Risk identification, impact, and mitigation for maintenance and rehabilitation of Heritage Places (HeritagePlaces@Risk)

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Given that a significant number of heritage sites in Canada and around the world are under constant (ongoing) pressure from a variety of risks (Natural disasters, development, tourism, pollution, inappropriate site management, negligent engineering works, looting and conflict) the long-term objective of this program is to develop a 5 dimensional (X, Y, Z, time and event) resource management information system that will enable the systematic identification of risk at world heritage sites, assessing their impact and the vulnerability of the heritage fabric using state-of-the-arts digital tools. This approach will take into consideration that these threats are dependent on the nature, specific characteristics, inherent resistance and geographical environment of the site where they are located. This would then enable researchers, site managers and concerned authorities to plan more in-depth engineering assessments and cost-benefit analysis, therefore mitigating risks more efficiently. The short-term objectives (next five years) of this research program involves the consolidation of a methodology for "risk assessment" at World Heritage Sites to develop the 5D (X,Y,Z, time and event) management of risk (UNESCO), the research will be conducted in Canada, building on the previous worked carried out in the past four years and the ongoing collaboration framework with institutions working in these areas. The work in these locations will involve three-dimensional recording tools (3D scanning and photogrammetry), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Building Information Management (BIM) applications for mapping World Heritage Sites. As well as, the study and characterization of threats that can be either natural or anthropogenic: that is, human-made. As suggested in the ongoing projects, natural risks can be divided into two categories: catastrophic and sudden occurrences, such as a flood or an earthquake, which have an immediate impact on heritage sites, and continuous threats with cumulative and slow effects, such as erosion and material decay. Anthropogenic risks result from a number of different human activities, including development in general and tourism in particular, and inappropriate management, lack of maintenance and neglect.