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The rebuilding of war-damaged historic cities has a significant impact on the way the affected societies can heal and recover in the post-conflict situation. If carried out without taking into consideration the inseparable relationship between the built structures and the formation of people’s identity, the reconstruction processes could cause more damage than the one endured due to the conflict. In this context, the rebuilding of cities and their historic centres in particular play a significant role in restoring the collective memory of the shared setting.
This dissertation researches the disturbing effects and trauma resulting from the deliberate destruction of heritage assets during armed conflicts, concerning both inhabitants and ancient urban structures. It discusses the discourse on the issue of post-conflict reconstruction that includes the arguments and recommendations made by several international experts and organizations which stipulates with both theoretical and practical outcome. The work of many theorists, authors, architects, philosophers, and professionals working in the field of heritage management, is examined thoroughly to provide a deep understanding of the issues discussed throughout this research.
The most recent illustration within this context is the war in Syria, which has caused excessive damage to the country’s cultural heritage. Noting that the military clashes have come to an end in several areas within the country and the physical damage has stopped, reconstruction projects have begun to materialize, and the urgent need for an overall consistent framework for rebuilding Syria is more crucial than ever.
Syria’s cultural heritage is facing a high threat of a second destruction, which will most likely follow if the involved governmental representatives, stakeholders, society or ‘societies’ did not realize the fundamental necessity for a value-based reconstruction approach which guarantees that the assessment of values is carried out and achieved in a balanced manner. Otherwise, mistakes will occur, and consequently, the collective memory and identity of the Syrians might never be recovered.
The rebuilding of post-war Syria is complex and challenging; it embraces more than a physical transformation of urban structures, and poses new threats to achieve psychological healing and recovering. The urban integrity of the Syrian cities is threatened, especially in the old city of Aleppo where the damage goes beyond the physical fabric and extends to endanger the city’s historical identity. Therefore, the main focus of the work is to develop a strategic framework which goes hand in hand with the traditional rebuilding approaches, and merges several practical and theoretical contexts deduced from previous case studies. The essence of the research revolves around understanding the significance of the city’s heritage and historic fabric, which must be considered a priority when deciding for the reconstruction procedures.
Fourth International Conference on Heritage Conservation and Site Management December 5–7, 2016, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
The destructive effects of war, and particularly the deliberate targeting of cultural sites, constitute an exceptional challenge for Heritage Conservation. The general principles of retaining cultural significance by continuous care and by minimal intervention may seem of little use when one is faced with catastrophic and wide-spread damage to culturally significant places – be they individual monuments, urban structures or archaeological sites. Post-conflict recovery encompasses a wide range of topics, many of which have not yet been studied in depth.
This puplication presents papers presented during the conference on »Cultural Heritage in Post-Conflict Recovery«. The conference, held in December 2016 was the fourth out of the series »Heritage Conservation and Site Management«, initiated both by BTU Cottbus–Senftenberg and Helwan University Cairo. The conference series is linked to their Joint Master Programme »Heritage Conservation and Site Management«. Adressing the subject of Post-Conflict Recovery, BTU Cottbus–Senftenberg and Helwan University Cairo are taking a first step towards sketching the scope and the depth of the problems of Heritage and War. Speakers from many countries are providing insights into approaches to cope with these problems.