Twentieth Century Heritage Practice Survey 2024
In 2024, the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Twentieth-Century Heritage (ISC20C) invited ICOMOS National Committees around the world to participate in a survey on the identification, protection, and management of twentieth-century heritage.
The survey provides an overview of current practice across different national and regional contexts, while identifying key challenges, opportunities, and priorities for the conservation of twentieth-century heritage. It also considers emerging issues, including climate change, and examines how the principles, tools, and guidance developed by ISC20C over the past two decades are understood and applied in practice.
The findings reveal a field that has matured significantly since the early 2000s, yet remains vulnerable. Twentieth-century heritage has now secured a place within contemporary heritage action and discourse, including at the World Heritage level. At the same time, the findings highlight persistent gaps between research and effective conservation, between specialist recognition and protection, and between established principles and their practical implementation. They also point to the need for continued development and dissemination of knowledge, capacity, and tools capable of addressing both longstanding and emerging challenges.
The survey provides an important basis for ISC20C’s future program of work and for strengthening collaboration. The conservation of twentieth-century heritage is a collective responsibility, and meaningful progress will depend on sustained collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and coordinated action. We hope this report will inspire heritage professionals, site managers, researchers, policymakers, educational institutions, communities, ICOMOS National Committees, and allied organisations to champion and contribute to these priorities within their own spheres of influence and regions.
ISC20C extends its appreciation to the ICOMOS National Committees, individual contributors, and colleagues who contributed their time, knowledge, and expertise to this survey.
The survey provides an overview of current practice across different national and regional contexts, while identifying key challenges, opportunities, and priorities for the conservation of twentieth-century heritage. It also considers emerging issues, including climate change, and examines how the principles, tools, and guidance developed by ISC20C over the past two decades are understood and applied in practice.
The findings reveal a field that has matured significantly since the early 2000s, yet remains vulnerable. Twentieth-century heritage has now secured a place within contemporary heritage action and discourse, including at the World Heritage level. At the same time, the findings highlight persistent gaps between research and effective conservation, between specialist recognition and protection, and between established principles and their practical implementation. They also point to the need for continued development and dissemination of knowledge, capacity, and tools capable of addressing both longstanding and emerging challenges.
The survey provides an important basis for ISC20C’s future program of work and for strengthening collaboration. The conservation of twentieth-century heritage is a collective responsibility, and meaningful progress will depend on sustained collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and coordinated action. We hope this report will inspire heritage professionals, site managers, researchers, policymakers, educational institutions, communities, ICOMOS National Committees, and allied organisations to champion and contribute to these priorities within their own spheres of influence and regions.
ISC20C extends its appreciation to the ICOMOS National Committees, individual contributors, and colleagues who contributed their time, knowledge, and expertise to this survey.