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Heritage inventories: promoting effectiveness as a vital tool for sustainable heritage management

David Myers (Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA)

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development

ISSN: 2044-1266

Article publication date: 15 August 2016

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify key elements of what makes an inventory program effective for cultural heritage conservation and management. It is hoped that it will spur discussion among heritage professionals about increasing the effectiveness of inventory programs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reflects on more than a decade of experience with the establishment of heritage surveys and inventories at national and citywide scales in the Middle East and North America, and through site-based heritage management projects. In addition, it reflects on engagement with international professionals involved with heritage inventories.

Findings

Heritage inventories are permanent, ongoing records that require long-term institutional resource commitments. To be effective for heritage management, inventory programs should be established with links to heritage legislation, built upon data standards, and maintain dedicated personnel, programs of activity, and systems on an ongoing basis. Inventories are fundamentally different than heritage surveys, or other data collection activities, which collect information within a specific timeframe.

Practical implications

The findings are based on engagement with real-world, practical applications. It is hoped that the recommendations included will be useful to professionals working in heritage institutions that are establishing inventory programs, or seeking to modernize, invigorate, or increase the effectiveness of their inventory programs.

Originality/value

This paper presents insights gained through engagement with a large number and variety of heritage inventory and survey programs and projects from across the world, reflecting on broad trends and patterns.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

© Copyright 2016 The J. Paul Getty Trust. All rights reserved.

The author is grateful for feedback provided by the following colleagues during the preparation of this paper: Yiannis Avramides (World Monuments Fund); Phil Carlisle (Historic England); Alison Dalgity (Getty Conservation Institute); Susan Macdonald (Getty Conservation Institute); Peter McKeague (Historic Environment Scotland); Leen Meganck (Flanders Heritage Agency); and Koen van Daele (Flanders Heritage Agency).

Citation

Myers, D. (2016), "Heritage inventories: promoting effectiveness as a vital tool for sustainable heritage management", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 102-112. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-02-2016-0009

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Authors

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