Safeguarding Cultural Heritage from Natural and Man-made Disasters: a comparative analysis of risk management in the EU
![]() |
Safeguarding Cultural Heritage from Natural and Man-made Disasters: a comparative analysis of risk management in the EU, Alessandra Bonazza, Ingval Maxwell, Miloš Drdácký, Ellizabeth Vintzileou, Christian Hanus, European Commission, 2018, 205 pages, e-book available online on open access: https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/8fe9ea60-4cea-11e8-be1d-01aa75ed71a1/language-en |
‘Safeguarding Cultural Heritage’ is a study undertaken on behalf of the cultural policy unit of the European Commission’s directorate-general for education, youth, sport and culture. It attests to the priority that the commission attaches to the safeguarding of cultural heritage as a ‘strategic resource for a sustainable Europe’. It synchronises with the United Nation’s Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the global agreement on disaster risk management. It is an important guide and resource across a field that has gained accelerating recognition and importance since the turn of the millennium.
The study’s objective is to integrate cultural heritage into the national disaster and risk reduction strategies developed by EU member states and contribute to the development of good practice. Three stages were undertaken: first, an informational overview; second, mapping existing strategies in all member states, focusing on existing competence centres and tools; third, the identification of strengths and weaknesses, followed by recommendations for measures to improve risk management at the European level.
The chapter ‘Literature study and existing initiatives at EU and international level’ incorporates themed sections that address climate change, air pollution changes and environmental degradation, flood, landslide, wind, earthquake, volcanic eruption, fire and armed conflict. Each section includes literature reviews and information on training and dissemination actions; several of the references relate to research projects and publications initiated by Historic Environment Scotland. Definitions are incorporated into the study where appropriate.
Key lessons learnt from the study included the general lack of coordination between and across different risk-management strategies, lack of alignment in the responsibility chain from policy making to practical application, and the low current priority of cultural heritage in risk-management planning. The recommendations are framed in line with the Sendai Framework’s four priorities.
- First, understanding disaster risk, raising awareness, and supporting innovative national level programmes.
- Second, strengthening disaster risk governance and collaboration for preparedness, emergency reaction and recovery, and supporting the use of IT tools to facilitate operational procedures.
- Third, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience through the establishment of priorities for the protection and rescue of cultural heritage assets.
- Fourth, enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to build back better in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction, including developing early warning and damage modelling systems, and the drafting of European Standards for safeguarding specific categories of cultural heritage assets against the effects of different types of disaster.
The study identified numerous and consistently repeated gaps in preparedness. It divided these omissions into the following: understanding allied to policy making measures and strategies; coordinated administrative and managerial implementation supported by public awareness and the monitoring of vulnerabilities; and practical application underpinned by comprehensive inventories of assets at risk, prioritising multi-risk complex-system scenarios in urban historic centres, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes, notably from the impacts of climate change, and the need for support in the development of effective early warning systems.
‘Safeguarding Cultural Heritage’ is an important open access resource for all who are engaged in the vital field of cultural heritage disaster risk management.
This article originally appeared as ‘Better watch out’ in Context 168, published by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) in June 2021. It was written by Dennis Rodwell, architect-planner, consultant in cultural heritage and sustainable urban development .
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Conservation.
- Cultural heritage.
- Helping communities recover from disasters and protecting them before they occur.
- Heritage asset.
- Historic building.
- How to rebuild using the debris from disasters.
- IHBC articles.
- Managing and responding to disaster.
- Research and development in disaster response.
- Risk management.
- The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
IHBC NewsBlog
Bristol Harbourside landmark Canons House gets GII listing
Canons House, a landmark building on Bristol Harbourside, has been awarded Grade II (GII) listed status having been built as a regional headquarters for Lloyds Bank between 1988 and 1991 (Arup)
BRE/BEIS project to modernise home energy rating scheme
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has announced a new project with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to improve and modernise the home energy rating scheme used to measure the energy and environmental performance of UK homes.
Interdisciplinary IHBC accreditation recognised by CSCS for PQP Cards
Sector lead the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has recognised the IHBC’s professional accreditation and support (CPD etc.) in awarding its PQP (Professionally Qualified Person) cards.
IHBC Heritage Marketplace provides learning-led virtual engagement
The IHBC’s 2022 Aberdeen School Heritage MarketPlace (4.30-7.30PM, 15 June) is designed to extend the scope of a traditional IHBC School exhibition floor.
Unearthing the history of Gloucester’s 'the Fleece' Hotel starts
Work to repair a fire-hit medieval hotel in Gloucester is underway as crews have started work to strip back some of the modern trappings and reveal the historic framework.
Booking Open for IHBC Annual School: Aberdeen, 16-18 June 2022
Options for in-person and virtual delegates to explore ‘heritage on the edge’ across up to 4 days of IHBC engagement & learning.
European Heritage Heads Forum statement on Ukraine
The Secretariat to the European Heritage Heads Forum has has coordinated its declaration of solidarity and support for Ukraine’s cultural heritage institutions.
Welcome to #IHBC25 – 25 years since we turned professional
2022 will see the IHBC mark a quarter of a century since our incorporation as a professional body supporting and accrediting built and historic environment conservation specialists. We’re kick-starting it by inviting your ideas on how to mark this special year!
IHBC launches new Guidance Note on ‘Design sources for historic building conservation'
The IHBC’s latest Guidance Note adds to the institute’s open-access, online practitioner’s Toolbox.
IHBC at COP26 - Conserving our Places Conserves our Planet - Podcast
The IHBC seeks to raise awareness and understanding of how building conservation philosophy and practice contributes towards meeting the challenge of climate change.