Disaster risk management of cultural heritage sites in Albania

This document presents a project aimed at streamlining disaster risk management in Albania using its World Heritage properties as demonstration sites. The project was conceived to enhance the country's capacity for disaster risk management (DRM) and to advance the seismological and geological vulnerability mapping of Cultural Heritage properties.

The first section of this report discusses the overall context, the project objectives, the structure and results achieved in terms of capacity building and recommendations. A key message is that disaster risk reduction (DRR) for cultural heritage sites is a task for all sectors and it needs to be completed in an inclusive and integrated way as collaboration is necessary for resilience.

The second part of this document discusses the use of vulnerability mapping for DRR. The mapping of UNESCO sites in Albania was done by the launching of a microzonation assessment at the World Heritage properties of Gjirokastra, Berat, Saranda-Butrint and the Apollonia archaeological park. This produced a comprehensive assessment report and related maps of seismological risk and geo-hazard vulnerability.

This project describes the need for science-based DRR policy. Reliable scientific data should provide crucial support to the decision makers on geo-risk management in UNESCO designated sites. The produced data is considered necessary among designated sites managers to adequately tailor actions according to the magnitude and nature of the risk(s) at stake. It represents a tool for managers and planners in Albania, bringing out evidence-based findings and providing useful information for establishing guidelines and criteria for interventions in urban areas and cultural sites.