Conservation of cultural heritage from the perspective of sustainability


Published: Jun 18, 2024
Keywords:
Conservation sustainability Cultural heritage
Paola Bordoni
Abstract

In recent decades, in a scenario of instability given by resource constraints, environmental crises and climate change, there has been a paradigm shift requiring new, more sustainable models, also involving the field of cultural heritage conservation. A new approach, based on an overall and more comprehensive view of conservation processes, is required, which calls for a re-evaluation of intervention strategies taking into account the different conservation operations and their implications. To this end, many directions are being taken to apply sustainability principles to the environmental, economic and social aspects of cultural heritage conservation.


However, the absence of a recognised definition of sustainability in restoration interventions and the lack of systemic principles to refer to still leaves many questions open in the field of conservation. Considering the aspect related to restoration products, the absence of parameters often leads to the diffusion and misuse of the term ‘sustainable’ in an indistinct semantic boundary where terms referring to ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’ practices alternate, mainly involving the environmental dimension of sustainability in conservation practices.


Starting from a semantic review of sustainability, the study aims to provide an integrated analysis of possible sustainability parameters to be integrated into assessment tools for restoration interventions, with reference to environmental, economic and social aspects, and in consideration of the compatibility, durability and effectiveness aspects of conservation interventions.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Part VII - Technologies for Damage Rehabilitation and Sustainable Preservation
Author Biography
Paola Bordoni

Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Architettura (DIDA), Florence FI 50121, Italy

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