University of Victoria

Best Practices in Heritage Conservation

• HA 489A (1.5 units)
• November 14-19, 2016

As the revitalization of historic places becomes more commonplace, an ever-increasing number of architects, landscape architects, engineers, and planners engage in heritage conservation practice. The discipline challenges professionals and property owners to ensure that they consistently produce good conservation work that will stand the test of time. This classroom course addresses those challenges with instruction and training in doctrinal principles, standards of practice, and contextual societal issues. It is intended is to help design professionals and their clients achieve best practices, by providing an objective basis with which to make wise decisions about conservation strategies and interventions. Class lectures are supplemented by student assignments, local fieldwork, and directed readings.

Topics include:

•   An introduction to best practices: ‘good’ and ‘bad’ conservation
•   International and Canadian heritage conservation doctrine
•   Conservation treatments
•   Standards and guidelines
•   Community, sustainability, and ethical contexts
•   A critical assessment of case studies

The course is designed to meet the needs of heritage professionals, students, public officials, and decision-makers who are involved in the management of historic places, whether in the public or the private sector. The material is appropriate for students at any level, from novice to advanced professional. This is not a general introduction to heritage conservation.