Transformation and resilience of our cultural landscapes, archaeology and built heritage: defining responses to societal and natural pressures

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1 Transformation and resilience of our cultural landscapes, archaeology and built heritage: defining responses to societal and natural pressures Science and Heritage Programme Research Cluster 1 st Meeting: Giant s Causeway, Northern Ireland th February 2009 Outline In our first meeting, we will be confronted with evidence for climate change and the effects this is having, and is predicted to have, on a Natural World Heritage Site. Staff from the National Trust, and from Queen s University in Belfast, will present information on issues pertinent to the future of the Causeway. The topics will span physical impacts, recording for monitoring and policy development. A tour of the site by local staff will highlight and clarify these issues. Following this, the group will hear from further diverse speakers on subjects concerned mainly with social and economic factors in heritage, which will not be immediately, or obviously, related to the current setting. This is intended to broaden the spectrum of interdisciplinarity, and to balance the morning s presentations that will focus on physical processes, and as a reminder that to address the impacts of climate change on heritage we must consider the social and economic in conjunction with the physical. In the final session, the group will begin its work towards identifying the main social and physical transformational pressures that threaten heritage, what research is needed and working methods to achieve the cluster s objectives. Objectives Our ultimate objectives for the cluster are two-fold: - To develop a sustainable pooled research partnership, that will -.develop collaborative interdisciplinary research programmes, and access project funding. To achieve this, we will, through the three meetings, progress in defining a set of research objectives appropriate for our situations, but with international significance. Meeting Aims and Objectives To develop an interdisciplinary perspective on transformation of heritage in response to pressures including natural decay amplified by climate change and tourism. To understand the scenarios of climate change that will impact on Heritage. To Identify the key transformational pressures on heritage as a result of climate change. To identify intersections between physical and social aspects suitable for research into the impacts of climate change. To consider how an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral group can address these questions. The type of questions that we can address at the meeting could include (not an exhaustive list!): How does climate change impact on the values that relate to the inscription of the WHS, and its other diverse listings? How do we ascribe value to Heritage? How do we use information from physical, social and economic studies to make future decisions?

2 The meeting will take place at the National Trust s Education Centre, on Causeway Road, about 300m east of the Causeway Visitor s Centre and car park- Beware! the car park is operated by the local Moyle Council, and costs 5 flat charge. See maps below. Programme Thursday 19 th February Morning Session: Welcome: Esther Dobbin National Trust Northern Ireland John Hughes (Uni. West of Scotland)- Science and Heritage Programme Research Clusters. Context, aims and objectives. Participants, organisers, practical arrangements Nick Betts (Geography QUB) Climate change scenarios for Northern Ireland Coffee and scones Bernie Smith (Geography QUB) Potential impacts of climate change on the stability and management of the Giant s Causeway WHS Ramon Pellitero (Geography, University of Valladolid) Mapping slope stability at the Causeway a new management tool John Meneely (Geography QUB) Laser survey and the accurate recording of natural Heritage Phil Davidson National Trust policy towards coastal management Lunch Site visit to the Causeway (weather permitting!- bring waterproof clothing and sensible shoes) Coffee back at the education centre Afternoon Session: Social and Economic factors affecting heritage: Inputs from cluster members Stewart Dunlop (Fraser of Allander Institute): "How can economics help the study of climate change?" Sian Jones (Archaeology, Uni of Manchester): "Conservation, transformation and social value" Claire Bereziat (Moffat Institute, Glasgow Caledonian) : Barnabas Calder (Architecture, Uni of Strathclyde) "Ruining the ordinary? Heritage versus environment in housing stock" Alexandre Gagnon (UWS): Community adaptation to climate change Discussion- main points from the day. Later Dinner (TBA) Friday 20 th February Morning Session: The way forward, what are the key issues, and how do we work together?

3 Participants Susanna Allen, Phil Banfill, Claire Bereziat Nick Betts Max Bryant Barnabas Calder Patrick Casement Sue Christie Barry Crawford Phil Davidson, Tom Dawson Frank Devlin Bryan Dickson, Esther Dobbin Jane Downes, Stewart Dunlop, Laura Duthie Garth Earls Caro-lynne Ferris Stewart Freeman Alexandre Gagnon Julie Gibson, Sandi Howie John Hughes Ewan Hyslop Sian Jones Martin Lee Gillian Little Peter Martin Kathleen McBride Lisa McCaughan John Meneely Diana Murray Ramon Pellitero Vernon Phoenix Diane Ruddock Bernie Smith Graham Thompson Emily Tracey Debbie Williams Maureen Young Marta Zurakowska Heriot Watt University Moffat Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University. NT Property Manager - N. Coast (Fri only) University of Strathclyde Chair NTNI Northern Ireland Environmental Link NT Nature Conservation & Access Warden N. Coast. National Trust for Northern Ireland St. Andrews University NT Maintenance Manager N. Coast National Trust for Scotland NT Visitor Services Manager - North Coast Orkney College UHIMI Fraser of Allander Institute, Strathclyde University Geological Survey Northern Ireland NI Planning Service. Orkney Islands Council British Geological Survey University of Manchester NT Marketing & Visitor promotions The Robert Gordon University NI Tourist Board NT Environmental Education Officer N. Coast Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland University of Valladolid NT External Affairs Manager NT Giant's Causeway Project Director Scottish Stone Liaison Group AHRC/EPSRC Science and Heritage Programme Historic Scotland

4 The National Trust s Education Centre at the Causeway. Causeway Visitor s Centre Causeway NT Office and Education Centre

5 Causeway Visitor s Centre NT Office and Education Centre