Integration of heritage buildings and sites in their surroundings

Abstract

This public report provides an overview of the problems raised by the management of heritage buildings and sites (HBs/sites) in their surroundings. A multidisciplinary team comprising conservation professionals, art historians, archaeologists, architects, biologists, civil engineers and information technology experts have joined forces within the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action TD1406 - i2MHB (Innovation in Intelligent Management of Heritage Buildings) to provide their expertise and experience on the risks to which HBs/ sites are exposed (urban development, infrastructure works, demographical changes, natural and technological hazards, bio-deterioration, lack of cultural heritage education and technical knowledge and skills, etc.). Traditional and new approaches to manage the principal risks are then developed. Nine representative European HBs/sites are used to illustrate the different problems raised and to offer possible solutions. The report ends with a number of recommendations to better integrate HBs/sites in their surroundings. This report is addressed to policy makers at the local, regional and national governments; economical and industrial players; research and education stakeholders; and, the public to the preservation and valorisation of HBs/sites in their surroundings. We hope that readers will find tentative answers to their question(s) on the difficulties encountered by the management of HBs/sites in their surroundings. Further reading is available through the references and the online literature provided.