OUHN Summer Event 2020 Recap: Loss of home and heritage: How should we respond?

Here at the Oxford University Heritage Network, we are all still ‘chewing over’ the ample food for thought provided at our sold-out summer event in which we tackled the question of ‘How should we respond to the Loss of Home and Heritage?’ Our interdisciplinary panel of Dr Ammar Azzouz (Architecture), Lia Costiner (Digital Humanities), and Sinan Acikgoz (Engineering) was chaired by Lyse Doucet (BBC’s Chief International Correspondent) who wove together the threads of loss, war, hazards, destruction and disaster into a fabric of hope, resilience and (re)construction. Further inspired by questions from the audience, we agreed that such loss reflects a multi-layered history and that there are no clear-cut answers, although the role of digital technologies provided a hopeful link between all the contributions. There are undoubtedly lots of potential, opportunities for heritage researchers and professionals to contribute further and help move into a 21^st century where constructive responses to loss can help create a more resilient future for heritage and home.

Dr Azzouz is the lead on the project Domicide, a video project exploring the impact of the destruction of built structures through conflict. To watch the project’s recently launched ‘Cities don’t lie: On Reconstruction and Rebuilding’ please follow the link below.

Cities don't lie: On reconstruction and rebuilding