ABSTRACT
This chapter is the result of the author's reflection on some direct experiences of the role of cultural heritage institutions in post-disaster response processes, on the recurrent emerging issues with managing post-disaster responses at World Heritage properties through the reactive monitoring process, and the challenges reported by participants in capacity building workshops on management and disaster risk management. Therefore, it has not been the ambition to present the outcomes of scholarly or applied research or good practice but only to share some reflections on the topic. This contribution acknowledges the significant conceptual and operational advances over the past four decades in disaster risk management in general and for cultural heritage. However, it also recognises that these achievements have not yet led to a widespread culture of disaster risk reduction. Above all, there is still a long way to go for this culture to take root and bear fruit.
The essay also explores some of the reasons why advancements in understanding the genesis of the disasters afflicting our built environment, in developing methods and tools for mitigation and warning, and approaches for effective response to (and recovery from) the impacts of disasters on cultural heritage have not led yet to widespread good practices or sound risk preparedness habits. Finally, the essay proposes to privilege some strands of applied research and some strategies over others to support the widespread dissemination of mitigation and preparedness practices and the development of a broad ‘prevention habit’.
