Philippines can learn from global charters on conservation
Published on page C2 of the July 24, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
THE
PHILIPPINES CAN LEARN from the efforts of other cities and countries in
the world to save their heritage by coming up with relevant and
effective conservation charters.
The Washington Charter on the Conservation of Historic Towns and
Urban Areas (1987) concerns historic urban areas of any size located in
cities, towns or historic centers that illustrate traditional culture
through its surviving architecture. The scope includes the sites
surrounding natural and manmade environments also under severe threat.
The charter defines the principles, objectives and methods for
conserving historic towns and urban areas. It promotes harmony of
private and community life and encourages preservation of cultural
properties, however modest in scale, that constitute the memory of
mankind. It presents steps for conserving such towns and areas,
suggesting that development harmoniously adapt the old with
contemporary life.
The Washington Charter suggests that conservation should form part
of economic and social development policies to ensure that the historic
character of the town is preserved.
Methods to ensure preservation include retaining the street pattern
and maintaining the original relationship between buildings and open
spaces.
Existing heritage buildings should be preserved. Keeping the same
proportions, construction type and materials, colors and decoration is
essential.
Most important, the charter calls for the participation of the local
community to ensure the success of the conservation program, since the
conservation of historic towns and urban areas primarily concerns its
residents.
The charter lists the steps to be taken in preparing and
implementing a conservation plan, a multidisciplinary effort since
conservation plans address all relevant factors including archaeology,
history, architecture, construction techniques, sociology, economics,
legal and administrative.
Particularly significant to the Philippine penchant for
pseudo-heritage architecture and for blending new with old in historic
districts situation is the statement “Introduction of contemporary
elements in harmony with the surroundings should not be discouraged
since such features can contribute to the enrichment of an
area”—provided that old and new respect each other and are good
architectural neighbors.
Archeological charter
The Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological
Heritage of 1990 defines archeological heritage as the basic record of
past human activities.
Some archeological heritage are components of architectural
structures and, therefore, must be protected in accordance with the
criteria in the 1966 Venice Charter.
Other elements of archeological heritage are part of the living
traditions of indigenous peoples. Participation of local cultural
groups is essential for their protection and preservation.
The charter lays down principles regarding different aspects of
archeological-heritage management including responsibilities of public
authorities and legislators, principles relating to the professional
performance of the processes of inventorization, survey, excavation,
documentation, research, maintenance, conservation, preservation,
reconstruction, information, presentation, public access and use of the
heritage, and the qualification of professionals involved in the
protection of the archeological heritage.
Next week, the series on the International Council of Monuments and
Sites (Icomos) continues. Icomos information is at www.icomos.org.
Icomos charters, resolutions, and declarations are at
www.international.icomos.org/centre_documentation/chartes_eng.htm.
Contact Icomos Philippines at http://icomosphilippines.blogspot.com
