Why is it important to manage and protect historically significant buildings and sites which represent our social, cultural past? This is the principal question we will seek to answer in this module as we explore how policies and legislation guide the protection of historic assets including those that we are at risk of losing. Introducing you to the historic development of protection and guardianship of historic sites since the emergence of the conservation movement, we will then explore the ethical and administrative challenges and debates in place today.
Focusing on heritage protection and planning systems in the UK, we will examine various kinds of statutory designation locally and nationally. The course will also explore the importance and impact of international designations, charters, and policies.
Exploring the broad range of consultancy roles in this sector, the module will evaluate how change, repair and refurbishment of historic sites is consented, funded, and managed together with the procurement strategies relevant to undertaking work on conservation projects.
Lecture: 16 hours
Seminars, Field Trips and related teaching events: 16 hours
Main Assessment Methods:
Report 1: Research Project Proposal (25%)
Report 2: Research Project Report (75%). This component is pass compulsory
Reassessment methods
Like-for-like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Analyse the concept of the historic environment and building conservation historically and theoretically and the implementation of historic environment legislation, guidance standards, charters etc.
2) Evaluate the administrative and procurement strategies for conservation projects.
3) Analyse relevant social, political, cultural, aesthetic, economic and environmental factors and their impact on heritage at risk, including funding and investment in the historic environment.
4) Critically analyse the past, current and future conservation issues of the legislative framework to a specific case study of heritage at risk.
5) Communicate professionally using a range of skills and presentation including research, a wide-ranging bibliography, application of an appropriate citation convention and accuracy of spelling, punctuation, syntax, and grammar.
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