13th Annual Maura Shaffrey Memorial Lecture
17 November, 2011
Title: 'Sustainable Regional Strategies based on the Built Heritage'
Speaker: Dr Christer Gustafsson
Abstract: In the Swedish 'Halland Model', building construction workers and apprentices were trained in traditional building techniques, then practiced on historic buildings at risk under the supervision of skilled craftsmen and conservation officers. After completion of the conservation work, the premises have been used in a way that contributes to sustainable development and regional growth. Consequently, historic buildings at risk were saved from demolition, which implied that craftsmanship was gained by a younger generation while new jobs were created. The historic environment sector took an intermediate position and provided historic buildings at risk, which could be used as working places over a long period of time, as well as 'containers' for new functions. Such regional cross-sectoral co-operation through a multi-problem-oriented approach has demonstrated win-win situations for the heritage sector, as well as for other partners, and for regional sustainable development in general.
With a shift from focus on protection of built cultural heritage through legal systems and regulations to emphasis on use and development issues, the heritage sector needs to act as a catalyst for sustainable development in order to strengthen urban and regional competitiveness. This lecture aims to discuss the challenge linking strategies for conservation of cultural heritage to territorial innovation systems through co-operation with emerging cultural and creative industries. This can lead to true initiatives to design smart regional strategies based on built cultural heritage aimed at sustainable development.
Past Lectures
12th Annual Lecture - 10 June, 2010
Title: 'Drafting of the Venice Charter: historical developments in conservation'
Speaker: Prof. Andrea Pane, Faculty of Architecture, University of Naples Federico II
Abstract: In 1964, during an international congress in Venice, a group of twenty-three experts drafted one of the most important and long-lived documents in modern conservation theory: the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites. Also known as the 'Venice Charter', it marked a new direction in restoration in Europe and elsewhere and also led to the establishment of ICOMOS. It was particularly encouraged by the determination of Roberto Pane, an architectural historian and professor in Naples, and Piero Gazzola, a surveyor of architectural heritage in Verona. They aimed to widen the idea of 'monument', expanding from the limits of single buildings to their forming part of the urban landscape. Analysis of the works carried out by Pane and Gazzola, together with unpublished documents from their private archives contribute to an understanding of the origin of this idea.
The drafting of the Charter defined principles for a new conservation philosophy and practice. Subsequently, other developments in conservation emerged in Italy and in other European countries drawing on the legacy of the Venice Charter. Firstly, a more conservative approach to conservation, pure conservation, was adopted. This was then followed by critical restoration with new reflections and reaffirmation of the restoration philosophy of Cesare Brandi. Thirdly, a maintenance-reinstatement approach was developed which became widely adopted by heritage professions. However, the practical issues of conservation today have become more complex and sometimes even contradictory to the text of the Venice Charter.
11th Annual Lecture - 29 October, 2009
Title: 'Preserving Heritage in View of its Evolving Perception and its New Role in Society - A Global Leadership Challenge for ICOMOS'
Speaker: Gustavo F. Araoz, IAI, President of ICOMOS
Abstract: Cultural heritage has passed from being a field for specialized professionals to the public domain. Communities worldwide are rediscovering their tangible and intangible cultural legacies, demanding greater participation in the decision-making process concerning meaning, treatment and use. Meanwhile, heritage inventories and categories have expanded in unprecedented ways. The traditional specialized heritage professions are facing new situations for which doctrinal foundations, protective mechanisms and accepted practices often prove insufficient to safeguard the integrity and authenticity of heritage places. The multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural nature of heritage puts ICOMOS in a unique situation to lead the world community in identifying new ways to protect it. To achieve this, the National and International Committees of ICOMOS must mobilize in a coordinated process with global application and local relevance.
10th Annual Lecture - 20 November, 2008
Title: 'Edinburgh: Conservation and Development in a World Heritage City'
Speaker: Malcolm Cooper, Chief Inspector with Historic Scotland
Abstract: The presentation focuses on the history of Edinburgh World Heritage Site, outlining the reasons for its inscription, as well as the processes which are in place to ensure that its outstanding universal value is properly considered as the city evolves. It also provides an outline of the story of the conservation of the city, and will describe how Edinburgh must continue to develop to maintain its vibrant character, noting in particular the challenges and opportunities that this brings.
9th Annual Lecture - 2007
Title: 'Conserving the Vernacular in a Temperate Zone'
Speaker: Dr Paul Oliver
Abstract: With urban growth, suburban development and expanding road networks, vernacular traditions, which represent so much of the built heritage in many countries and cultural areas, have been destroyed or are threatened with destruction. Present and past generations are being denied in experiencing and learning from their history, the ways of life they accommodate and the architectural quality they represent. Vernacular buildings are part of the vernacular landscape which is largely the product of traditional rural culture and maintenance and which is also under threat. These issues have been confronted in different parts of the temperate zones. In his talk, Dr Oliver introduced examples of projects drawn from the Czech Republic to Central China, from lower Saxony to north west Japan. Such examples have had implications with regard to economies and way of life, to the continuity of indigenous traditions, skills and knowledge. A consideration of the success and future of these projects may be appropriate to the conservation of buildings and landscape in the Irish context.
