Are you ready? Why is it important to plan for cultural heritage

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Contessi, Michela; Sadowski, Mirosław M. and Bonaviri, Gianluigi Mastandrea and Ceccotti, Filippo, eds. (2025) Are you ready? Why is it important to plan for cultural heritage. In: Heritage in War and Peace IV. University of Strathclyde Publishing, Glasgow. ISBN 9781914241802 (https://doi.org/10.17868/strath.00093385)

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Abstract

This article explores how the application of Disaster Risk Management Cycle for Cultural Heritage (DRMC for CH) in the prevention and planning phases is crucial to the protection of cultural heritage. Several successful case studies demonstrate how preventive strategies and structured management approaches can effectively safeguard cultural assets from wars and earthquakes. The evidence confirms that, even in challenging contexts, strategic planning can significantly reduce risks and ensure the preservation of works of art and historic buildings. Proactive planning and preparation in peacetime are fundamental to responding effectively to emergencies and protecting the cultural identity of communities and global heritage. Cultural heritage, which includes monuments, historic buildings, artworks, and intangible traditions, represents the foundation of our identity and collective memory. Each element of this heritage is the result of centuries of history, culture, and innovation, shaping not only a nation's cultural landscape but also the shared history of humanity. The loss of cultural heritage is not just a material setback but an irreparable loss for humankind. Therefore, its protection is a responsibility that transcends national boundaries and is essential for preserving our collective identity. In recent decades, the importance of developing and implementing effective policies to protect cultural heritage from natural disasters and conflicts has been increasingly recognised by the scientific and cultural community worldwide. International documents such as the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage have strengthened the concept of global heritage protection, highlighting the need to develop prevention plans and timely responses. Additionally, initiatives such as UNESCO’s Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage, which draws on global experience and best practices, have encouraged the international community to work together in a more coordinated manner. Recent documents such as the ‘Principles of Cultural Heritage Resilience’ and the guidelines provided by the World Heritage Convention are essential for understanding the importance of planning and early intervention in the protection of cultural heritage. International cooperation, combined with the application of innovative risk management techniques, has played a pivotal role in enhancing disaster preparedness and ensuring that cultural heritage is neither destroyed nor irreversibly damaged.

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)