Managing Building Conservation Conflicts
By Dr Mohd Sabere Sulaiman SME Conservation Registered Conservator Senior Superintendent Architect
COVER FEATURE
Row of heritage houses in Georgetown , Penang , some of which have been renovated .
The issue of conflicts in the conservation
of buildings is usually related to human activities and has become an increasingly important global problem . Although such conflicts can positively influence change ( Wittmer et al ., 2006 ; Young et al ., 2010 ), they are often destructive and costly as they not only undermine effective conservation , but also prevent economic development , social equality , and resource sustainability . Hence , conflicts are arguably one of the most intractable problems concerning conservation .
Besides , building conservation conflicts are also dynamic , requiring long-term monitoring and adaptation as and when appropriate . Sometimes , long-term adaptive approaches might be costly but essential to ensure continued collaboration between stakeholders . Conflicts not only are derived from and embedded in a wider environmental , political , social and legislative context but are also dealt with as an issue in the management of building conservation . The management of building conservation conflict needs to be understood well , wisely and holistically before the decision for compensation is made so
that environmentally and friendly protection of heritage buildings is achieved .
DEFINING BUILDING CONSERVATION CONFLICTS
Conflicts are generally defined as ‘ a state of opposition or hostilities ’ or ‘ a clashing of opposed principles ’ ( Oxford Concise Dictionary ). The term therefore implies action rather than simply a passive reflection on differences and disagreements . While building conservation conflicts appear when the direction is not clear enough to guide stakeholders , including at the planning stage ( before ), the construction stage ( during ) and even the completion stage ( after ), it will lead again to the basic principles in building conservation where all the approaches should be reversible , adaptable to and compatible with the original fabrics , forms and functions of the buildings . Some conflicts usually occur when parties clash over differences about conservation objectives and when one party asserts , or at least is perceived to assert , its interests at the expense of another ( Redpath et al ., 2013 ).
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