addition, a risk assessment sheet is prepared based on the review of others
developed for Chilean World Heritage (WH) sites and the one proposed by QÑ-Peru
for the whole site. It is hoped that this will contribute to prioritize the risk management
of QÑ in Chile based on concrete and current data as well as contributing to a broader
methodological discussion on how to address the risk of this heritage site taking into
account its particularities and the impact of climate change.
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10.
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DRM SYSTEM FOR
CULTURAL HERITAGE –
“Case Study on Georgia”
Manana Tevzadze
Secretary, ICOMOS Georgia, Blue Shield International
Abstract
My paper talks about the creation of a system for disaster risk management of cultural
heritage and in particular, it discusses the case study from Georgia.
The paper first describes the existing system and some of the identified challenges in
it. To do so, it reviews the results of a study and a situation analysis undertaken by the
Georgian National Committee of the Blue Shield (GNCBS). Further on, the paper
describes the strategy developed by the same organization in cooperation with the
Ministry of Culture and Monuments’ Protection of Georgia to reform the system.
Besides, it also lists the concrete actions taken by the NGO towards facilitation of
the process. It refers to the example from Italy where the heritage disaster risk
management component was incorporated in the work of the civil protection agencies
in order to analyze the replication of the process in the Georgian context. The paper
talks about the efforts by GNCBS of including a variety of stakeholders in the
discussion and in more detail, it explains the concrete plan for creating a civil-military
task force for the protection of cultural heritage in times of crisis in Georgia. This task
force is planned to be the very first multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral group to work
on the above issues (to be created within the Aliph foundation funded project taking
place in Gori, Georgia in the next 2 years). The paper defines the short-term and long-
term goals of the group which will, on one hand work on the very first disaster risk
management plan for a cultural institution in Georgia, and on the other hand, develop
the sustainable system for DRM for cultural heritage in Georgia.
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11.
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT RENOVATIONS
OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS UNDER CONSIDERATION OF
THE CHANGING CLIMATE
Franziska Haas
Researcher, Eurac Research, Bolzano/Bozen
Abstract
Historical buildings are made responsible for a large part of the CO2 emissions.
Therefore, their renovation is of high importance with regard to the achievement of
climate targets. However, especially when it comes to the energy efficiency of historic
buildings, appropriate solutions must be found that not only ensure a sustainable use
with adequate comfort conditions, but also protect the historic structure from any
damage. In the meantime, it has become widely accepted to perform complex
hygrothermal calculations for energetic interventions at historic buildings and
monuments in order to verify possible solutions. In her PhD thesis at the Eurac
Research/Politecnico di Milano, Lingjun Hao goes one step further and includes future
climate forecasts in her considerations of the historical building stock of South Tyrol.
She proposes a methodology based on the analysis of local weather conditions and the
identification of homogenous climatic zones to simulate the future hygrothermal
performance of traditional constructions with interior insulation. Based on the research
at Eurac, the presentation will provide an overview of the climate parameters that
influence in particular the risk assessment for measures at historic buildings and will
provide concrete simulation results to verify this. The results of this research can
support better decision making in order to reduce energy use while adapting historic
buildings for future climate.
The presentation will be prepared together with my colleagues Daniel Herrera,
Lingjun Hao and Alexandra Troi.
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12.
MAKING IT SIMPLE: RETOOLING CLIMATE RISK
ASSESSMENT IN CULTURAL BUILT HERITAGE FOR
CLIMATE ACTION IN BADAGRY (NIGERIA)
Abstract
The evidence of climate risk to cultural built heritage is overwhelming and there is
considerable consensus across heritage professionals and researchers on the importance
of understanding the complex nature of the challenges of climate change to cultural
built heritage. Therefore, assessing the risk of climate change in built heritage is a vital
and complicated but not enough to understand and take actions addressing the risks.
Such complexities are due to reliant on scientific methods in analyzing the changes in
climate, which are difficult to understand by local communities. This results in non-
involvement of people from local communities of cultural built heritage in analyzing,
anticipating the risks, taking decisions and implementing climate actions. This paper,
therefore, investigates the climate risks facing the built heritage in Badagry and
develops actions to address the risks through semi-structured interviews and focus
discussions with cultural heritage experts and Badagry community. The paper adopted
the ‘ABC’ method of heritage risk management to investigate the risks of changes in
rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind, which are the main climate elements affecting
Badagry. The ‘ABC’ method, developed by the International Centre for the Study of
the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and Canadian
Conservation Institute (CCI), has five basic steps to establish the context of the built
heritage, identify, analyze, evaluate and treat risks. The findings emphasised that
adapting cultural built heritage to the impacts of climate change will not only protect
the values and significances of the heritage for future generation but also improve the
awareness of the community to their environment and help to create community-based
actions that will involve all stakeholders. The paper, therefore, argues that the complex
nature of climate change risks to cultural built heritage requires the involvement of all
stakeholders with direct and indirect connections with the built heritage.
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13.
Site Management Challenges and Potential Disaster Risk at
Restoration Sites
Antara Sharma
Principal Conservation Architect, Kabira Architecture, Conservation And
Management
Abstract
The city of Mysore located in Karnataka, India was a historic capital city for six
centuries. It boasts of heritage structures from the thirteen hundreds based on local
Canara architecture upto nineteen hundreds with a combination of colonial and
vernacular styles. This shared built heritage flanks the various roads leading upto the
historic Mysore Palace and is used for various purposes like government offices,
museums, market places, souvenir shops, etc. The government agencies and private
owners have mixed opinion to the heritage buildings- some want them to be demolished
while some opine for its restoration, some consider them as danger to life while some
consider them as part of Mysore’s heritage. One such building is the Devaraja Market
Building spanning 250mX50m consisting of 200 permanent and 500 temporary shops
built over a long span of time in a mixture of various historic architectural styles and
materials. The shops are rented to local vendors by the municipal corporation whose
livelihood is dependent on the heritage building and its vibrant character that attracts
visitors to the market..While the Municipal Corporation had initiated the restoration
work in the building in 2015, a partial collapse of the northern gateway (while under
restoration) on 27th August 2016 brought a series of concerns to the fore. The restoration
work was immediately stopped and plans for complete demolition and rebuilding an
identical copy (using modern materials) was proposed. While the case is being
discussed in court, the project and events highlight the challenges that are discussed in
this paper- general disregard for heritage by the people who use it and include
incompatible renders into the historic fabric, shortcomings of the restoration process
during implementation, management challenges and post disaster site & risk
management.
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14.
MAPPING THE CENTRAL ASIAN SILK ROADS TOWARDS A
RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Ona Vileikis
Research Fellow, University College London / ICOMOS Executive Committee
Member CIPA/ ICOMOS GA2020 Co-Chair
Abstract
The diverse Central Asian landscapes along the Silk Roads is under threat from
multiple natural and anthropogenic activities. These include changing agricultural
practices especially in the context of the climate crisis, infrastructure schemes, urban
expansion, and traditional crafts. The future of heritage resources depends on strategic
planning, as part of sustainable development policies. This requires a proper workflow,
and accessible information management systems for the correspondent authorities.
Thus, creating a digital inventory of sites and a systematic data gathering of information
has become a priority for the Central Asian region. This contribution introduces the
challenges and opportunities of the Central Asian Archaeological Landscapes (CAAL),
a digital platform, in combination with site condition assessment towards systematic
monitoring and risk assessment.
The project has a large and diverse number of stakeholders involved. These currently
include 13 institutions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, with main
participation of the International Centre for Central Asian Studies in Uzbekistan, and
the Northwest University and the ICOMOS International Conservation Centre Xi’an in
China. The teams across the region are digitising existing archives and records, and
consolidating the information held by regional institutions and research centres.
The project is using the open-access Arches, platform developed by the Getty
Conservation Institute and the World Monuments Fund, and QGIS, free and open-
source geographic information system, to build the database and map sites using
satellite images. This ongoing work presents the CAAL database and workflows for site
condition assessment. These results are enhanced by new research, using a combination
of photogrammetry and satellite imagery, along with targeted field visits, in order to
discover new sites, improve documentation, promote awareness and scholarship, and
facilitate policy making.
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15.
Nanoparticles performance on durability of historical adobe
(A case study- Kashani house, Iran)
Abstract
Adobe is one of the oldest materials used in the construction of a wide range of
monuments; however, high erosion of the adobe caused by various reasons including
humidity, wind, and temperature is usually more obvious as minor cracks on the adobe.
This type of cracks leads to strength reduction and fragility of the adobe over time.
Therefore, adobe protection is considered an indispensable issue, especially by finding
appropriate scientific methods to upsurge its strength and durability.
The use of nanoparticles as a spray to protect clay materials in cultural heritage has
been proposed as a rapid method to increase the durability of these materials against
erosion.
In this study, the application of nanoparticles to the Strengthening of the historical
Kashani house (Semnan, Iran) was evaluated. Studying and cognizance of Kashani
house and its environment in the first phase and studies in the field of nanotechnology
and nanoparticles in adobe reinforcement with laboratory methods and description of
the experimental data in the other phase has been addressed. Studies in the field of
nanotechnology are in harmony with the monument’s protection principles and in line
with the preservation of the structure authenticity.
Investigation of the effect of nanoparticles spray on the adobe has shown
improvement of physical and mechanical properties and also increasing the adobe
strength up to 40% against erosion which could be of interest also for the Strengthening
in new constructions.
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16.
BUILDING A SACRED PLACES HERITAGE NETWORK FOR
DISASTER RESILIENCE IN THE TEXAS GULF COAST
REGION
Sedef Doganer
Associate Professor, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Department
Chair of Architecture and Interim Associate Dean of College of Architecture,
Construction and Planning
Abstract
Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity within the U.S., and the
state of Texas has been impacted severely. An interdisciplinary research team at The
University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has been working on a project to address
the impact of hurricanes on cultural heritage resources of the Texas Gulf Coast region.
Through this project—the Sacred Places Heritage Network for Disaster Resilience—
UTSA and partners are targeting sacred spaces listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and located within the “most impacted areas” of Hurricane Harvey
damage. Ultimately, the project will provide support for and create connections between
multiple faith-based organizations and the communities they serve, empowering them
to become more resilient to large-scale disruption. This paper will discuss potential
project’s outcomes and a new “Resiliency Roadmap” for a nontechnical audience to
guide disaster management planning and increase capacity, allowing communities to
recover, rebuild, and prepare.
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Selected Abstracts
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
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1.
ISSUES ARISING FROM THE FIRE DISASTER AND
RESTORATION PROCESS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
REPRESENTING THE COUNTRY - FOCUSING ON
SUNGNYEMUN FIRE CASE
Sangsun JO
Senior Researcher, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH)
Abstract
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2.
AUTHENTICITY AND DISASTER OF RE-CONSTRUCTION IN
THE ARAB WORD
Abstract
The real disaster in the Arab word is in concept of authenticity, the re-construction in
general is the best method used by most institutes whose work in the heritage field.
They are many voices in the academic and in the practical institute experiences
believed that we don’t need to conserve our heritage, because our civilization (Arab -
Islamic) is not died, so we can change and produce new heritage, we can make re –
construction it. No authenticity concept exists in this.
The actual research needs to revel the concept of authenticity from the original Arab
Islamic culture, also it well presents a historical practice experiences in the area of
conservation and restoration to approve that the authenticity is a real concept in our
culture.
Adding to the disaster of the Authenticity concept, they are a lot of real disaster
situations: revolutions, wars and vandalism are present. No national or international
organization put any plan to prevent the conservation of the Arab heritage without
needing of its re-construction.
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3.
WHOSE AUTHENTICITY IS IT, ANYWAY?
Stephen J. Kelley
Secretary General, ISCARSAH
Abstract
We are all aware of the Venice Charter (1964), the Nara Document on Authenticity
(1994) and the revised Burra Charter (2013). I would posit that there is a reason why
we continually amend these standards: in a dynamic societal landscape we must
continually reflect upon authenticity and why we might consider reconstruction to be
appropriate. As Gustavo Araoz, former president of ICOMOS, recently said in an email
exchange, these charters “are not the Ten Commandments.” Let us reflect upon
reconstruction and its perceived flip side, the nebulous term of authenticity.
Reconstruction can take place under the right circumstances. For example, just in the
last century historical reconstructions have been a driver in the reclamation of national
identity of states following war or following social and political upheaval. These
reconstructions are sometimes difficult to fathom when viewed through a Eurocentric
prism. Authenticity can have intangible qualities and cannot always be objectively
measured. Buildings and sites provide identity and to impose orthodox rules on their
reconstruction is to rob cultures of their heritage when they have been ravaged by war
or failed ideological movements. It is not possible to define authenticity as an “one size
fits all” understanding. Whose authenticity is it, anyway?
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4.
AUSTRALIA IS ON FIRE – DEVELOPING TOOLS FOR
MITIGATION, RESPONSE AND ADAPTATION FOR HERITAGE
ON THE FRONTLINE
Catherine Forbes
Principal, Conservation Architect and Heritage Specialist, GML Heritage
Abstract
The 2019-2020 Australian fire season was horrific – the worst on record globally.
With increasing periods of drought, rising temperatures and extended fire seasons,
Australia is on the front line when considering the impacts of climate change. The
recent bushfires (wildfires) extended across large areas of the eastern and southern
states, burning hundreds of thousands of square kilometres of forests and farmland,
severely impacting our natural and cultural heritage. Thousands of structures were
destroyed, and lives were lost in trying to defend the – World Heritage to local heritage
– Aboriginal heritage, rural heritage, industrial heritage, infrastructure, historic towns,
cultural landscapes and archaeology.
Australia ICOMOS and Blue Shield Australia developed tools and guidance
documents to enable the community to assess and respond to its fire impacted heritage.
They also worked closely with Government Agencies to develop actions plans for
assisting property owners through the process of damage assessment, clean up and
recovery planning. But as the next fire season is just around the corner, the Joint
Australia ICOMOS and ICOMOS New Zealand Risk Preparedness Working group, is
also reviewing management, mitigation and adaptation strategies for heritage in fire
prone areas and is preparing guidance. Although Australia has fire management and
mitigation strategies, early warning, evacuation and response systems developed over
many years, the scale and intensity of these fires was beyond conception. Across
Australia new conversations have begun around climate change, land management
practices, fire risk reduction practices, including ‘cultural burning’ and the use of fire-
resistant landscaping, as well as stricter codes for construction in bushfire prone areas.
All these measures will affect heritage and adaptation is required.
I will provide a brief overview of the fires, their impacts, and the tools developed in
response. I will then open the floor to discussion to facilitate the 6 ISC response to the
fires for feedback into the proposed scientific symposium panel session on Wildfires
and Heritage (proposal attached).
Keywords: Wildfires / Bushfires, Emergency Toolkit, Emergency Action Plans,
Adaptation and Resilience
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5.
CULTURAL TOURISM – FRIEND OR FOE TO THE
AUTHENTICITY OF POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION
Sue Millar
President Emeritus ICOMOS ISC Cultural Tourism,
SMA Cultural Tourism Consultancy
Abstract
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6.
LEARNING FROM THE EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 26,
2019 IN ALBANIA: POST-DISASTER ANALYSIS OF DAMAGE IN
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
Grigor Angjeliu
Research Associate, Politecnico di Milano
Abstract
On November 26, 2019, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Albania, destroying many
buildings across the north-western area. Among others, important historical buildings
were severely damaged or partially collapsed. The objective of this study is to provide
a description of the observed damage caused to Albanian heritage structures in
engineering terms. Causes and strengthening possibilities are discussed considering the
structural safety and authenticity.
Data are collected from different sources and a reconnaissance mission carried after
the earthquake in designated historical buildings. The collected data include buildings
with stone or brick masonry and with many reconstruction phases. The analysed
structures have a highly varying construction technique since they were built within a
large timeframe (between 6th and 19th century). The most frequent type of failure is the
out-of-plane mechanism, probably related to the heavy nature of the construction
technique. Among the collected data, towers are observed to be a frequently damaged
construction typology. Given their simple geometry, analytical models are proposed to
understand the structural safety and to compare them with the actual observed response.
The analysis concludes upon the importance of damage present before the earthquake
or construction phases as a determinant factor in the observed collapse mechanisms.
Finally, a discussion is developed with regards to the possibility of reconstruction,
strengthening and authenticity, which can be an important basis for the development of
mitigation strategies for historical buildings in the Albanian territory.
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7.
MANAGING HERITAGE AMIDST CONFLICT AND CHAOS –
FIVE YEARS OF SMITHSONIAN PROJECTS IN IRAQ
Abstract
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8.
NURTURING TRADITIONAL TRADES FOR DISASTER
RECOVERY
Abstract
There is increasing concern in Australia and overseas about the loss of traditional
trade skills and the lack of appreciation for why traditional materials and methods are
important for authenticity and sustainability in heritage conservation. When there is
extensive loss of heritage fabric after a natural or man-induced disaster, then there is
increased pressure to accelerate conservation processes. This often leads to the use of
inappropriate non-traditional materials and methods – partly because more traditional
solutions are in short supply.
By nurturing traditional trades during peaceful times, we can ensure that there are
more traditional tradespeople available for post disaster conservation and more general
awareness about the authenticity and sustainability of traditional approaches. This paper
will explore how traditional trades for heritage conservation are supported in Australia
and overseas and how we can share initiatives in both peaceful times and during a
disaster response.
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9.
WILDFIRES/BUSHFIRES: HOW WE CAN BETTER PROTECT
OUR SHARED HERITAGE
Abstract
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Through understanding these, and incorporating them into a hazard/risk-based
approach, engaging local communities and understanding natural and cultural values,
in addition to the significant indigenous knowledge local communities have related to
wildfires/bushfires, and developing tailored, risk-informed strategies addressing
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10.
FIRE: ISSUES, LESSONS LEARNED & OPPORTUNITIES TO
BETTER PROTECT OUR SHARED HERITAGE
Abstract
Fires continue to have significant adverse impacts on our shared heritage to not only
buildings (Notre Dame, etc.) and collections (i.e. National Museum (Brazil), Natural
History Museum (Delhi), et/al), but also historic ships (Cutty Sark), bridges
(Kapellbrücke Bridge) and National Monuments (Namdaemun Gate, South Korea).
Fires also follow other events including earthquakes and volcanoes.
Through detailed studies of fires a significant amount can be learned to better protect
our Shared Heritage. This includes understanding why fires started and progressed,
what failed, and what worked. Numerous common themes emerge via research,
including:
• Numerous ignition sources present
• Significant combustible materials
• Renovation works underway
• Fire protection systems not present/operational.
• Delays notifying fire brigades.
• Limited access for fire brigades - site, structure, origin
• Limited firesafety awareness, capacity building.
• No/limited fire prevention plans, emergency response plans
By understanding these, significant steps can be made to mitigate fire risks through
a hazard/risk-based approach and developing a tailored, risk-informed strategy having
multiple benefits:
• incorporate effective firesafety provisions addressing actual issues/hazards,
• minimizing aesthetic impact to historic structure,
• using traditional materials/skills
• developing maintenance/monitoring strategies
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11.
RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR
LADY IN MOSCOW OBLAST
Ivan Strelbitsky
Engineer-restorer of highest category, Head of Private Conservation Consultancy.
Abstract
The social and economic changes in the Russia after 1917 revolution had led to
neglect or destruction of many historical monuments. Some of them were used as jail
houses, prison camps or storehouses. Those lucky ones that were not destroyed suffered
from neglect and vandalism. The lack of regular maintenance increased the influence
of initial structural mistakes when exposed to natural conditions of changing
temperature in the presence of atmospheric water. Such combination of negative factors
results in collapse of upper parts of the monuments.
The church Nativity of Our Lady is located at Medvedeva Pustyn (Bear’s Hermitage)
village in Moscow oblast. The name of the place indicates that it was situated in a
deserted wilderness, where the bears must be quite common. Or it might mean that the
hermit, who lived there, had a difficult character. The pustyn was founded in 1360 by
Reverend Mefody Peshoshsky who had built the first small wooden church and lived
there to obtain maximum isolation.
The brick church of Nativity of the Virgin was erected in 1555, and was sponsored
by tsar Ivan the Terrible, who visited the place in 1553 after severe sickness on the way
to a distant Northern Kirillo-Belozersky monastery. This is a typical example of one
headed four pillar church that was common for Northern architecture in 15-16 c. A
belfry was soon erected nearby. The original image of the church had changed in 19
century, Complex original roofing (pozakomarnoye pokrytie) with 3 rows of 3 arches
on each façade decorated the base of the drum and the head, was replaced by simpler
one, that was much easier to maintain. The bases of the arches were found under the
roof. Small outer windows were widened. Soon one more wooden church appeared – it
was smaller and easier to provide heating in long winters.
Its dimensions in plan are almost rectangular – each façade is about16 and a half
meter (54,3x 54,7 ft). Thickness of the walls from 152 to185 cm (5-6,1 ft). Height 19,55
m – 64,2 ft. In 1937 pustyn was closed, robbed and stood neglected for more than 70
years, until in 1975, when first research of its structures and measures were done for
the first time. No money could be found even for minimal conservation works. In 1993
the drum with the head suddenly collapsed and only during 1996 to 2003 restoration
works took place. Funding of the project was provided by Moscow Oblast Culture
Center. The main reasons of the collapse were:
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1. Total neglect of the church for more than 70 years
2. The load from the drum and the head was distributed unevenly. In the contact
with four bearing arches, it touched them only in 1/3 of the arches width, so the
arches worked less effectively then they should. It means that the upper parts of
the arches were overstrained under the weight of the drum and cupola.
3. The “Sails” – the upper space between the bearing arches were clad in horizontal
brick layers, making them work like a console, which is much less effective than
the arched brickwork. Original tie frames in two levels were made from timber
beams. Parts of them were placed inside the brick walls and were connected
with aerial ties by notches. They linked walls and pillars in two dimensions. It
was a common practice to make the whole structure more stable until the
masonry laid on lime mortar will receive necessary strength, which took several
years, depending on the thickness of the walls
4. After wooden beams became rotten inside the walls, they stopped working as
links or joints and all horizontal thrust was taken by massive thick walls. Still
some vertical cracks appeared in the walls in the middle of the facades,
weakened by windows and doors sections
5. In 19 c. some reinforcing work was done in the church. The lower level aerial
ties (links) originally made in timber were out of work by that time and were
repeated in steel bars, fixed directly into the walls. The higher-level ties
remained out of service, although the effectiveness of them could be more, then
the lower level.
6. And the crucial reason for the fall of the drum was the poor condition of the
roof, especially at the contact with the vertical wall of the drum. It caused
regular leaks and as the result the destruction of brickwork of the overstrained
part of the load bearing arches. When the vertical load overcame the reserve of
the arch’s brickwork strength – the collapse had happened.
So in our case we can see the combination of several main factors, that finally led to
the collapse of the completion of the church – initial structural defects that led to the
overload of the parts of bearing arches and many years of lack of proper care for the
monument, which ended in the weakening of the overstrained parts and final collapse
of the upper part of the church.
1. The restoration work consisted of the following. The first part of works was to
remove huge amount of debris from the fallen structures. Whole and half bricks
were thoroughly selected and stored for future use. The following works are
conducted in this process. estoration of the walls weakened by the through
cracks in the walls. It consisted of repairing the major cracks with injecting all
cracks with reinforcing by fiberglass rods to compensate the lack of bonds
between separated parts of the wall. Each rod crossed the crack at a certain angle
and was fixed by hydraulic lime mix.
2. Installing reinforced concrete in-wall bonds in voids from former timber bonds.
They were linked with air ties (bonds), which formerly were also wooden, but
fell down after in-wall timber got rot.
3. Restoring the 19 c. metal air bond on 1st tier, which were damaged during the
fall of the upper structures
4. Restoring crushed vaults and arches
5. Installing reinforced concrete circular base for the drum.
6. Restoring the drum and the head (cupola)
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7. Restoring 19 c. pitched roof.
8. Repairing brickwork with changing the missing ones with the new bricks of the
same size.
Minor erosion of the brick surface was repaired with special colored vapor-
permeable composition. After painting the facades, the church was given to local parish.
The above shows the process of restoration works took place during 1996 to 2003 by
restoring a 16-c. monument, introducing except collapsed elements the new ones that
aimed to mitigate the influence of initial structural defects of the monument.
Figure 1. View of the church after the Figure 2. View to the ruined bearing
collapse of the completion – drum and arches from the interior.
dome.
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12.
REMOVAL OF CRUDE OIL FROM CULTURAL RESOURCES
Vrinda Jariwala
Research Associate
National Center for Preservation Training and Technology, National Park Service
Abstract
Oil spills are inevitable as crude oil circulates throughout the world by ships, trucks,
rail, and pipeline. Oil spills impact natural and cultural resources and the environment.
The impact on cultural resources includes risks for historic buildings, structures,
landscapes, and archaeological sites. Despite the physical and chemical damage
associated with crude oil contamination, we know little information on how to remove
oil from the built environment.
In 2018, the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT)
began research funded by the U.S. Department of Interior Inland Oil Spill Preparedness
Project to identify and evaluate commercially available Surface Washing Agents
(SWAs) and the effective application techniques for removing crude oil from historic
architectural substrates. The study exposed surrogate materials to oil and examined the
application of SWAs as potential conservation treatments in a controlled laboratory
setting. Analyses used SWAs selected from the Environmental Protection Agency’s
National Contingency Plan Product Schedule. The study used two oils of varying
viscosities to understand physical interactions with substrates. Research continued to
the third Phase in 2019 and the fourth phase is funded.
Phases I and II have led to understanding the various kinds of SWAs that may be
used for the effective removal of oil from historic substrates. Successful SWAs are
being further explored in Phase III. The research classifies SWAs, simulates the process
of oil contamination in a laboratory setting, and assesses the long-term effects of oil
contamination for occupied historic buildings. Success is measured by color, gloss
character, and surface roughness data, and water vapor transmission of historic
materials before and after exposure to oil, as well as after successive treatments.
Future research will result in practical oil removal methods for large surfaces, a
decision tree to guide responders in selecting and applying SWAs to historic materials,
and guidance for using SWAs in large areas.
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COMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
13.
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RIVER
GHATS IN INDIA
Antara Sharma
Principal Conservation Architect
KABIRA Architecture, Conservation and Management
Abstract
The state of Madhya Pradesh located in the heart of India with Rivers Naramda and
Kshipra running across, boasts of many historic towns that were once established and
are still present along the revered rivers. The river banks along the most visited historic
towns of Maheshwar, Omkareshwar and Ujjain along these rivers built in the form of
stepped accessway to river (ghats) are still used by visitors for various activities along
the river- religious, cultural, daily ablutions, recreational, etc. Considerable efforts have
been taken by the local municipal authorities, religious bodies as well as cultural
agencies for beautification of these banks and providing visitor amenities. However,
the critical issue of gradual deterioration of the underside of stepped banks owing to
water flow as well as the added pollutants in river water due to industrialization and
human actions is yet to be addressed. While the underside of the stepped banks gets
deteriorated and hollowed, the steps and walkway used by thousands of devotees and
tourists are fast becoming a life hazard. There have been instances where an amateur
swimmer has been caught inside the deteriorated spaces and eventually died.
This paper explores the development of a comprehensive plan for material
conservation as well as framework for site management so it may be utilized for other
historical sites along rivers.
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COMOS GA2020 – 6 ISCs Joint Meeting:
B. Post-disaster Management, Re-construction, and Authenticity
14.
AUSTRALIA 2019/2020:
DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE IN A
SUMMER OF DISASTER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Robyn Riddett
Director, Anthemion Consultancies
Abstract
In an age of climate change how do we prepare for disasters which increasingly are
on what is claimed to be an “unprecedented” scale. Are they similar to past events in
scale and damage caused or is the scale becoming greater and our preparedness is less
effective? Are preceding conditions similar or different? Have we simply forgotten
the past or never experienced a particular type of disaster in living memory? Have we
learnt anything from previous disasters for the next disaster?
The greatest natural disasters in Australia are bushfires, floods and cyclones. Every
year at least one of these disasters happens somewhere, sometimes in close proximity
of time and location. While the response by governments will necessarily be directed
to saving lives of humans and animals and to retarding the spread of effects of a disaster,
making areas safe and clean-up, the initial priorities of citizens will be directed to their
own needs and circumstances. The next step in recovery is to re-establish
communities, businesses, tourism, farms, and to provide new habitats for wildlife.
Where do heritage and endangered species fit in? What are the priorities – is this
appropriate?
This paper will examine how we can prepare better or in some cases must we just
accept the inevitable? How might heritage places and endangered species be the
subject of special priority efforts to save them? How far can places be recorded as a
knowledge repository strategy to offset loss? And the elephant in the room: are some
mitigation strategies such as backburning also destructive? Can Indigenous fire
practices assist future preparation methodologies? We know the answers to some of
these questions now while others will inevitably be discussed in the forthcoming
months as a result of the 2019/2020 bushfires and the anticipated cyclones and floods
in the coming months.
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2020 ICOMOS 6 ISCs Joint Meeting Proceedings
Advancing Risk Management for the Shared Future
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