Public Perception and Conservation: The Case of Alexandria’s Built Heritage

Abstract

The appreciation of cultural heritage is the outcome of a dynamic process, consisting of the interplay of varying factors including socioeconomic statuses, business interests, and cultural contexts. This results in conflicting perceptions of heritage. As such, heritage conservation needs to take into account variant understandings of heritage as their reconciliation is vital for its sustainable management. The built heritage of Alexandria, Egypt, has been facing a wave of degradation and destruction, which has significantly intensified following the 2011 revolution, with over 30 listed buildings being demolished in the past 3 years (as of 2014). Among the major contributions to this wave are the conflicting perceptions of the value of built heritage. Professionals in the field commonly believe that the public in Egypt do not value modern heritage, which is a main component of Alexandria’s built heritage. Contrary to this belief, when protests were organized by a pressure group concerned with saving Alexandria’s built heritage (Save Alex), the participation exceeded expectations, constituting a remarkable “heritage in action.” Accordingly, in an attempt to find the underlying causes of these different public perceptions of Alexandria’s built heritage, a field survey was carried out that sampled three buildings of different listing category (national, city, and local levels). Interviews, mainly targeting passersby, and personal observations were analyzed using narrative and critical analysis, respectively. This study serves as a starting point towards the formulation of a sustainable management plan for Alexandria’s fast-degrading built heritage. It emphasizes the perceived community value this material repertoire must have in order for it to be saved and sustained.