Developing transnational strategies and integrated web-based solutions is the aim of the research project INACO (Innovative strategies for the Adoption of risk management plans to enhance the resilience of sensitive Cultural and natural heritage Objectives against climate hazards in river basin districts). Cultural and natural heritage sites in river basins are to become more resilient to the challenges of climate change. As a partner, the Center for Cultural Property Protection at the University for Continuing Education Krems is contributing its previous knowledge of cultural heritage protection acquired in earlier Interreg projects. INACO is led by the Italian Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate - National Research Council.
With evidence of an increase in the intensity and frequency of hydro-meteorological events such as heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods, storms, heat waves and droughts with forest fires, climate change poses a significant threat to the physical conservation of cultural and natural heritage in Central Europe.
Recent flood events in Europe and in the INACO member countries illustrate the relevance of the project. These extreme weather events are a direct result of climate change and have far-reaching consequences for society. They threaten not only human lives and livelihoods, but also the valuable natural and cultural heritage.
Floods, inundations and mudslides pose a serious threat to historic buildings, archives and collections. Cultural landscapes, such as the INACO pilot sites, located close to rivers and water areas, are also particularly affected. The impact of these climatic changes varies from ecosystem to ecosystem, depending on the specific ecological and geomorphological conditions in the affected river basins.
EU: concrete Measures needed to protect Cultural Heritage from the Effects of Climate Change
The report 'Strengthening Cultural Heritage Resilience for Climate Change' (2022) by the Expert Group of EU Member States under the Open Method of Coordination shows that only a few Central European countries integrate cultural heritage into their climate policies and take concrete measures to protect it. There is a lack of knowledge about the damage that climate-related threats cause to cultural and natural heritage, as well as a lack of standardised methods for assessing this damage. Although the EU has adopted various directives and strategies over the years to deal with geological, water management and ecological risks, national and regional plans lack specific measures to protect cultural and natural sites. There is therefore an urgent need for action to promote the integration and implementation of these measures and to improve the protection of cultural heritage.
Development of joint adaptation strategies
INACO is an important step towards increasing the resilience of cultural and natural heritage sites in Central Europe, while raising awareness of the challenges of climate change. The project will develop joint adaptation strategies to preserve cultural landscapes and heritage along transitional rivers, lakeshores and inland waters. INACO builds on previous knowledge from the Interreg projects ProteCHt2save and STRENCH, and a key element is the development of WebGIS-based solutions and tools to assess the vulnerability of cultural heritage sites. In addition, specialised risk managers will be trained in selected pilot regions to support the implementation of the developed strategies.
From Theory to Practice: Pilot Regions
The INACO tools will be tested in their geomorphological and ecological context at a total of eight sites in Central Europe. The aim is to bridge the gap between theoretical analysis and practical application, and to direct research towards concrete solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders and address existing challenges in the field.
A key pilot site for the project is the shoreline of Lake Neusiedl in Austria, where nature reserves, historic buildings and archaeological sites are in close proximity. The ecosystem also faces the challenge of recurrent water shortages.
Other pilot sites include nature reserves and historic sites in the sea-river transition zone in the Po Delta (Italy) and in Dubrovnik (Croatia), archaeological sites on the shores of Lake Balaton in the town of Fonyód (Hungary), and monument complexes, historic parks and gardens in inland river basins such as the Wiesenttal and Rednitz Valley (Germany), the Jelenia Gorà Valley (Poland), the Košice region (Slovakia) and the Central Bohemian Vltava Valley (Czech Republic).
By bringing together experts from different countries and disciplines, INACO will develop innovative solutions to current challenges and preserve the cultural heritage for future generations.
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