ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION

Module II
Asso. Prof. Salabha T G
IES College of Architecture
History of Architectural Conservation
• As a movement, architectural conservation and the preservation of ancient
structures gained momentum during the 18th and 19th centuries.

• It was a response to Modernism and its corresponding architectural

perspective, which eschewed sentimental attachment to old buildings
and structures in favor of technological and architectural progress
and change.
•
• Prior to this time most of the ancient buildings that were still standing had
only survived because they either had significant cultural or
religious import, or they had yet to be discovered.

• The growth of the architectural conservation movement took place

at a time of significant archaeological discovery and scientific
advancement.

• Those educated in the field began to see various examples of architecture as

either being "correct" or "incorrect". Because of this, two schools of thought
began to emerge within the field of building conservation.
History of Architectural Conservation
•In the mid-nineteenth century, criticism –headed by John Ruskin –
was directed at the fashion of stylistic restoration, the often
arbitrary renewal and reconstruction of historic fabric.

•As a result of the, efforts of William Morris and the Society for the
Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), the conservation
movement spread abroad to France, German countries, Greece, Italy,
and even to other continents, e.g., to India.

•While initially leading a movement based on criticism,

conservation gradually became accepted as the modern
approach to the care of historic buildings and works of art, and
thus also the principal reference for the policies of maintenance and
conservative repair.
History of Architectural Conservation
Schools of Thoughts in Building Conservation

1. Preservation/Conservation
• either encouraged measures that would protect and maintain buildings
in their current state, or would prevent further damage and
deterioration to them.
• This school of thought saw the original design of old buildings as
correct in and of themselves.
• Two of the main proponents of preservation and conservation in the 19th
century were art critic John Ruskin and artist William Morris.

2. Restoration
• believed historic buildings could be improved, and sometimes even
completed, using current day materials, design, and techniques.
• In this way it's very similar to the Modernist architectural theory, except it does
not advocate the destruction of ancient structures.
• One of the most ardent supporters of this school of thought in the 19th century
was French architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
 JOHN RUSKIN (1819-1900)
• Art critic and theorist
• The principal protagonist in the anti-restoration movement- that criticized
restoration architects for the destruction of the historical authenticity of the
buildings, and fought for their protection, conservation and maintenance.

• He detected and denounced any sort of restoration. As a result, in the English

language, the word ‘restoration’ came to indicate something negative, and, in due
time, was replaced by the word ‘conservation’; the movement itself became the
‘conservation movement’.
• Provided foundation for modern conservation philosophies
• Ruskin did not write a theory of conservation, but he
identified the values and the significance of historic
buildings and objects more clearly.

• He looked at architecture at different levels, from the whole spatial and

compositional disposition down to the minute details and the choice of
materials (Unrau,1978).

• His principal works in relation to the arts were the five volumes
of Modern Painters (1843–60), three volumes of The Stones of
Venice (1851–53) and the The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849).
 JOHN RUSKIN (1819-1900)

•The classic reference in

his writings concerning ‘restoration’ is
The Seven Lamps of Architecture -his
contribution to the debate on the
definition of the qualities and
values of architecture in general.

•The lamps, or the guiding

principles, Ruskin identified as:
sacrifice, truth, power, beauty, life,
memory and obedience.

•The seven lamps were conceived by

Ruskin as the seven fundamental and
cardinal laws to be observed and
obeyed by any conscientious
architect and builder.
It an extended essay, first published in May
1849 and written by the English art critic
and theorist John Ruskin.
 JOHN RUSKIN (1819-1900)
•Sacrifice – dedication of man's craft to God, as visible proofs of man's love and
obedience.

•Truth – handcrafted and honest display of materials and structure. Truth to materials
and honest display of construction

•Power – buildings should be thought of in terms of their massing and reach towards
the sublimity of nature by the action of the human mind upon them and the
organization of physical effort in constructing buildings.

•Beauty – aspiration towards God expressed in ornamentation drawn from nature, his
creation

•Life – buildings should be made by human hands, so that the joy of masons and
stonecarvers is associated with the expressive freedom given them

•Memory – buildings should respect the culture from which they have developed

•Obedience – no originality for its own sake, but conforming to the finest among
existing values
WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896)
 English writer, poet, , and social activist.
 a leading member of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
 Involvement in architecture and love for history led to the
foundation of Society for the Protection of Ancient
Buildings (S. P. A. B) in 1877.
 He extended the concept of art beyond the traditional three
great arts, architecture, sculpture and painting, to what he
called the ‘lesser arts’, the artistically creative design of all
objects used by man.

 Morris was against stylistic restoration -, which he described as

"forgery", of attempting to return functioning buildings to an idealised state from
the distant past, which often involved the removal of elements added in their later
development.
 Instead, he proposed that ancient buildings should be repaired, not
restored, so that their entire history would be protected as cultural heritage.
 His preservation work resulted indirectly in the founding of the National Trust.
Another aspect of Morris' preservationism was his desire to protect the natural world
from the ravages of pollution and industrialism and is a forerunner of modern
environmentalism
FORMATION OF SPAB
• Founded by William Morris in 1877. Other important founding members-
John Ruskin, Philip Webb- ‘anti-scrape society’ the driving force for several
years.

• the oldest and largest national pressure group in the UK fighting to save old
buildings from decay, demolition and damage.

• The Society had an important role to play in uniting the forces against
conjectural restoration, and promoting maintenance and
conservative treatment.

• The Manifesto became the formal basis for modern conservation

policy.

• The leading principles of SPAB were ‘conservative repair’ and ‘to

stave off decay by daily care’.

• The Society offers a technical advice service, short courses, and an excellent
series of information leaflets on the care and repair of historic buildings.
• .
EUGÈNE VIOLLET-LE-DUC (1814-1879)
• A French architect and theorist.
• Famous for his "restorations" of medieval buildings.
• Central figure in the Gothic Revival in France
• He defined architecture as a response to a structural
problem, set by functional needs.
• He was in the public discourse on "honesty" in
architecture, which eventually transcended all revival
styles, to inform the emerging spirit of Modernism.
• His philosophy was "to restore the building to a state of
completeness that may never have existed."

•Viollet-le-Duc´s controversial theory and his classic concept of restoration had

impressive practical repercussions which are still to large extent well-accepted by the
general public.
“The word and the subject are modern. To restore a building is not to maintain it, repair
it or refurbish it, it means to reestablish it to a state of completeness that may have never
existed, at any given moment” (Viollet-le-Duc, 2000: 29).
This scholar’s fundamental concepts are based on the central importance of the
building´s completeness and its respect for “stylistic unity”.
.
EUGÈNE VIOLLET-LE-DUC (1814-1879)
• The idea and the very word restoration applied to architecture Viollet-le-Duc is
considered part of a modern innovation.
• His "restorations" frequently combined historical fact with creative modification or
updation.
• made up the truth by updating architecture and adding architectural
elements that had never existed. Through his “stylistic cleaning”, he removed
younger parts of monuments that did not date back to the Middle Ages and replaced
them with new ones.
• introduced many architectural innovations using modern materials,
including wrought iron and cast iron in historical buildings to achieve both
construction stability and the appearance of newness, while to some extent denying
the status of a historical building.
• With his aggressive restoration and stylistic reconstruction, Viollet-le-Duc
sought to achieve an idealist form and a generally grander architecture;
• the first to emphasise the importance of social and economic aspects of
historic buildings.
• His architectural theory was largely based on finding the ideal forms for specific
materials, and using these forms to create buildings.
SCRAPE AND ANTI-SCRAPE SOCIETIES
The extreme ends of preservation theory. Though opposite in their means, both
are justifiable when knowledgeably exercised and differ in what is
preserved.

Scrape philosophy

Heritage
•first practiced by Eugene Emmanuel Viollet-
le-Duc and his school before it came to be called
Scrape philosophy, removed later construction SCRAPE
from an architectural object to restore it to
Period
Restoration Violet Le
its original conception. Duc

•literally scraped down the layers of the past,

providing the “completeness” of a historic moment.
Scrape and Anti-scrape Societies
Anti-scrape
•originated in references to William Morris’ Society for the Protection of Ancient
Buildings (SPAB) in the late 19th century

•Morris, in his 1877 Manifesto for the Society for the Protection of Ancient
Buildings opposed stripping a building "of its life" and urged "Protection in
place of Restoration.“

• Two decades before Morris had started his society, Victorian art critic John Ruskin
in The Seven Lamps of Architecture had voiced opposition to some of the
restoration efforts of his age (particularly those undertaken in France).

•The anti-scrape conservation theory and history align with the more prevalent practices
of historic preservation today and reflect the ever-present role of history in the
movement.

•Though both philosophies are practiced today, present thought tends toward an
anti-scrape approach as the definition of what is deemed to be significant.

•preserving the "existing fabric“ -one of the primary goals of preservation efforts.
Scrape and Anti-scrape Societies
History

Anti-scrape model of John Ruskin and William

ANTI
Morris / Historic preservation SCRAPE

Heritage
Preservation Ruskin &
Morris

•utilizes both history and heritage in varying degrees to preserve cultural

resources a more insightful understanding of historic significance in
conserving monuments
•employs each architectural layer and narrative voice to interpret the
authenticity of the past and reflect the collective values of history.
•Helps to see the past “exactly as it was.”
•Building as a historic document,- allows each architectural detail to be expressed
as a fact, to “read” evolution and significance.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICCROM
• The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and
Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) is an intergovernmental
organization dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide
through training, information, research, cooperation and advocacy
programmes.
• It aims to enhance the field of conservation-restoration and raise awareness to
the importance and fragility of cultural heritage.

• The creation of the Centre took place as a result of a proposal at the UNESCO
General Conference held in New Delhi, in 1956. Three years later, the Centre
was established in Rome, Italy, where its headquarters remain to this day.

• ICCROM responds to the needs of its Member States, which are currently at
137.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICCROM

History :

The end of the Second World War came with the need to repair
monuments and other forms of cultural heritage that had been
either damaged or destroyed. At the same time, other countries
were emerging from colonization and were eager to industrialize,
reclaim and redefine their cultural identity, and train personnel
to preserve their heritage.

On an international level, there was a lack of cohesive training

and authoritative bodies to guide countries in rebuilding and
protecting their heritage. Thus, during the Sixth Session of the
UNESCO General Conference (1951), the Swiss government
introduced a resolution that proposed the establishment of an
international centre to encourage the study and awareness of
methods of conservation on a global scale. This was adopted and
a committee of experts were put together to decide upon the role
and functions of this institution.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICCROM
Mission :

'ICCROM', shall contribute to the worldwide conservation and restoration of cultural

property by initiating, developing, promoting and facilitating conditions for such
conservation and restoration. ICCROM shall exercise, in particular, the following
functions:

 collect, study and circulate information concerned with scientific, technical and
ethical issues relating to the conservation and restoration of cultural property;
 coordinate, stimulate or institute research in this domain by means, in particular, of
assignments entrusted to bodies or experts, international meetings, publications and
the exchange of specialists;
 give advice and make recommendations on general or specific questions relating to
the conservation and restoration of cultural property;
 promote, develop and provide training relating to the conservation and restoration
of cultural property and raise the standards and practice of conservation and
restoration work;
 encourage initiatives that create a better understanding of the conservation and
restoration of cultural property.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICCROM
Activities :
ICCROM's mission is fulfilled through five areas of activity: training, information,
research, cooperation and advocacy.
1) Training:
• capacity building through the development of educational materials, training
activities worldwide, internships and fellows.
• Since 1965, ICCROM has offered courses to mid-career professionals on a wide range
of topics that include
• archaeological site conservation, architectural records and inventories, built
heritage conservation, conservation decision making, cultural heritage
management, preventive conservation in museums and risk management to
endangered collections
• on specific materials such as stone, wood, or sound and image collections
• the conservation of heritage in specific regional areas
2. Information:
• The ICCROM library is one of the world’s leading sources of information on the
conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
• The website is a portal to comprehensive information about courses, activities,
international events, and employment and training opportunities in the conservation
field.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICCROM
3)Research: ICCROM facilitates a vast network of
conservation professionals and institutions through
which it organizes and coordinates meetings to devise
common approaches and methodologies. It also
promotes the definition of internationally agreed ethics,
criteria and technical standards for conservation
practice. The in-house laboratory is also a reference
point and resource for professionals, course
participants, interns and fellows of the organization.

4)Cooperation: ICCROM carries out all of its activities

in collaboration with a vast number of institutional and
professional partners. Additionally, it serves its
Member States in the form of collaborative projects,
training, and technical advice.

5)Advocacy: ICCROM disseminates teaching materials

and organizes workshops and conferences to raise
public awareness and support for conservation.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICOMOS
•ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is a global
non-governmental organization associated with UNESCO.
• Its mission is to promote the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of
monuments, building complexes and sites.
•It is an advisory body of the world heritage Committee for the implementation of the
World Heritage Convention of UNESCO.
•It reviews the nominations of cultural world heritage and ensures the conservation
status of properties. Old city of Sanaa,
Yemen, in 2006 before
MISSION the war

• It is the only global non-government organisation dedicated to promoting the

application of theory, methodology, and scientific techniques to the conservation of
the architectural and archaeological heritage.
• Its work is based on the principles enshrined in the 1964 -the Venice
Charter
CONTENTS
• The members of ICOMOS contribute to improving the preservation of heritage, the
standards and the techniques for each type of cultural heritage property: buildings,
historic cities, cultural landscapes and archaeological sites
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICOMOS
From the emergence of the concept of World Heritage to the creation of
ICOMOS
•Until the end of the 19th century, Countless associations existed in each country, but
their scope never went beyond national borders.
•The Athens conference and Athens charter introduced the concept of international
heritage for the first time in history.

• The Second Congress of Architects and Specialists of HistoricOldBuildings, in Venice

city of Sanaa,
in 1964, adopted 13 resolutions Yemen, in 2006 before
•The first one being the International Restoration Charter, better known
the waras
the Venice Charter, and the second one, put forward by UNESCO, provided for the
creation of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

CONTENTS
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICOMOS
ICOMOS is composed of
1. National Committees
2. International Scientific Committees (ISCs)

NATIONAL COMMITTEES
• subsidiary organizations created in the countries which are members of UNESCO.
They bring together individual and institutional members and offer them a
framework for discussion and an exchange of information.
•ICOMOS-UK- United Kingdom National Committee Old city of Sanaa,
•ICOMOS Ireland - Ireland National Committee Yemen, in 2006 before
•USICOMOS- National Committee United States of America the war
•Australia ICOMOS - National Committee Australia

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES
• Usually known as "international scientific committees" (ISCs), these entities focus
on specialised areas of heritage conservation and are made up of members of the
CONTENTS
organisation drawn from those specialist areas.
• The scientific programmes of the organisation are coordinated by the 'scientific
council" made up of the presidents of the ISCs.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
ICOMOS

FUNCTIONS
•Disseminating knowledge
•International Involvement
•Observatory /Risk Preparedness and Emergency Response
•Education,Training and projects

•HERITAGE AT RISK
Old city of Sanaa,
Yemen, inat2006
•The Heritage at Risk program was endorsed by ICOMOS members before
the General
Assembly in Mexico in 1999. the war
•The aim of these reports is to identify threatened heritage places, monuments
and sites, present typical case studies and trends, and share suggestions for solving
individual or global threats to our cultural heritage.
• Each year an invitation is made to all ICOMOS National Committees, International
Scientific Committees and ICOMOS' world-wide professional network, to provide
CONTENTS
short reports outlining risks in their country or area of expertise including case studies.

122
History of conservation in India

• In India, the first instance of conservation was when Emperor Ashoka

ordered to conserve wildlife in the 3rd century BC.
• Then in the 14th century AD, Firuz Shah Tughlaq ordered to protect
ancient buildings.
• during the British Rule:
“Bengal Regulation (XIX)” passed in 1810
 “Madras Regulation (VII)” passed in 1817.
vested the government with the power to intervene whenever the public
buildings were under threat of misuse.
• in 1863, Act XX was passed which authorised the government to “prevent
injury to and preserve buildings remarkable for their antiquity or for their
historical or architectural value”
History of conservation in India
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)- established in 1861 to initiate legal
provision to protect the historical structures all over India.
• The “Ancient Monuments Preservation Act (VII)” -passed in 1904 which
provided effective preservation and authority over the monuments
• 1905 for the first time, 20 historic structures in Delhi were ordered to be protected.
• At the time of independence, 151 buildings and complexes in Delhi were protected by
the central ASI.
• The State Department of Archaeology was set up in 1978 in Delhi, but it
lacks the power to acquire or protect buildings, and merely looks after some
monuments de-notified by ASI.
• In 1984, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
was founded to stimulate awareness for conservation of cultural heritage among the
people
Conservation as a movement in India..
History of Architectural Conservation
Conservation as a movement in India..
• Essentially an occidental phenomenon in attaching importance to the built
(tangible) remains of the past
• British view of Indian architecture and archaeological sites as ‘picturesque’ and
‘romantic’; to preserve these as archaeological ruins
• Influenced with SPAB philosophy – with its view of minimum tampering and
intervention enough to ‘stave off the decay’

• First hundred years a golden era in the history of ASI – with stupendous works
carried out by its archaeologists and engineers;
- Discovery and preservation of sites;
- documentation of sites and of conservation works undertaken – a
regular and a necessary formality;
- Publication of Conservation manual,
- Archaeological works code….
History of Architectural Conservation
Conservation as a movement in India..

Sir John Marshall’s Conservation Manual (1922)

• One of the most comprehensive documents exclusively on conservation written
of its time perhaps in the entire world
• Drawing from the best conservation practices in Europe and adaptation to the
Indian context
• A systematic approach to conservation of monuments

Divided into 2 parts:

• Part I – All essential government orders regarding maintenance of monuments

and conduct of conservation works, duties of various officers and principles
and procedures to be followed by them

• Part II – Detailed instructions and specifications on various aspects related to

the conservation of ancient monuments
NATIONAL AGENCIES

The agencies concerned with the heritage are:

1. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
2. State departments of Archaeology
3. Town Planning departments
4. State Art and Heritage Commission
5. INTACH

CONTENTS

122
NATIONAL AGENCIES
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (ASI)
 ASI established in 1861; a Historic Institution in itself
the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the
cultural heritage of the nation.
 Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of
national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.
 regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
 also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
operations now are undertaken by 24 circles and two separate directorates for
Horticulture and Science
CONTENTS

122
NATIONAL AGENCIES
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (ASI)
RESPONSIBILITIES
•Designation and protection of monuments, archaeological sites and remains of
national significance as well as the management of designated World Heritage Sites.

•Coordinate with local governments to prohibit, restrict and regulate development in

the areas (100+200m buffer zones) demarcated around the protected area of each
national monument.

•Carrying out village-to-village survey of antiquarian remains; exploration of

archaeological sites, documentation of loose sculptures;
•Excavation of archaeological sites;

•Issuing of NOC for any sort of construction, additions and alterations to existing
structures or new constructions coming under 100 m to 300 m (regulated area) from
the protected monuments;

CONTENTS
•Organizing public awareness programmes
•Registration of antiquities and issuing non-antiquity certificates;
NATIONAL AGENCIES
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (ASI)
ACTIVITIES

 Conducting archaeological explorations and excavations;

 Chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains;

 Architectural survey of monuments;

 Epigraphical and numismatic studies;

 Bringing out archaeological publications;

 Horticulture operation in and around ancient monuments and sites.

 Implementation and regulation of - The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological

CONTENTS
Sites and Remains Act, 1958;
NATIONAL AGENCIES
INDIAN NATIONAL TRUST FOR ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
(INTACH)
•founded in 1984 in New Delhi with the vision to spearhead heritage awareness and
conservation in India.
•Today recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage organizations, with over 190
Chapters across the Country.
•In the past 31 years INTACH has pioneered the conservation and preservation of not
just our natural and built heritage but intangible heritage as well.
•Headquartered in New Delhi, it operates through various divisions such as
Architectural Heritage, Natural Heritage, Material Heritage, Intangible Cultural
Heritage, Heritage Education and Communication Services (HECS), Crafts and
Community Cell, Chapters, INTACH Heritage Academy, Heritage Tourism, Listing Cell
CONTENTS
and Library, Archives and Documentation Centre.
NATIONAL AGENCIES
INDIAN NATIONAL TRUST FOR ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
(INTACH)
•Sensitise the public about the pluralistic cultural legacy of India
•Instill a sense of social responsibility towards preserving India's common heritage
•Protect and preserve India's living, built, and natural heritage by undertaking
necessary actions and measures
•Document unprotected buildings of archaeological, architectural, historic and
aesthetic significance, as well as the cultural resources.
•Develop heritage policies and regulations, and make legal interventions to protect
India's heritage when necessary
•Provide expertise in the field of conservation, restoration and preservation of specific
works of art; and encourage capacity-building by developing skills through training
programmes
•Undertake emergency response measures during natural or man-made disasters and
support the local administration whenever heritage is threatened
•Foster collaborations, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and partnerships with
government and other national and international agencies
CONTENTS
•Generate sponsorships for conservation and educational projects
NATIONAL AGENCIES
URBAN ARTS COMMISSION

• play a dominant role in prolonging the heritage.

• Providing guidelines for new development in continuity
and integrity with existing one.

•authority or panel of experts having expertise on art, culture,

architecture, town planning, management etc, for formulating
guidelines for planning development in the cities
prolonging the inherited property. Old v/s New Development

•to check the pace of urbanisation along with

conservation of rich heritage in the city.

•an administrative body, pursue their goals through publications,

technical consultation in construction projects, advisory functions
in planning committees, appraisals, legal action and financial
grants for pioneering projects.

•In context of India, urban arts commission exist at present in

Delhi and Bangalore.
NATIONAL AGENCIES
HERIATGE COMMISION
•A commission that identifies heritage buildings, monuments, precincts and sites and
conveys the measures for their restoration and preservation is termed as a heritage
commision.
•The suggested measures comes up as "act".
•Each state has its own heritage commission act.

RESPONSIBILITIES
•Preparing a classification of buildings in certain grades, after due scrutiny of
applications
•Advising the Government on any alteration, modification or relaxation of any
law for development, control and conservation of any heritage building
•Framing special regulations for listed heritage buildings
•Finalizing special designs and guidelines for heritage buildings
•Deciding on penal measures for defacing or destroying a building
•Regulating the installation of advertising and displays near heritage buildings
NATIONAL AGENCIES
HERIATGE COMMISION
RESPONSIBILITIES
•Advising Government
on guidelines for private parties sponsoring beautification schemes
on provision for restoration of buildings and documentation of records concerning
heritage buildings
•Advising local authorities on the policy of granting development rights for any heritage
building
•Advising on the costs of repair and the modes of fund generation for the same

•Helping in gauging public opinion on efforts for creating awareness, preserving and
maintaining heritage
•Deciding on incentives by way of rates, taxes and fees as well as water charges for heritage
structure.
•Deciding on whether heritage buildings can be used for commercial purposes
Charters for Conservation
• Advent of Charters as a necessity to save monuments and historical buildings
from wanton destruction in the early 20th Century and around the two World
Wars.
- Athens Charter in 1931
- Venice Charter in 1964
- Burra Charter (for Intangible heritage) in 1992
- Nara Document (on Authenticity) in 1995

• Series of charters to elaborate upon areas of operation and fine-tuning

conservation efforts..
o Florence Charter in 1981 – Historic Gardens
o Washington Charter in 1987 – Historic towns and Urban areas
o Charter for Protection and Management of Archaeological Sites in 1990
o Charter for Protection and Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage in
1996
o International Cultural Tourism charter (1999)
o Charter on Built Vernacular Heritage (1999)
Charters for Conservation
Basic Framework of a Charter
• Need for a Charter
• Elaboration on the definition of heritage
• Elaboration of principles of conservation
• Documentation (incl. publication and storage of information)
• Legal measures to be adopted
• Multi-disciplinary approach to conservation
• Exchange of knowledge
Charters for Conservation
VENICE CHARTER 1964
• a set of guidelines, drawn up in 1964 in the Second International Congress of
Architects and Technicians of Historic Buildings in Venice, that provides an
international framework for the conservation and restoration of historic
buildings.
• consisted of seven main titles and sixteen articles. The concept of historic
monuments and sites was interpreted as the common heritage, therefore
safeguarding them for the future generations with authenticity being defined as the
common responsibility.
• codifies internationally accepted standards of conservation practice relating to
architecture and sites.
• sets forth principles of conservation based on the concept of authenticity and the
importance of maintaining the historical and physical context of a site or building.
• continues to be the most influential international conservation document.
• states that monuments are to be conserved not only as works of art but also as
historical evidence.
• also sets down the principles of preservation, which relate to restoration of buildings
with work from different periods.

•
Charters for Conservation
BURRA CHARTER 1979

• a national charter that establishes principles for the management and conservation
of cultural sites in Australia.
• accepted the philosophy and concepts of the ICOMOS Venice Charter, but wrote
them in a form which would be practical and useful in Australia.
• has been revised on four occasions since its first inception in 1979 and has been
internationally influential in providing standard guidelines for heritage conservation
practice.
• particularly significant for its definition of cultural significance and the standards it
outlines for using cultural significance to manage and conserve cultural sites.
• It provides an example of how international principles can be adapted to the values
and needs of a particular nation or particular cultural groups within that nation.
•
Charters for Conservation
BURRA CHARTER 1979

Charter begins with a series of definitions, such as :

• Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value
for past, present or future generations.
• Conservation means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its
cultural significance.
• The types of actions that might be taken in the Conservation of a heritage place are
defined as :
• Preservation: Maintaining a place in its existing state and preventing further
deterioration.
• Restoration: Returning a place to a known earlier state by removing accretions or
by reassembling existing elements without the introduction of new material.
• Reconstruction: Returning a place to a known if there is sufficient evidence. and is
distinguished from restoration by the introduction of new material.