Module 1: History and Theory of Restoration
It was during the 19th c. that restoration became a real issue in Europe: our efforts will focus on the debate between the theories of Viollet-le-Duc and those of Ruskin, as representatives of opposite concepts of the monument and its preservation. Twentieth century theoretical development brought into being the various Charters on conservation, along with the W. H. Convention and its implementation instrument, the Practical Guidelines. These are constantly in the process of adjusting to an ever richer and more complex reality, which will be analysed in this part of the course.
Module 2: Analysing a relevant number of Nominations around the world
Through the analyses, the students will get acquainted with the procedures, the different problems to be dealt with and, in more than one case, the contradictions, involved in the process. These are the sites:
Austria : Hallstatt-Dachstein/ Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, Wachau Cultural Landscape;
China: Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde, Longmen Grottoes;
Germany: Dresden Elbe Valley (listed in 2004, delisted in 2009), Classical Weimar (with Goethe’s House);
India: Mountain Railways of India (limited to the first, The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway);
Iran: Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran;
Italy: as above indicated;
Japan: Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama;
Libya: Old Town of Ghadames;
Mexico: Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco;
Nepal: Kathmandu Valley;
Thailand: Historic City of Ayutthaya;
UK: Frontiers of the Roman Empire (limited to Hadrian’s Wall), Blenheim Palace.
Module 3: Nomination fieldwork in four Italian WHS
The sustainability of the Nomination of a WHS, along with its Management Plan (MP) are both essential requirements. How do they work in the four Veneto WH sites? We will try to verify if the legal framework for their protection, and the tools foreseen by the MP, are working efficiently or not. Summing up the results of our analyses, we will be able to validate the Nomination Dossier criteria, the division of the core and buffer zone, and finally to evaluate the efficiency of the Management Plan, each student writing a report for his/her chosen WHS.
Teaching and Evaluation methods:
Lectures for the first two modules, with some discussion seminars starting with the second module; then, site visits and more discussion seminars with the presentations in progress of the students.
The exam will consist in the presentation of a written report (3600 words plus illustrations) for the chosen WHS by each student or group of students.
20% Participation
30% Presentation
50% Student final written report
(to be discusses in a seminar, assessing the reading load)
-N. Stanley Price, M. Kirby Talley Jr., A. Melucco Vaccaro (eds), Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1996.
-J. Jokilehto, A history of architectural conservation, Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999.
-G. Gianighian, Italy, in R. Pickard (ed), Conservation of the European Built Heritage Series (Volume 1°): Policy and Law in Heritage Conservation, E&FN SPON, London & New York, 2001, pp. 184-206.
-Idem, Venice, Italy in R. Pickard (ed), Conservation of the European Built Heritage Series (Volume 2°): Management of Historic Centres, E&FN SPON, London & New York, 2001, pp. 162-186.
-N. Mitchell, M. Roessler, P.M. Tricaud, A Handbook for Conservation and Management. World Heritage Cultural Landscapes, 26, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Paris 2009.
-B. S. Frey – P. Pamini, Making world heritage truly global: The Culture certificate Scheme, Oxonomics 4 (2009), 1-9.
-B. S. Frey – L. Steiner, World Heritage List: does it make sense?, International Journal of Cultural Policy, 2011, 1-19, iFirst Article.
