Environment Protection – Monument Preservation (original) (raw)

Preventive conservation:a concept suited to the conservation of earthen-architectural heritage?

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2012

The concept of preventive conservation (PC) is relatively old, as the term was already in use as early as the end of the 19 th century. As the definition implies, the theory of preventive conservation was developed mainly in the context of work on movable heritage. Yet the concept appears to be equally applicable to built heritage, and more specifically to earthen-architectural heritage whose basic raw material is usually fragile by nature and in some circumstances, can decay relatively fast. Though earthen architecture is varied, one of its characteristics is that for each typology, there is always a specific way of ensuring durability or minimizing the risk of damage. This is achieved by implementing a variety of measures that depend on the physical, economic and social context of the site. What is interesting is that all of these measures are aimed at protecting and extending the life expectancy of the structures in question, thus linking them to the concept of preventive conservation. This leads to the conclusion that preventive conservation is by its very nature a concept well adapted to earthen structures. Taking into account climate change, which brings about unusual situations, reinforces the suitability of the concept, which allows us to anticipate natural disaster. This paper examines the suitability and limits of applying the concept of PC in the conservation of earthen architecture through theoretical analysis and practical examples. It concludes with recommendations for its adoption, taking into account intrinsic specificities, and both the tangible and intangible values of the heritage being considered for conservation.

Conservation of Historic Buildings

he primary motive for historical restoration is always the Education. And to let everyone visualize the culture, society and tradition of place. The preservation safeguards the community and its heritage and make it uncommitted for communal and educational activities. The preservation shows that how much far we have travelled and travelling from where towards which direction. This can be better understood if categorized under 'economic’, 'cultural', and 'environmental', although they are not mutually exclusive and indeed, they are often interlocked. The melodic theme to introduce research paper is to concentrate the attention towards the preservation of the historic buildings to save cultural and traditional values and find out the construction techniques and materials for its best survival.

Defining Criteria for Intervention in Earthen Built Heritage Conservation

International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2012

This article examines the criteria for the procedural process that is applied to prevent decay in earthen built heritage conservation, referred to as intervention. When defining criteria for intervention, it was necessary first to establish what needs are required to be addressed and then to define a methodology of intervention while considering indicators of quality and indicators of best practice. The aim is to contribute to a successful conservation approach, in order to better address threats. The research methodology of this investigation was based in a case study strategy using qualitative methods. Data were collected using documentary, questionnaire and interview methods from three sources, the case studies, the stakeholders and a selected group of international key-experts in earthen built heritage conservation. Seven key components were identified for the methodology of intervention and the criteria for intervention were examined through three types of approach: descriptive, evaluative, and prescriptive A serious lack of understanding was found among experts in conservation of the meaning and need for a methodology of intervention in conservation and the meaning or need for devising criteria for conservation intervention.

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT: PRESERVATION PRINCIPLES

V International Seminar on Urban Conservation, 2007, Recife. Changing Role and Relevance of Urban Conservation Charters. Recife: Centro de Estudos Avançados da Conservação Integrada (CECI), 2007. v.1.

The aim of this paper is to study the development of the contemporary international approach concerning the preservation of the historic environment of monuments. In order to investigate the outlines of the development and the meaning of landscape context, this paper begins studying the role of the debate, presented in the general report by Raymond Lamaire, in the proceedings of the Second International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments (first section report "Monuments of man", 1972) and the article 6 of its official document, the Venice Charter (International Committee of Monuments and Sites/ICOMOS, 1964). The challenge of reproaching the concepts of landscape context, surroundings, ensembles and historic environment would be the task of two recent documents: the Xi-an Declaration (ICOMOS, 2005) and the Vienna Memorandum (UNESCO, 2005). These reviews expand beyond the original principles, giving a new subtlety to the concept of historic environment. The current notion of the historic environment is understood along with their physical and visual attributes, but as the interaction among the setting, the natural landscape, the social practices and the sense of place. This paper concludes that the historic environment becomes an important attribute to the authenticity, when we consider the preservation of historic buildings. Therefore the historic environment demands a careful consideration and approach, though the understanding of it´s substance, limits, dimensions and heritage management.

Preventive conservation and maintenance of architectural heritage as means of preservation of the spirit of place

2008

The safeguarding of the spirit of place depends on the connection between people and their heritage. Maintenance and monitored based preventive preservation involves more people and local craftsmen in the process. The paper investigates some examples of different implementations of maintenance services in Europe according to the Dutch model of Monumentenwacht, namely in Belgium, in Denmark and in Hungary. Their role as stimulator of enhancement of traditional crafts is examined, as they are considered to contribute to preservation of local intangible heritage and to community involvement. The role of such organisations as (independent) supporters to heritage owners or site managers is highlighted.