ISS-(VI) REFLECTIONS ON SAFETY IN HERITAGE
Once the tour of the different contents dealt with in each day has been completed, we would like to highlight in this publication some of the initial reflections that motivated the holding of the International Scientific Symposium Security in Heritage, which were not only reaffirmed through the interventions of the different speakers, but also demonstrate once again the relevance and necessity of organizing a meeting of these characteristics. In the same way, we advance some of the conclusions emanated from the treated contents, which will be complemented in the following entry with the presentation of the Declaration of the Circle.
The numerous experts invited to the symposium have analyzed and discussed for three days the risks and threats related to security in heritage, relevant issues for the provision of appropriate and sensible solutions in practice, consistent with the problems experienced today. These issues were addressed by Ramón Mayo, president of KALAM, who reflected on the reasons that led him to promote a specific event on Heritage Security.
Tourism is currently reaching figures that were unimaginable only 40 years ago. It brings hundreds of millions of people to other countries, attracted by their climate, their history and the richness of their natural and cultural heritage. We all know the economic importance of this sector. For Spain it represents no less than 12% of the GDP, being the so-called “cultural tourism” more important every day in absolute numbers, because it revitalizes the territory, fixes and improves the quality of life of its inhabitants and because, consequently, it makes possible the sustainability of our Heritage.
However, mass tourism can have an undesirable impact on the natural environment and can wreak havoc in the field of security, an issue on which it is important to take measures. Similarly, it is worth considering that heritage assets were clearly not originally conceived for tourists of the 21st century, always with their cell phones and habits as dangerous as selfies can be.
However, mass tourism can have an undesirable impact on the natural environment and can wreak havoc in the field of security, an issue on which it is important to take measures. Similarly, it is worth considering that heritage assets were clearly not originally conceived for tourists of the 21st century, always with their cell phones and habits as dangerous as selfies can be.
Among other proposals, consideration should be given to limiting circuits in certain monuments, so that forced access to all corners of the property is not necessary, or security as a project theme in interventions carried out in historic buildings, integrating this issue in a coherent and respectful manner with the monument.
A minimum agreement, some recommendations for international organizations in the field of Cultural Heritage to transfer to those responsible and managers of historic buildings the desirability of reviewing the elements of the building that involve danger or, at least, take advantage of the auxiliary means used in the development of rehabilitation works to review or install elements as necessary as lightning rods or lifelines that allow technicians and operators to access in the future with greater security to that difficult or dangerous place. It is very surprising that in most of the public tenders to which we compete, works in which of course the placement of scaffolding for facades and roofs is prescribed along with the relevant rehabilitation works, it is not included by default something so economical and that, as its name indicates, can be vital, such as these safety elements.
Monuments today have a very different use from that for which they were designed and the pressure of tourism (sometimes truly invasive), without adequate regulatory adaptation in terms of accessibility, lighting, signage, etc., requires more attention and an update for safety. We could say that in these last 20 years a great effort has been made to enhance our Cultural Heritage, from the great monuments to the modest testimonies of our vernacular architecture, from the Industrial Heritage to the most emblematic archaeological sites. We have taken care to make them accessible, but now we must analyze the current casuistry to make them safer as well.
Just as in the field of Occupational Risk Prevention, as is usually the case in Spain, between 1 and 3% of the intervention budget is allocated to cover the technical needs in this area, it would be advisable to establish a consensus among the different organizations, public and private institutions, companies, professionals and other agents of world heritage management, to achieve a commitment to allocate 2% for the above, in an adjustable or gradual percentage depending on the entity of the intervention, or to invest that figure in the development of the preliminary studies that pave the way for the definitive action. Similar proposals could be aimed at improving the regulations.
For this reason, the meeting was also the framework for the presentation of a report on the state of security conditions in the Spanish cultural heritage specifically commissioned by the Symposium organization to the LoCUS research group of the School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Madrid on the occasion of the organization of the event. This report sheds light on the state of monuments and archaeological sites in a representative sample through the analysis of the Assets of Cultural Interest in the total of the 17 autonomous communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, presenting several conclusions of interest to highlight. For this reason, the meeting was also the framework for the presentation of a report on the state of security conditions in the Spanish cultural heritage specifically commissioned by the organization of the Symposium to the LoCUS research group of the School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Madrid on the occasion of the organization of the event. This report sheds light on the state of monuments and archaeological sites in a representative sample through the analysis of the Assets of Cultural Interest in the total of the 17 autonomous communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, presenting several conclusions of interest to highlight.
The study contemplated a stratified sample of 402 respondents on a base of more than 13,000 registered Assets of Cultural Interest (BICs), both initiated and declared. This information was elaborated through a questionnaire sent to the relevant institutions and to those responsible for the assets, to whom, in turn, the results of the analysis were communicated. It should be noted that, according to the report, of the total number of respondents contacted, almost 15% declined to answer the questionnaire.
This questionnaire is also intended as a working template that can serve as a basis for similar studies at the international level, both in the countries represented by the speakers and guests at the symposium, as well as in those countries that were unable to attend. In this way, the aim is to encourage an in-depth study of this subject that will allow the identification in the different countries of fundamental issues for the particular casuistry of cultural heritage in terms of security and risk prevention and to materialize the specific needs of their assets through data provided by similar studies. Consequently, as a shared working tool, we will send this template to all UN countries that have adopted heritage conventions around UNESCO and that have among their competencies in cultural heritage issues or needs related to the safety of both property and people.
Entre las cuestiones planteadas por la encuesta, destacan aspectos interesantes, como la autoevaluación del estado de conservación del bien por parte de sus responsables, el tipo de riesgo que implica su condición de preservación, o los problemas más frecuentes que motivan dichos riesgos.
Among the questions raised by the survey, interesting aspects stand out, such as the self-assessment of the state of conservation of the property by those responsible for it, the type of risk involved in its preservation condition, or the most frequent problems that cause such risks.
Although the study focuses on cultural assets in the Spanish territorial framework (as well as on the analysis of legislation and national plans and programs), part of its space is also devoted to the comparative analysis of recommendations and casuistry in the international sphere, in terms of action plans in countries such as France, Switzerland, Turkey, Canada or Latin America. Similarly, special attention is devoted to the record of press publications on cultural heritage security, analyzing the news items quantitatively according to the specific aspect of the issue on which they focus, with the highest percentage corresponding to those focused on restoration, vandalism or theft and robbery.
On the other hand, from the interview conducted with those responsible for the BICs, certain results stand out, such as the fact that only 22% of the properties open to the public for visits have security measures to guarantee full accessibility, or that 64% of the total sample have never been rehabilitated or restored, according to data extracted from this study.
Likewise, by virtue of the will that has guided the holding of the symposium, the “Declaration of the Círculo” has been drafted with the supervision of the Scientific Committee of the event and the contribution of suggestions from the speakers and communicators, as well as from the attendees who have deemed it appropriate. This document, which takes its name from the venue where the Symposium is held, the Círculo de Bellas Artes building in Madrid, aims to establish a series of criteria related to security in cultural heritage, to serve as a basis for the management and intervention in cultural assets, as well as for the necessary adaptation and development of regulations. Its final content, which was read at the closing ceremony of the symposium, is the result of a joint, lively and inclusive drafting, built through the consensus of various international expert voices that have given it a plural dimension. An integrating character of shared experiences and knowledge has guided all the activities carried out during this event.
In short, we have tried to address issues focused on those buildings and cultural assets erected in another time and their conservation in a safe way, according to the possible standards of each place, allowing a risk-free visit for tourists, who come to enjoy the architecture and landscapes of our cultural heritage, as well as for users, workers and pedestrians who inhabit our public and private spaces. The conservation of cultural property must ensure that no passerby runs any risk or danger due to the integrity or state of conservation of the monument. In this sense, the organization of the symposium is very satisfied with the extraordinary response to the event, both in terms of the participation of renowned international professionals and the good reception by the public, as well as the extraordinary quality of the content and the debates that took place.
Overall, what we have experienced during these days of the Symposium and even what we have known during its coordination through the registration of registrations and the motivations of the more than 350 participants, is a topic of great interest for the specialized public that attended, mostly professionals working in the field of heritage conservation in the public and private sector. Even starting with the study, which shows that there are still aspects to improve in guaranteeing security in a way that is compatible with the conservation of our valuable heritage, through the debates and presentations that took place during the course, we were able to see a large number of good practices and references that are already being carried out in our country and internationally. Cases such as the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, the Alhambra in Granada, different places in Morocco, Iran, Italy, Portugal, Chile, Peru, the United States, among others, were discussed, an international vision that allowed us to share experiences around the thematic lines and objectives proposed.
The reading and approval of the Declaration of the Circle was the finishing touch to this meeting that hopes to contribute to this shared will that seeks to continue improving and betting on increasing the security of this valuable legacy for the enjoyment of all in the present and future. With different casuistry, unequal development of regulations, social awareness of heritage, etc., this is none other than this: the sharing of knowledge, an important path to follow to improve overall security in our heritage. As was repeated on different occasions, prevention, training, awareness and common sense are some of the key issues to be addressed, and we hope that we can continue to address them on future occasions and that the echo of what happened these days will be reflected in the actions that are put into practice from now on.
Throughout the symposium, attendees felt that they were enjoying the knowledge shared with colleagues and other specialists, all of them activists in favor of cultural heritage, learning from each other, and thus turning the event into a celebrated seminar on Heritage Security and the values it implies for us, also, as citizens.
