Conservation Principles and Methods

A number of widely accepted principles and methods guide the field of heritage conservation internationally. Such concepts as values-based heritage place management are integral to the design and implementation of all of the GCI's field projects.

Since the mid-1990s, the GCI has also been engaged in research on the values and economics of cultural heritage, which has been disseminated through a series of publications and case studies, as well as through development and publication of the Principles for the Conservation of Heritage Sites in China (China Principles), intended as a model approach. These national guidelines for the conservation and management of Chinese cultural heritage both respect and reflect Chinese traditions and approaches to conservation.

The department has also been engaged in research designed to advance the ability of heritage professionals to develop constructive stakeholder relations and to adapt consensus building and conflict resolution methodologies to heritage place management.

The Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative aims to embed conservation principles and methodologies into practice for modern heritage through training, publications and model field projects.

Current projects include:

China Principles
Heritage Values, Stakeholders, and Consensus Building
Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative

Page updated: September 2015