Resilience and preservation of cultural heritage after natural disasters: Case study of city of Volos, Greece

Abstract

Natural disasters and their interaction with cultural heritage are a global phenomenon that has come to the attention of the scientific community the last decade. Preventive measures and policies have been developed in order to protect the natural and cultural environment of the humanity. The current study aims at the identification of cultural heritage, its interaction with natural disasters and the up-to-dated developed policies for Volos city in Prefecture of Magnesia, in Greece. “The social and economic implications of a heritage at risk”, are corroborated by the example of the ‘50s earthquake at Magnesia Prefecture. The current research indicates that Greek policies are not well targeted, and they are without a vision. Additionally the preventive taken measures are not cost effective and the local community is not aware of the existing risk. Thus, in the current research are proposed a few non-constructive measures such as: (i) the creation of a local natural disaster and cultural heritage data-base, (ii) the enhancement of the public awareness concerning the natural disasters and its effect on cultural heritage and (iii) the promotion of cultural heritage and its value. Aiming at cultural resilience and sustainable development of the region, the proposed measures must also be supported by a strong legal framework.