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Assessing authenticity in heritage conservation : case study : architectural conservation in Bahrain
(2023)
The thesis complements the authenticity discourse in heritage conservation with the perspective of laypeople and evaluates the pertinent methodology for the application of the normative concept in architectural heritage conservation. Based on the Nara Document on Authenticity, the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention anchor the concept in the credibility and truthfulness of internal and external factors – referred to as information sources – that communicate a heritage site’s cultural values. Conversely, the author explored the truthfulness of messages conveyed to site users in a qualitative research based on interviews focused on two urban reference sites in Bahrain. These stand for different eras and conservation approaches: the ensemble of colonial-style governmental buildings at Bab al-Bahrain in Manama and the vernacular Siyadi Shops in the market area Suq al-Qaisariya in Muharraq, which were restored in the course of a World Heritage nomination. The interpretive content analysis compares how architects and non-architects, who represent laypeople in architectural conservation, perceived their authenticity and also traces cultural contingencies. The empirical data confirms pronounced differences in the way architects and non-architects perceive authenticity but only a few between representatives of so-called Western and Eastern cultures. Assessed against international heritage conservation standards, the site in Muharraq proved more authentic than the one in Manama. However, the meanings produced in the interaction between the sites and the interviewees proved be of limited truthfulness in both cases. A key finding is hence that a constructivist authenticity concept can serve no normative function when heritage conservation is considered a discipline at the service of historiography. While all potential factors of authenticity as per the Nara Document proved to be relevant, perceived material authenticity was found to be an outstanding reason why the site in Muharraq was appreciated more. Its rehabilitation was found to successfully reconcile essentialist and constructivist authenticity understandings by paying tribute both to the documentary value of the historic site and to the experiential needs of its users. The findings support the ICOMOS Venice Charter’s material-focused approach while confirming the relevance of a broadened authenticity understanding and highlighting the importance of integrated, participatory approaches to heritage conservation. By illustrating the importance of expertise when assessing the authenticity of architectural heritage, the findings at the same time flag limits to democratizing architectural conservation practice. The author recommends developing practice-oriented guidance for the assessment of authenticity of heritage sites based on further research and to add interpretation facilities to the list of factors of authenticity.
For more than a decade, the interconnected structures of the Buddhist earthen heritage in Wanla village/Ladakh, illustrated most prominently by the historic Avalokiteshvara Temple, have been researched, conserved, and restored by the NGOs Achi Association and Achi Association India. In the fifteen articles of this publication, the interdisciplinary team of architects, art conservators, conservation scientists, art historians, and archaeologists present the results of their work with the village community for the preservation of this exceptional cultural heritage. They provide insights into a training programme for young people interested in their heritage, and explain the art historical details, construction techniques, building materials, building archaeology, and state of conservation of these structures, as well as the iconography of art works. This is all enriched by the conservation reports and documentation of several buildings.
All these efforts combined three major approaches: a fabric-based and a value-based analysis and assessment, along with a people-centred conservation.
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.
The publication addresses architectural conservation as a discipline that plays a vital role in the construction of identities, and therefore, is prone to being appropriated for political purposes. The publication contains 14 research papers that reflect diverse ideologised memorialisation processes and have been grouped by three sub-themes: destruction/reconstruction, transformation, and interpretation. The international contributors from diverse academic backgrounds discuss heritage politics in different cultural regions, nation-states, and political systems in order to investigate cases of ideologised heritage conservation and their relationship to religion, history, and politics.