PARTIE 2 - Icomos

Theme 2
Session 3
REPORT
ADAPTING TO SUSTAINABLE LIVING,
EXPERTISE IN RE-USE, EXPERTISE IN BUILDING
Senior rapporteur
Isabel Kanan
National Institue for Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN), Florianopolis (ICOMOS Brazil)
Junior rapporteur
Bianca Elena Benavides Barrera
Heritage Architect, Ecole de Chaillot, Paris (France)
Daiho Mo
Bauhaus University, weimar (Germany)/ Tongji Univeristy, Shanghai (Chine)
The main necessities identified in this session, vice-chaired by John HURD, were:
- recovering the traditional methods of construction, through historic and scientific research;
- being innovative, in order to create new and/or hybrid sustainable methods;
- developing partnerships;
- engaging communities in the process of heritage protection;
- fostering political initiative;
- disseminating experiences and educating the inhabitants.
The first presentation by Joe LOBKO, entitled Toronto Brownfield Redux: “Artscape Wychwood Barns” and
“Evergreen Brick Works”, presented the transformation of two derelict industrial buildings in Toronto into
a true community hub, through diverse but complementary development programs. The results obtained
with this kind of projects show the value of heritage as a proper architectural and cultural infrastructure. The
development of partnerships seems to be essential in order to foster projects with a view to revitalisation and
sustainability: public/private partnerships, local community partnerships. In fact, the inclusion of non-for-profit
local organisations in the evolution of projects is always necessary: engaging and involving people could be
an efficient strategy. For this reason, the implementation of such projects could take longer than a common
process would (importance of discussion, numerous actors involved…). On the other hand, results are enjoyed
by all, as it has reduced considerably the consumption of electricity and water, and it contributes to create
new dynamics in the city.
The next two presentations of the session, which focus on Africa, pointed out the difficulties to find uses
and solutions for historic and abandoned structures, to find out relevant partnerships, to create jobs for the
community, to develop successful projects. Fabien KIGADYE presented the case of the restoration of the “Old
Boma” building in Tanzania, through the establishment of a public-private partnership with the non-governmental
organisation Trade Aid, and the adaptive reuse of the building into a hotel. The study of this case
unveils challenges for the conservation of heritage in all historic towns of Tanzania, i.e the economic capacity
of the building owners in regards to restoration, and the lack of general planning.
Gautier BICHERON presented his experience on the restoration of the mosques of Timbuktu and Djenne in
Mali, showing the feasibility of the project and the associated positive results for both the heritage and the
communities involved. Despite the societal function of the local art of building, the introduction of cement
has considerably changed the building environment in Mali during the last decades. The restoration process
is a way to re-learn best practices and most sustainable methods that can still be used today. The restoration
projects of the mosques of Timbuktu and Djenne are based on an extensive historical research that permitted
to safeguard not only the monuments, but also the local building techniques and the intangible heritage they
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LE PATRIMOINE, MOTEUR DE DÉVELOPPEMENT
HERITAGE, DRIVER OF DEVELOPMENT