Tackling floods: a global threat to cultural heritage

Mitigating Flood Risk for Cultural Heritage Course leaps forward to safeguard diverse forms of heritage from flood risks.

From September 22 to 30, 2023, ICCROM's First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAR) programme organized a blended course on flood risk mitigation in Trogir, Croatia. Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, with the generous support of the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, this course brought together 14 participants from six countries: Canada, Croatia, Malta, India, Poland and Romania all facing imminent flood risks exacerbated by various factors, including climate change and urbanization.

Flooding has become one of the most severe and frequent threats to cultural heritage worldwide. The course PREVENT: Mitigating Flood Risk for Heritage, the second in our PREVENT series following the success of our 2022 fire risk mitigation course, has been designed to address this growing challenge. This year's focus on flooding highlights the urgent need for immediate, collective action to protect all forms of heritage. 

Through the PREVENT series, we aim to foster collaboration among diverse professionals, providing them with specialized training and resources to address the unique challenges of flood risk management in their regions. The training emphasizes understanding the contributing factors of flood risks and implementing cost-effective mitigation and emergency preparedness strategies at heritage sites.

A collaborative learning experience

Before the in-person component, participants engaged in an online orientation covering vital concepts, including the intersection of disasters and climate change, risk assessment components, and global case studies highlighting climate change's impact on cultural heritage.

During the week-long course, participants participated in both theoretical discussions and hands-on simulations. They focused on assessing flood risks at heritage sites, analyzing vulnerabilities, and developing risk scenarios. The course also emphasized the importance of traditional knowledge, community-led strategies, and emergency responses to heritage site flooding. By the course's end, each team had developed a detailed action plan to mitigate flood risks specific to their heritage sites or institutions.

Key Highlights from the Course

The course officially opened with remarks from ICCROM's Director-General, Ms. Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, alongside Mr. Tomislav Petrinec, Director of the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Culture and Media in Croatia, and Trogir's mayor, Ante Bilić. They highlighted the urgent need for proactive risk management in safeguarding heritage against extreme weather events.

The course featured a mayors' roundtable on Trogir's current flood risks, management plans, and the gaps in protecting its heritage. This discussion revealed the challenges historic cities' challenges and the need for more robust heritage protection measures. 

Key gaps identified

1. Despite cultural heritage being recognized in various national strategic documents, there remains a significant gap in effective implementation at the ground level, particularly in fostering cross-sectoral and inter-institutional cooperation.
2. Economic losses from floods surpass resilience investments.
3. Limited cooperation between the cultural heritage sector and climate science communities and insufficient collaboration across different levels of authority and sectors.
4. The low level of awareness about flood risks and resilience strategies among decision-makers hinders effective action.
5. Insufficient data to accurately assess and price flood risks.
6. Underestimation of flood risks and losses leads to a perception that mitigation efforts are unnecessary.

Guidelines to solutions

To address these key issues, the following solutions were proposed:

• Embrace innovation: Incorporate both new and traditional technologies 
• Change institutional behaviour: Foster a culture of collaboration and communication among institutions.
• Create sustainable business models: revise city and rural planning processes to prioritize resilience.
• Ensure efficient resource management: Optimize resource allocation to maximize impact.
• Promote research and innovation: Invest in climate resilience research and cultural heritage preservation.
• Leverage traditional knowledge: Integrate local knowledge and practices into modern resilience strategies.
• Educate and raise awareness: Implement education programmes, especially targeting young people, to foster a culture of preparedness and awareness.
• Mainstream cultural heritage: Integrate cultural heritage and climate science into strategic planning at all levels.
• Provide disaster risk training: offer training programmes for local authorities and communities to enhance preparedness.
• Establish strong regulations: Develop a robust regulatory framework that supports flood risk mitigation efforts.
• Create local policies: formulate localized policies that address specific needs and vulnerabilities.
• Appoint a National Coordinator: designate a national coordinator to oversee and streamline flood risk management efforts.

Story circle with a Fisherman from Ugljan Island: Integrating Traditional Knowledge in Flood Risk Management

As part of the course's commitment to community-based approaches, a story circle was held with fisherman Bozidar Blaslov from Ugljan Island, Croatia. This session aimed to bring the voices of frontline fishing communities into the conversation on flood risk management. Fishermen, like him, have long held valuable knowledge about weather patterns and storm forecasting, which they use to plan their fishing activities and mitigate risks. 

He shared traditional methods his community uses to prepare for storms, and prepare for weather changes. These practices, passed down through generations, highlight the value of local knowledge in flood risk management. Participants were inspired to explore similar community-driven approaches in their own heritage projects.

Vulnerability and capacity assessment in Trogir: engaging locals in flood risk management

Participants engaged in a participatory Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA), using ICCROM-FAR's inSIGHT tool, engaging over 35 local community members, including shopkeepers, children, and local officials. The activity emphasized the importance of integrating cultural heritage into flood risk planning, ensuring that local voices guide decision-making and enhance community resilience against flooding.

 

Final Scenario-Based Simulation Exercise

A flood simulation at Trogir's Benedicte Monastery, using 3D visualizations and walkthroughs, enabled participants to engage in a visual learning experience and apply their acquired knowledge to real-life flood response situations. This exercise highlighted the importance of effective stakeholder communication and collaboration during emergencies. Insights from Trogir's mayor and local firefighters reinforced the critical role of teamwork and communication in protecting cultural heritage during times of crisis.

Moving Forward

As we confront the realities of climate change, the lessons learned from this course will resonate across borders, ensuring that heritage remains protected for generations to come. Moving forward, participants will review their action plans and implement flood risk mitigation measures at their respective sites over the next six months. They will be encouraged to share their experiences and findings with their local communities and networks, amplifying the impact of their training. By continuing to engage stakeholders and promote awareness about flood risks, we can collectively build a more resilient approach to heritage conservation.