ABSTRACT
The urgency of safeguarding cultural heritage from disaster risks has become increasingly apparent due to the rapid pace of unsustainable development and the heightened threat of environmental factors, particularly climate change. This volume highlights several critical questions regarding cultural heritage and disaster risks, such as how to assess and manage disaster risks, which cultural heritage values are most vulnerable and at risk, and how to protect endangered cultural heritage and recover from disaster damage.
The volume contends that protecting cultural heritage from disaster risks involves not just technical considerations but also an epistemological understanding of the issue. To this end, it is essential to consider societal vulnerabilities, the evolving concept of cultural heritage and its values, and the role of local communities in identifying and preserving cultural heritage.
In conclusion, the volume emphasises the need for comprehensive disaster risk management strategies that account for all possible impacts on cultural heritage. Such strategies should be integrated into global disaster risk reduction frameworks and recognise the vital role that cultural heritage plays in defining our shared human experience.
