BURRA_CHARTER

Burra Charter The The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance 1 9 9 9 International Council on Monuments and Sites The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance 1999 with associated Guidelines and Code on the Ethics of Co-existence Australia ICOMOS Inc International Council of Monuments and Sites B u r r a Charter The © Australia ICOMOS Incorporated 2000 Permission is granted to reproduce part or all of this publication for non-commercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged. Cover photograph by Ian Stapleton. Published by Australia ICOMOS Incorporated Australia ICOMOS Secretariat c/o Faculty of Arts Deakin University Burwood VIC 3125 Australia www.icomos.org/australia Australia ICOMOS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Heritage Commission and the Department of Communications and the Arts (now Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts) with the preparation and publication of this document. National Library of Australia cataloguing- in-publication data: The Burra Charter: the Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance. ISBN 0 9578528 0 0 1. Cultural property - Protection - Australia. 2. Historic sites - Australia - Conservation and restoration. 3. Historic buildings - Australia - Conservation and restoration. 4. Monuments - Australia - Conservation and restoration. 363 690994 The Burra Charter, 1999 1 Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Cultural Significance, 1988 11 Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Conservation Policy, 1988 14 Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Procedures for Undertaking Studies and Reports, 1988 18 Code on the Ethics of Co-existence in Conserving Significant Places, 1998 20 Notes on the 1999 revisions to the Burra Charter 22 Conversion table: Burra Charter, 1999 and previous version 23 contents ICOMOS ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) is a non-governmental professional organisation formed in 1965, with headquarters in Paris. ICOMOS is primarily concerned with the philosophy, terminology, methodology and techniques of cultural heritage conservation. It is closely linked to UNESCO, particularly in its role under the World Heritage Convention 1972 as UNESCO’s principal adviser on cultural matters related to World Heritage. The 5,000 members of ICOMOS include architects, town planners, demographers, archaeologists, geographers, historians, conservators, anthropologists and heritage administrators. Members in the 84 countries belonging to ICOMOS are formed into National Committees and participate in a range of conservation projects, research work, intercultural exchanges and cooperative activities. ICOMOS also has a number of International Scientific Committees that focus on particular aspects of the conservation field. The members meet triennially in a General Assembly. Australia ICOMOS Inc. The Australian National Committee of ICOMOS (Australia ICOMOS Inc.) was formed in 1976. It elects an Executive Committee of 15 members, which is responsible for carrying out national programs and participating in decisions of ICOMOS as an international organisation. It provides expert advice as required by ICOMOS, especially in its relationship with the World heritage Committee. Australia ICOMOS acts as a national and international link between public authorities, institutions and individuals involved in the study and conservation of all places of cultural significance. Australia ICOMOS members participate in a range of conservation activities including site visits, training, conferences and meetings. Revision of the Burra Charter The Burra Charter was first adopted in 1979 at the historic South Australian mining town of Burra; minor revisions were made in 1981 and 1988. Following a five year review, more substantial changes were made resulting in this version which was adopted by Australia ICOMOS in November 1999. All Australia ICOMOS documents are regularly reviewed and Australia ICOMOS welcomes any comments. This booklet also contains the three Guidelines to the Burra Charter and the Code on the Ethics of Co- existence. These have yet to be revised to accord with the 1999 Charter, but are included here for completeness. Australia ICOMOS plans to update them with the aim of completing a consistent suite of documents when the Charter itself is next reviewed. To assist those familiar with previous versions of the Charter, this booklet also contains some notes explaining the key changes made and a conversion table relating articles in the 1999 Charter to those of the previous version. Important Note The 1988 version of the Burra Charter has now been superseded and joins the 1981 and 1979 versions as archival documents recording the development of conservation philosophy in Australia. Citing the Burra Charter The full reference is The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance 1999. Initial textual references should be in the form of the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter, 1999 and later references in the short form (Burra Charter). Preamble Considering the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (Venice 1964), and the Resolutions of the 5th General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) (Moscow 1978), the Burra Charter was adopted by Australia ICOMOS (the Australian National Committee of ICOMOS) on 19 August 1979 at Burra, South Australia. Revisions were adopted on 23 February 1981, 23 April 1988 and 26 November 1999. The Burra Charter provides guidance for the conservation and management of places of cultural significance (cultural heritage places), and is based on the knowledge and experience of Australia ICOMOS members. Conservation is an integral part of the management of places of cultural significance and is an ongoing responsibility. Who is the Charter for? The Charter sets a standard of practice for those who provide advice, make decisions about, or undertake works to places of cultural significance, including owners, managers and custodians. Using the Charter The Charter should be read as a whole. Many articles are interdependent. Articles in the Conservation Principles section are often further developed in the Conservation Processes and Conservation Practice sections. Headings have been included for ease of reading but do not form part of the Charter. The Charter is self-contained, but aspects of its use and application are further explained in the following Australia ICOMOS documents: • Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Cultural Significance; • Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Conservation Policy; • Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Procedures for Undertaking Studies and Reports; • Code on the Ethics of Coexistence in Conserving Significant Places. What places does the Charter apply to? The Charter can be applied to all types of places of cultural significance including natural, indigenous and historic places with cultural values. The standards of other organisations may also be relevant. These include the Australian Natural Heritage Charter and the Draft Guidelines for the Protection, Management and Use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Places. Why conserve? Places of cultural significance enrich people’s lives, often providing a deep and inspirational sense of connection to community and landscape, to the past and to lived experiences. They are historical records, that are important as tangible expressions of Australian identity and experience. Places of cultural significance reflect the diversity of our communities, telling us about who we are and the past that has formed us and the Australian landscape. They are irreplaceable and precious. These places of cultural significance must be conserved for present and future generations. The Burra Charter advocates a cautious approach to change: do as much as necessary to care for the place and to make it useable, but otherwise change it as little as possible so that its cultural significance is retained. 1The Burra Charter, 1999 Austral ia ICOMOS I n c The Burra Charter (The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance) Articles Article 1. Definitions For the purposes of this Charter: 1.1 Place means site, area, land, landscape, building or other work, group of buildings or other works, and may include components, contents, spaces and views. 2 Austral ia ICOMOS I n c The Burra Charter, 1999 Explanatory Notes The concept of place should be broadly interpreted. The elements described in Article 1.1 may include memorials, trees, gardens, parks, places of historical events, urban areas, towns, industrial places, archaeological sites and spiritual and religious places. 1.2 Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations. Cultural significance is embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects. Places may have a range of values for different individuals or groups. The term cultural significance is synonymous with heritage significance and cultural heritage value. Cultural significance may change as a result of the continuing history of the place. Understanding of cultural significance may change as a result of new information. 1.3 Fabric means all the physical material of the place including components, fixtures, contents, and objects. Fabric includes building interiors and sub- surface remains, as well as excavated material. Fabric may define spaces and these may be important elements of the significance of the place. 1.4 Conservation means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance. 1.5 Maintenance means the continuous protective care of the fabric and setting of a place, and is to be distinguished from repair. Repair involves restoration or reconstruction. The distinctions referred to, for example in relation to roof gutters, are: • maintenance — regular inspection and cleaning of gutters; • repair involving restoration — returning of dislodged gutters; • repair involving reconstruction — replacing decayed gutters. 1.6 Preservation means maintaining the fabric of a place in its existing state and retarding deterioration. New material may include recycled material salvaged from other places. This should not be to the detriment of any place of cultural significance. 1 . 9 Adaptation means modifying a place to suit the existing use or a proposed use. 1.10 Use means the functions of a place, as well as the activities and practices that may occur at the place. 1.11 Compatible use means a use which respects the cultural significance of a place. Such a use involves no, or minimal, impact on cultural significance. 1.12 Setting means the area around a place, which may include the visual catchment. 1.13 Related place means a place that contributes to the cultural significance of another place. It is recognised that all places and their components change over time at varying rates. 1.7 Restoration means returning the existing fabric of a place to a known earlier state by removing accretions or by reassembling existing components without the introduction of new material. 1.8 Reconstruction means returning a place to a known earlier state and is distinguished from restoration by the introduction of new material into the fabric. 1.14 Related object means an object that contributes to the cultural significance of a place but is not at the place. 1.15 Associations mean the special connections that exist between people and a place. 3The Burra Charter, 1999 Austral ia ICOMOS I n c Articles Explanatory Notes Associations may include social or spiritual values and cultural responsibilities for a place. 1.16 Meanings denote what a place signifies, indicates, evokes or expresses. Meanings generally relate to intangible aspects such as symbolic qualities and memories. 1.17 Interpretation means all the ways of presenting the cultural significance of a place. Interpretation may be a combination of the treatment of the fabric (e.g. maintenance, restoration, reconstruction); the use of and activities at the place; and the use of introduced explanatory material. Conservation Principles Article 2. Conservation and management 2.1 Places of cultural significance should be conserved. 2.2 The aim of conservation is to retain the cultural significance of a place. 2.3 Conservation is an integral part of good management of places of cultural significance. 2.4 Places of cultural significance should be safeguarded and not put at risk or left in a vulnerable state. Article 3. Cautious approach 3.1 Conservation is based on a respect for the existing fabric, use, associations and meanings. It requires a cautious approach of changing as much as necessary but as little as possible. The traces of additions, alterations and earlier treatments to the fabric of a place are evidence of its history and uses which may be part of its significance. Conservation action should assist and not impede their understanding. 3.2 Changes to a place should not distort the physical or other evidence it provides, nor be based on conjecture. Article 4. Knowledge, skills and techniques 4.1 Conservation should make use of all the knowledge, skills and disciplines which can contribute to the study and care of the place. 4.2 Traditional techniques and materials are preferred for the conservation of significant fabric. In some circumstances modern techniques and materials which offer substantial conservation benefits may be appropriate. The use of modern materials and techniques must be supported by firm scientific evidence or by a body of experience. Article 5. Values 5.1 Conservation of a place should identify and take into consideration all aspects of cultural and natural significance without unwarranted emphasis on any one value at the expense of others. 4 Austral ia ICOMOS I n c The Burra Charter, 1999 Articles Explanatory Notes Conservation of places with natural significance is explained in the Australian Natural Heritage Charter. This Charter defines natural significance to mean the importance of ecosystems, biological diversity and geodiversity for their existence value, or for present or future generations in terms of their scientific, social, aesthetic and life- support value. 5.2 Relative degrees of cultural significance may lead to different conservation actions at a place. A cautious approach is needed, as understanding of cultural significance may change. This article should not be used to justify actions which do not retain cultural significance. Article 6. Burra Charter process 6.1 The cultural significance of a place and other issues affecting its future are best understood by a sequence of collecting and analysing information before making decisions. Understanding cultural significance comes first, then development of policy and finally management of the place in accordance with the policy. The Burra Charter process, or sequence of investigations, decisions and actions, is illustrated in the accompanying flowchart. 6.2 The policy for managing a place must be based on an understanding of its cultural significance. 6.3 Policy development should also include consideration of other factors affecting the future of a place such as the owner’s needs, resources, external constraints and its physical condition. Article 7. Use 7.1 Where the use of a place is of cultural significance it should be retained. 7.2 A place should have a compatible use. The policy should identify a use or combination of uses or constraints on uses that retain the cultural significance of the place. New use of a place should involve minimal change, to significant fabric and use; should respect associations and meanings; and where appropriate should provide for continuation of practices which contribute to the cultural significance of the place. Article 8. Setting Conservation requires the retention of an appropriate visual setting and other relationships that contribute to the cultural significance of the place. New construction, demolition, intrusions or other changes which would adversely affect the setting or relationships are not appropriate. Aspects of the visual setting may include use, siting, bulk, form, scale, character, colour, texture and materials. Other relationships, such as historical connections, may contribute to interpretation, appreciation, enjoyment or experience of the place. Article 9. Location 9.1 The physical location of a place is part of its cultural significance. A building, work or other component of a place should remain in its historical location. Relocation is generally unacceptable unless this is the sole practical means of ensuring its survival. 9.2 Some buildings, works or other components of places were designed to be readily removable or already have a history of relocation. Provided such buildings, works or other components do not have significant links with their present location, removal may be appropriate. 9.3 If any building, work or other component is moved, it should be moved to an appropriate location and given an appropriate use. Such action should not be to the detriment of any place of cultural significance. Article 10. Contents Contents, fixtures and objects which contribute to the cultural significance of a place should be retained at that place. Their removal is unacceptable unless it is: the sole means of ensuring their security and preservation; on a temporary basis for treatment or exhibition; for cultural reasons; for health and safety; or to protect the place. Such contents, fixtures and objects should be returned where circumstances permit and it is culturally appropriate. Article 11. Related places and objects The contribution which related places and related objects make to the cultural significance of the place should be retained. Article 12. Participation Conservation, interpretation and management of a place should provide for the participation of people for whom the place has special associations and meanings, or who have social, spiritual or other cultural responsibilities for the place. Article 13. Co-existence of cultural values Co-existence of cultural values should be recognised, respected and encouraged, especially in cases where they conflict. 5The Burra Charter, 1999 Austra lia ICOMOS I n c Articles Explanatory Notes For some places, conflicting cultural values may affect policy development and management decisions. In this article, the term cultural values refers to those beliefs which are important to a cultural group, including but not limited to political, religious, spiritual and moral beliefs. This is broader than values associated with cultural significance. Conservation Processes Article 14. Conservation processes Conservation may, according to circumstance, include the processes of: retention or reintroduction of a use; retention of associations and meanings; maintenance, preservation, restoration, reconstruction, adaptation and interpretation; and will commonly include a combination of more than one of these. 6 Austra lia ICOMOS I n c The Burra Charter, 1999 Articles Explanatory Notes There may be circumstances where no action is required to achieve conservation. Article 15. Change 15.1 Change may be necessary to retain cultural significance, but is undesirable where it reduces cultural significance. The amount of change to a place should be guided by the cultural significance of the place and its appropriate interpretation. When change is being considered, a range of options should be explored to seek the option which minimises the reduction of cultural signific