Sustainable Integrated Conservation of the Built Environment: Conceptual and Professional Challenges

Transcription

1 Sustainable Integrated Conservation of the Built Environment: Conceptual and Professional Challenges Erika Johansson, Ph.D. Utveckla den regionala kulturmiljövården inom ramen för hållbar utveckling Seminarium vid Kulturmiljö Halland. May 28, 2010

2 Contents Introduction and background What is Sustainable Integrated Conservation (SIC)? Why Sustainable Integrated Conservation? How to integrate? Conceptual and professional challenges

3 Definition of conservation In 1986, Sir Bernard Feilden defined conservation as follows: Conservation may be defined as the dynamic management of change in order to reduce the rate of decay. The cultural, scientific, technical and natural heritage and resources must be considered as authentic documents and valuable components. Interventions should be limited to actions strictly necessary to ensure the continuing conservation of this heritage, but the techniques and materials used should not impede future treatment or examination. Conservation requires comprehensive, socioeconomic, legal and cultural planning, integrated at all levels.

4 Broadened conservation horizon Conservation emphasis has changed from monuments to living historic towns. The definition of cultural heritage now also includes historic areas and cultural landscapes.

5 Conservation is Managing Change to Preserve Significance Impact assessment (reactive) SIGNIFICANCE CHANGE Conservation planning (proactive)

6 A change in perspective Economic and material values (production) Ecological,social and cultural values (immaterial values)

7 Hållbar utveckling: definition

8 Hur stor del är kulturella värden och system?

9 Integrated conservation (IC) Integrated conservation (IC) is a well-established scholarlyprofessional discourse and an approach to conservation applications in urban planning and development - and to ecological, architectural and nature conservation.

10 Conservazione programmata In Europe, the theoretical roots of integrated conservation can be found in the formation of the Italian concept conservazione integrata, introduced by Piero Gazzola and promoted by Council of Europe as an important component of its launching of the European Charter of the Architectural Heritage and related policy in 1975.

11 Integrated Conservation in a Swedish context In Sweden, IC was introduced in the 1960s, which led to the establishment of a comprehensive conservation theory and new and innovative courses, higher education and research programs in the field of integrated conservation of built environments at the Department of Conservation, University of Gothenburg (ICUG) (Engelbrektsson, et al. 1987; Engelbrektsson & Rosvall, 2003).

12 Definitions (IC) The Declaration of Amsterdam, 1975 The conservation of the architectural heritage should become an integral part of urban and regional planning, instead of being treated as a secondary consideration. European Charter of the Architectural Heritage, 1975 Integrated conservation is achieved by the application of sensitive restoration techniques and the correct choice of appropriate functions.

13 Definitions (IC) cont. Washington Charter, 1987 Conservation of historic towns and other historic urban areas should be an integral part of coherent policies of economic and social development and of urban and regional planning at every level.

14 Current definition Sustainable Integrated Conservation (SIC) means integration of concern for and protection of cultural heritage within the general process of planning and management of cities and regions. It seeks sustainable development by transforming cultural heritage into an asset that contributes to the cultural, social, political, economic, environmental and physical dimensions of the development process. (Zancheti, S. quoting H. Stovel, ITUC lectures, 2003)

15 Sustainable Building Sustainable building is often defined as the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources, that reduces negative impacts on the environment (Johansson, 2008).

16 Sustainable Design Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment and services to comply with the principles of sustainability. The intention is to "eliminate negative environmental impact completely through skillful, sensitive design, and to improve the efficiency of rapidly increasing impacts. (Source: wikipedia.org)

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18 Benefits of heritage conservation to municipalities Sustainability - Heritage conservation is sustainable in the following ways: Economically - heritage conservation can have multiple economic benefits for a community, including job growth in e.g. skilled trades, increased property values, revitalized neighborhoods and a wide array of tourism opportunities. Socially/Culturally at its core, heritage conservation is a socio-cultural activity. Not only does it remind us of our past and traditions, it acts as a point of pride and reference that can help foster awareness and confident cultural growth that respects traditions and stories of the area (i.e. identity of place ). Environmentally Reduce & Re-use. Heritage conservation helps to reduce reliance on new materials, environmentally unfriendly building materials and energy intensive production of new building materials. Heritage conservation encourages the re-use of existing building materials by extending the life of a building and its components, or rehabilitating damaged building materials. - Cited from Donovan Rypkema, European Cultural Heritage Forum 2005

19 Similarities between architectural conservation and sustainable building Sustainable building, architectural conservation and maintenance work presupposes a series of integrated operations and skills that follow each-other in subsequent steps and that are inter-dependant.

20 Sustainable Integrated Conservation (SIC) Sustainable conservation (SIC) and transformation - also referred to as sustainable renovation and/or renewal - has become an important research field, especially from the point of view of energy, technology and materials, which means upgrading and renewal of existing assets, satisfying regional development policy and goals and integration of competence and needs of various stakeholders.

21 Principles and documents The principles of SIC are defined and discussed in many international documents, such as the Agenda 21 and the Habitat Agenda etc. Most of these principles have a correspondence with those expressed in the case of integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and e.g. the environmental declarations of buildings. (SIC)

22 Systems thinking SIC adopts the view that sustainability cannot be addressed as one subject; it must be based on a multi- and transdisciplinary approach, which includes participation of local citizens and stakeholders, requiring integrative systemic thinking. Source:

23 Dimensions of sustainable building, SIC and ESD The Systemic Dimension The Creative Dimension The Managing Dimension The Cultural Dimension (Johansson, E., 2008)

24 An integrated planning, design and management process Preparatory and Proactive Planning Assessment, analysis and synthesis Development of responses Planning for implementation Implementation Management and operation

25 An Integrated and Participatory approach As a Philosophy: Cooperative approach requiring shifts in organization cultures and participants attitudes As a Process: Facilitate coordination between agencies, local governments, community groups, industry stakeholders, professional and academic disciplines, craftsmen etc. As a Product: Facilitate the development of complementary regulatory instruments, innovative cross-disciplinary methodologies, processes and tools.

26 Why an Integrated and Participatory approach? More effective protection of heritage and built environments through a participatory and preventative approach To guarantee the safeguarding of inherent qualifies, authenticity and integrity of heritage and built environments (including tangible and intangible dimensions)

27 Assessment (SIC) Proactive cross-disciplinary planning of design Sustainability and performance requirements Intangible cultural heritage aspects and needs Social, environmental and economic values Environmental and human-technological impacts and risks Significance and qualitative potentials of an existing resource (e.g. for sustainable conservation, renovation or reuse) Determination of additional competence needs for consultancy, management and operation, and Optimization of renovation/refurbishment requirements, longterm maintenance and continued use.

28 The role of conservation and traditional craft skills SIC asserts that traditional building technology, design, and preservation of historic buildings, landscapes, districts and communities should inform future building practices, providing essential models for future learning, research and development, and a more sustainable built environment (Johansson, 2008; Gustafsson et al, 2009; Procantico Proclamation, 2008).

29 On the role of traditional They represent quality and ingenuity; it forms the core of a culture and are sustainable in themselves; They provide a differential advantage to sustainable management and design through experience, know-how, sense and sensitivity of encoded tacit values and aesthetics; They provide a connection to nature and ecology through the use of natural traditional materials; crafts - Johansson, E. 2009

30 On the role of traditional crafts (cont.) They provide a connection to the hands and heart unlike any other expression, and therefore, crafts may play a more important role compared to many other sources of inspiration; They create a sense of continuity in a rapidly dematerializing world thus bridging the future and the past. To further develop, promote and integrate traditional crafts with academics i.e.with heads, would be the most sustainable solution from a social, economic and environmental point of view. - Johansson, E. 2009

31 Preventive conservation Preventive conservation in this context implies appropriate heritage management, where collaboration between disciplines, timing and frequency are crucial. It means an early identification and assessment of inherent qualities, potential risks and different values, possible damage, in avoiding the progression of damage or in reducing negative effects caused by environmental-, human-technological impact or damage, continuous long term maintenance ( Johansson; 2009).

32 Preventive maintenance From the perspective of SIC, architectural conservation and traditional craft skills and knowledge should be incorporated already at the initial planning stage i.e. as a strategic, preventative and predictive measure, where conservation represents the dynamic management of change - dynamic meaning leading to positive and enduring change and development (Feilden; 1993; Rosvall & Engelbrektsson, 2003; Johansson, 2009). The term preventative means an active strategic remedy and/or a joint strategic hindering that prevents or slows the course of degradation at an early stage (Johansson, 2008). While conservation in this sense is promoting change, it is also maintaining.

33 How to integrate? Policy level Economic policy/ legislation Cultural policy/ legislation Environmental policy/ legislation Fields of knowledge Planning level Housing Education Culture Infrastructure Tourism Project level Construction/ heritage elements Physical setting Stakeholders Economic activities Local culture

34 Integration process: 1 Integration across sectors/disciplines/agencies With regard to other conceptual frameworks and plans Relationship with other concepts/plans explained Consultation of other disciplines/agents Consultation with the general public Integration across policy areas and legislation Policy and legislative requirements for integration Strategy and rationale for integration Relationship with other policies and legislation explained Monitoring requirements

35 Integration process: 2 Integration across Information and Resources Best use of all information sources Across disciplines and sectors Identify major issues/needs, opportunities and risks Quality of objects, maps and drawings

36 Source: Industry and

37 Benefits of SIC It increases the chance to achieve heritage conservation and sustainable development goals in meaningful ways. Conservation can contribute in significant and tangible ways to human development.

38 TECHNOLOGY ARTS & CRAFT?!?! SD Figure 31. The current conserva4on and sustainability paradigm: Scholarly scien4fic problem analysis and orienta4on. (Rosvall, J, 1988).

39 Challenges (SIC) There are many other competing development interests There are different socio-cultural, and philosophical values, knowledge and technical skill sets Protection of cultural heritage should be part of overall development strategy There must be political support in the government and among the public There must be public awareness There must be increased education and training opportunities for students and the workforce as well as the general public

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41 Source:

42 Samverkansområden ÖPPENHET FÖR FÖRÄNDRING Arkeologi, Etnologi, Sociologi AKTIVITET & HANDLING Kulturvård och Hantverk Management och Ekonomi Arkitektur och Stadsplanering GOD BEBYGGD MILJÖ Konst och Design PLANERING OCH DELTAGANDE Systemvetenskap och teknologi Energi och Miljö EFFEKTIVITET OCH STANDARDS

43 Conclusion In this lecture it is argued that the conceptualization and implementation of sustainable building practices and ESD can be advanced by grounding it in the human capability and in conservation ethics in dealing with the built environment; (i.e. through continuous multi-disciplinary inspections, preventive assessments, dialogue, experimentation, demonstration and application of integrated conservation strategies and tools, combined with preventative evaluation and a re-appreciation of traditional building technologies, skills and values ( i.e. the conceptual framework of the anticipated House Master School, HMS).

44 Environmental problems Environmental opportunities?