Experts meet in Aleppo to discuss traditional building materials and techniques
On 10 and 11 August 2017, UNESCO organized a meeting on traditional building materials and techniques in Aleppo with the aim to estimate, based on available damage assessments and analyses, the needs of the World Heritage site of the Ancient City of Aleppo in terms of traditional building materials and techniques and to take stock of the remaining craftsmen. The meeting, which took place in the framework of the “Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian cultural Heritage” project, also aimed at setting the bases for a vocational school on traditional building crafts and skills in Aleppo that UNESCO could fund in the near future. The initiative gathered 30 relevant stakeholders from governmental institutions, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, local and international experts, as well as 14 traditional craftsmen from the local community.
The opening session was attended by
decision-makers as well as technical officials such as the Governor of
Aleppo, its Mayor, the Director General of the Directorate General of
Antiquities and Museum (DGAM), etc. The session featured presentations
by experts from different institutions including the DGAM, the Heritage
Committee from a Syndicate of Engineers, the Old City Directorate of the
Aleppo City Council, the University of Aleppo, Al-Adiyyat
Archaeological Society, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and UNESCO. As a
side event, traditional building materials and tools provided by the
present craftsmen were exhibited throughout the meeting. \
The participants formed three working groups to
discuss the priorities and future needs concerning traditional building
materials, traditional building techniques, and traditional building
craftsmanship, which was followed by a presentation and a discussion of
each group’s findings. They ended with the adoption of the following
recommendations:
• There is a need to undertake a detailed study to
estimate availability of materials and craftsmen, costs, existing
similar initiatives, etc.;
• The local authorities have a crucial role to play in terms of facilitating logistical, legal and administrative issues;
• The concerned local communities will be involved in the decision-making process and implementation of any related activity;
• The updating of database of materials, crafts, skills, craftsmen;
• The involvement of youth, students and woman is fundamentals;
• Training curricula should include theory, work in the workshops of master craftsmen and work on site;
• The importance of studying and adopting adequate
remuneration (fees, microcredits) modalities to encourage participation
and sustainability;
• Selection processes for trainees and trainers will be scientifically studied and defined;
• There is a need to establish a centre/school for traditional building craftsmanship;
• The importance of the involvement of different stakeholders;
• The continuation of UNESCO’s scientific, technical and financial support.
The “Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural
Heritage” project, a pioneering initiative funded by the European Union
with the support of the Flemish Government and Austria in partnership
with ICCROM and ICOMOS. The project focuses on building technical
capacities of Syrian experts and institutions and strengthening local,
regional and international coordination to develop efficient responses.
