Preventive conservation, monitoring and maintenance: strategies and tools for the conservation of the physical integrity of heritage through empowering owners and managers of historic buildings and sites.

Ref.: 297
Key theme: 01 Physical integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 28/11/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

VAN BALEN, Koenraad * (Belgium) - Raymond Lemaire International center for Conservation (RLICC)

ABSTRACT

Physical integrity of historic urban landscapes depends in large part on the way owners and site managers contribute to the preservation of the fabric.
Experiences and outcome of a European collaboration in the SPRECOMAH project have identified research and practices that contribute to preventive conservation, monitoring and maintenance of the architectural heritage. It builds on the particular experience of Monumentenwacht associations as they exist in The Netherlands and in Flanders. Monumentenwacht Vlaanderen (MWVl) prescribes such a preventive approach, offering a systematic inspection system focused on maintenance. Monument Watch sets out from the idea that "within certain limits" most owners are rather willing to take care of their buildings. To them MWVl offers services as an independent advisory body. Monument Watch prescribes an integral approach, stimulating the conservation of the structural condition of the building as well as of the interior and the movable heritage.
A network of maintenance oriented owner directed organizations is expending in Europe. Recently a UNESCO chair on the theme has been set-up that aims at sharing research and practices on the subject through the related PRECOMOS network.
The paper will define the field of preventive conservation when dealing with historic buildings and sites. The experience of a maintenance based conservation strategy as applied in Flanders and in The Netherlands will be explained and analyzed. Particular attention will be given in explaining the role of Monumentenwacht as a member organization empowering owners and managers in taking daily care and in monitoring the state of preservation of their heritage. Recent figures on spending for heritage preservation in Flanders seem to confirm the effect of this policy on the physical integrity of the stock of historic (listed and non-listed) buildings.
Results of exchanges between scientists and practitioners in the European SPRECOMAH project have demonstrated the importance of a holistic approach of preventive conservation at the scale varying from the individual (part) of buildings to regional development strategies.
It was suggested that development and implementation of preventive conservation on all fields could only be enhanced considering preventive conservation is being placed as a priority and considering preventive conservation strategies are implemented in integrated policies for cultural and economic development. To become effective preventive conservation approach has to be promoted through policies and legislation that provide and economic framework for it (ie. Flanders grants for maintenance of heritage are assigned according to Monumentenwacht reports). Heritage researchers and professionals should be supported in the development of tools for decision makers, so that preventive conservation strategies can be applied appropriately in each specific context. Decision makers and heritage building professionals should involve stakeholders through a bottom-up process while a long term approach to preventive conservation is to be acknowledged. Public-private partnership could help to implement this approach while adequate education in under- and post-graduate studies should be introduced in order to prepare researchers and practitioners acquainted with "preventive conservation".

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