Protecting Architectural Heritage Against Disasters: The Need to Shift from Post-Incident Response to Preventive Management
Seyyed Maryam Nawabi, head of the Saveh Jame Mosque national base, wrote in a note: October 21, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, is an opportunity to rethink the way historical monuments face natural and human hazards; Risks that, in the absence of sufficient planning, recognition and preparation, can cause serious and sometimes irreparable damage to a part of the historical and cultural memory of a society in a short period of time. In the field of cultural heritage, reducing the risk of disasters should not be limited to the response after the accident and emergency operations, but should start from the stage of knowing the building, identifying the risks and assessing its vulnerability, and follow it in the form of a coherent and continuous protection and management plan.
A historical monument, unlike a contemporary structure, is not merely a collection of physical elements. Historical, architectural and artistic values, construction materials and techniques, historical layers and the connection between the building and social life form a set of interconnected values that must be taken into consideration at the time of crisis. From this point of view, any action to reduce harm must also be in harmony with the principles of protection, authenticity, integrity and minimal intervention. In such an approach, systematic risk recognition, vulnerability reduction, preparedness, response and recovery are not separate components; Rather, they are the links of a continuous process for the preservation of architectural heritage.
In historical buildings, danger does not necessarily begin with an earthquake, flood or fire. Gradual wear and tear of materials, inappropriate water penetration and direction, weakness or change in the performance of structural elements, biological factors, improper maintenance, non-specialist interventions and even the lack of a regular monitoring system can gradually increase the vulnerability of the building. Therefore, preventive protection should be considered as the first line of defense against crisis.
Meanwhile, the risk management plan should be developed according to the characteristics, values and vulnerabilities of each building. Detailed documentation, preparation of architectural and pathological maps, identification of sensitive elements and parts, continuous monitoring of cracks and deformations, control of the condition of roofs and roofs, checking of structural conditions, predicting access routes in emergency situations, determining protection priorities and determining the response method in different scenarios are among the actions that should be taken into account before an accident occurs. The training of base forces, the precise determination of responsibilities, and the holding of periodic exercises and maneuvers can also minimize the gap between the occurrence of an incident and the beginning of an effective response.
On the 21st of October, the International Disaster Risk Reduction Day, it is especially important to pay attention to this approach in protecting the historical monuments of the country; Because the sustainable protection of architectural heritage is realized when the risk is identified before it becomes a crisis and planned to reduce its consequences. In this way, every preventive action, every regular monitoring and every detailed documentation can increase part of the building's capacity to be resilient against future incidents.
The historic mosque of Saveh is a valuable example for paying more serious attention to this approach. This building, with its many historical and architectural layers and valuable elements and decorations, needs a protection program in which restoration, maintenance, monitoring and risk management are not separated from each other. In such a building, effective protection is not limited to carrying out restoration operations after seeing the damage; Rather, continuous monitoring and identification of the early signs of damage provide the possibility of timely decision making and intervention and prevention of the spread of damage.
In Saveh Jame Mosque, prevention can start from seemingly simple but very effective measures; From controlling and directing surface water caused by rainfall and continuous care of the roof and coverings to monitoring structural elements, dealing with local damages before they spread, controlling biological factors and continuously recording the condition of the building. Such actions, if followed in the form of a coherent, prioritized and continuous program, can prevent the transformation of gradual damages into serious crises. Meanwhile, up-to-date documentation of the condition of the building is also very important; Because it will be difficult to make the right decision in emergency situations without access to accurate information about the pre-accident situation.
On the other hand, risk management is not the sole responsibility of the restoration group. Effective protection of a historical monument requires cooperation between preservation and restoration specialists, structural engineers, crisis management, fire department, city management, service agencies and local community. In crisis situations, the speed and quality of decision-making is particularly important, and this will not be possible without determining responsibilities, establishing a communication mechanism, and developing clear guidelines for emergency situations.
Even the access to the basic equipment, the identification of exit and rescue routes, and the determination of a safe place for the temporary transfer of valuable elements and objects, must be investigated and planned before the accident.
The important point is that the risk management plan should not be a fixed and purely administrative document. This program should be revised periodically based on the continuous monitoring of the building, changing environmental conditions, the results of new studies and the experience gained from conservation measures. In fact, risk management is a continuous process that begins with recognition and assessment, continues with preventive measures and vulnerability reduction, and is completed in the event of an incident with a rapid and planned response, followed by recovery and documentation of experiences. The experience of each incident should also lead to the modification of plans and increased preparation to face the next incidents.
Finally, the purpose of risk management in cultural heritage is not simply to save a building after an accident; The goal is to reduce the probability of causing damage, limit the consequences of risks and increase the capacity of the building and its management complex to face the crisis. The more accurate our understanding of the building, the more regular monitoring and the more serious preventive planning, the greater the possibility of protecting its historical and architectural values.
From this point of view, World Disaster Risk Reduction Day can be seen as an opportunity for a practical action in the field of cultural heritage: each base and historical complex can take a specific step to increase resilience by identifying its specific risks, preparing and updating the vulnerability file, prioritizing preventive measures, developing emergency response guidelines and training relevant forces. These measures will be effective when they go beyond the program and document level and become part of the daily cycle of protection, monitoring and maintenance.
World Disaster Risk Reduction Day can be a reminder of this basic principle for the cultural heritage community that in the protection of historical monuments, the best time to deal with a crisis is when the crisis has not happened yet; Because many of the damages that seem irreparable after an accident can be prevented or reduced from the beginning with timely recognition of the risk, continuous monitoring, preparation and proper management.