Heritage in Times of Conflict by Lily Ward

Lily works as an architectural assistant and heritage advisor in our London studio and has a Masters in Conservation Architecture. Below she shares some of her findings from her recent research—Heritage in Times of Conflict: An Evaluation of the Role of Communities in Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Ukraine.

“At ADP, we recognise the importance of heritage in fostering identity and belonging, which is why we prioritise community-centred approaches to unlock the potential of historic buildings. As a heritage advisor and architectural assistant, I am passionate about safeguarding cultural heritage and actively engaging communities in this process. My recent research, ‘Heritage in Times of Conflict – An Evaluation of the Role of Communities in Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Ukraine’, reflects my dedication to this field both professionally and academically. I had the privilege of presenting this research at the IEREK (International Experts for Research Enrichment and Knowledge Exchange) Conference on ‘Conservation of Architectural Heritage’ in Sardinia in September 2024.

Since the conflict began on 24^th February 2022, Ukraine’s cultural heritage has faced significant risks, with UNESCO confirming damage to 485 cultural sites. Cultural heritage holds significant value to communities and can be a vehicle for peace, but it is often deliberately targeted during times of conflict. Using a mixed-methods approach, including interviews and literature analysis, the study explores how local communities in Ukraine have actively participated in protecting their cultural heritage amidst the ongoing conflict.

Key findings highlight community activism, the physical protection of heritage, and the involvement of local professionals in documentation and recovery efforts as key community-led initiatives. The research offers key recommendations, including the need for preparatory actions during peacetime, revising policies and legislation to encourage meaningful community engagement, and fostering collaboration as a core strategy for safeguarding cultural heritage during conflict.

This research will be published in the IEREK ASTI (Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation) Book this summer. Building on this work, my next study will explore ‘Approaches to the recovery of architectural heritage in post-conflict contexts: The role of community values’. Through my work at ADP and ongoing research, I continue to advocate for the integration of community-centred approaches in heritage conservation practices, ensuring the preservation of cultural identity even in the most challenging circumstances.”