The use of WebGIS to enhance community resilience to flooding: Discovering the tangible and intangible local flood culture of the city of York

Chitty, Gillian . and Sprega, Alessandra (2018) The use of WebGIS to enhance community resilience to flooding: Discovering the tangible and intangible local flood culture of the city of York. In: ICOMOS 19th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium "Heritage and Democracy", 13-14th December 2017, New Delhi, India. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

Historic built heritage is the tangible expression of the culture of a place. It represents the identity of a community in relation to its historical inheritance, aesthetic canons and system of beliefs. Natural disasters, such as flooding, constitute a violent interruption to the continuity of these tangible and intangible values. In this context of exceptional cultural emergency, community participation and the understanding of a local risk culture are considered key in the promotion of preventive measures and in reducing disaster vulnerability. Over the last few decades, the cultural assets of the historic city of York (UK) have been threatened by an increasing frequency of flood episodes due to climate change. In order to mitigate the impact of the flooding and to preserve the vulnerable heritage, it is necessary to enhance the notion of “living with risk” within the community affected. This project explores ways in which digital resources can be used to engage and increase community awareness and to integrate local ‘flood culture’ – how people understand, respond and adapt to flooding - in long-term planning and mitigation measures. The study conducted in York’s historic centre, aims to enhance community resilience to flood through digital techniques and participatory planning. This research explores the potential of WebGIS as a tool able to record tangible and intangible elements of the York local flood culture in relation to the historic buildings affected by flooding. The data base created by GIS software will inform citizens and conservation practitioners about the vulnerability of historic buildings and it will suggest possible measures to adopt in accordance with principles of sustainability and compatibility with the traditional materials, providing the basis for future best-practice guidelines. A web-based method is proposed that supports social learning and draws on the existing knowledge and capacities of the community.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:
Authors
Email
Chitty, Gillian .
UNSPECIFIED
Sprega, Alessandra
UNSPECIFIED
Languages: English
Keywords: digital resources; conservation; dissemination; accessibility; built heritage; risk prevention; disaster; York; United Kingdom; flooding; community; digital techniques; WebGIS
Subjects: E.CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 12. Techniques
E.CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 09. Social and economic aspects of conservation
G.DETERIORATION > 05. Prevention of deterioration
P. GEOGRAPHIC AREAS > 05. Europe
National Committee: ICOMOS International
ICOMOS Special Collection: Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume: 19th General Assembly, New Delhi, 2017
Depositing User: intern icomos
Date Deposited: 11 Jan 2019 14:07
Last Modified: 11 Jan 2019 14:07
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URI: https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/2036

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