Traditional Knowledge and Local Expertise in Landslide Risk Mitigation of World Heritages Sites

Abstract

Landslide mitigation in UNESCO and other heritage sites requires an approach that safeguards the site. This approach is put in place in order to avoid any modifications of the original status in terms of authenticity and integrity. To do so, any mitigation project has to provide effective solutions—very often innovative—to be combined with original architecture and environment. The harmonisation of advanced solutions with historical heritage then requires a mitigation project (sometimes pioneering), with a design that minimises the impact of new intervention. This possibly will aid in recovering traditional materials and/or solutions or the re-use of original construction techniques. In low income Countries, the usage of original construction techniques ensures maintenance by local workers, hence enhancing sustainability. The present research investigates 10 UNESCO and other heritage sites affected by landslides, in an attempt to understand whether traditional techniques and local expertise may play a role in mitigating the expected damage and, at the same time, maintaining the original authenticity and integrity of the site. The investigation demonstrates that the mitigation of landslide risk through traditional techniques can help in the preservation of the integrity and authenticity of the heritage site, enhancing local job opportunities and ensuring long term maintenance. A similar result can also be achieved when making recourse to modern low impact measures (e.g. Nature-Based Solutions). Evidently, it is not always possible to apply the cumulative body of knowledge, know-how, practices and representations maintained and developed by peoples with extended histories, to all typologies of mass movements. The best focus is found in the application to shallow landslide phenomena, with limited involved volumes.