How can interpretation be used to promote the sustainable conservation of a historic site? What is meant by sustainable conservation of historic sites is examined and its three aspects: the social, financial, and environmental defined. On the basis of a critical literature review, objectives for an interpretation plan that promotes the sustainability of a historic site are stated. Through case studies, current interpretive practices are examined and evaluated as to their potential for meeting these objectives. Sites chosen for study were identified by heritage professionals as ‘best practices.’ Case studies include Valley Forge National Park, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Burton Cotton Gin Museum, Burton, Texas; Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; President Lincoln’s Cottage, Washington D.C.; and the National Steel & Iron Heritage Museum, Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Based on the results of case study research, a best practices methodology is developed for writing an interpretation plan with sustainability among its central goals and practical examples of the unique ways in which each site addresses the different aspects of sustainability are given. The methodology developed is tested by outlining an interpretation plan for the Zedler Mill in Luling, Texas that promotes sustainability. This mill was a driving economic force in this small South Central Texas town for a period of nearly ninety years from 1874 to 1964. As with any historic site, conservation of the mill site today and into the future depends upon community support. My findings demonstrate how interpretation programs can provide the community (society) with social and economic benefits that can sustain that support. / text

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agricultural Economics / Dalton, Timothy J. / Essay one evaluates two farmer field schools aimed at promoting conservation agricultural practices. The field schools were conducted and offered to approximately 1/3 of all individuals surveyed in a baseline in 2010. These same farmers were resurveyed in 2012 in order to determine whether their knowledge of conservation agriculture practices had changed using a double-difference approach. The approach was also used to determine whether innate perceptions and biases against conservation agriculture have changed over time due to training in the field schools. These findings are supported with enterprise budgets of conservation practices to determine whether knowledge or on-farm economics limit adoption of conservation practices. The data showed that farmer-to-farmer communications are effective tools for raising knowledge. Essay two examines the interdependence of sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SAIPs) in order to better understand the constraints and incentives for the adoption of components and “packages” of components. The impact of accumulated knowledge score on the adoption of SAIPs was assessed using data from 168 participant and non-participant farm households that completed a survey in 2014 and 2012 from the Upper West region of Ghana. From a three-step regression, our findings show knowledge of participant household improved with evidence of knowledge spillover to non-participant. Participation, age and gender of the head of household and experience were factors impacting farm household knowledge score change on SAIPs. The study found that, knowledge score through the treatment effect impacts adoption of SAIPs which are complementary. Younger household heads and experience in farming are also found to likely impact adoption. Essay three estimates technical efficiency (TE) scores for millet and sorghum and evaluates the impact of soil and water conservation methods on TE scores. The paper also examines the sensitivity of TE scores on the distributional assumptions of the one-sided error using data from 518 and 754 farm households producing millet and sorghum respectively from a random national household survey in Niger. A Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier model was used. The mean TE scores range from 52% to 66% and 35% to 60% respectively for adopters and non-adopters of soil and water conservation methods in millet production based on the distributional assumptions of the one-sided error. For sorghum production, the mean TE scores range from 47% to 63% and 39% to 63% respectively for adopters and non-adopters of soil and water conservation methods based on the distributional assumptions of the one-sided error. This suggests inefficiencies in the production of millet and sorghum and hence, the potential to improve output using existing technology. Adopters are relatively more efficient than non-adopters of soil and water conservation methods. The TE score differences in millet production are explained by location of household (rural), educational level and adoption of soil and water conservation. The efficiency score differences in sorghum can be explained by household size, educational level and soil and water conservation adoption. We also found TE scores are sensitive to the distributional assumptions of the one-sided error using the farm household level data.

This study provides a re-evaluation of the physical condition of, as well as past and current restoration and conservation work at Ahi Elvan Camii, &Ouml / rtmeli Mesjidi, Sabun&icirc / Mesjidi and Poyraji Mesjidi&amp / #8212 / i.e., one Friday mosque, or camii, and three mesjids, or small neighborhood mosques, located in Ulus, today the historic center of Ankara. All four structures, now registered as historic monuments, have survived intact, preserving most of their original architectural elements. Each structure also represents a different example of a building type which became prevalent in Ankara during the 14th can 15th centuries which have stone foundations, mud brick bearings walls with timber tie-beams, as well as timber ceilings supported by freestanding timber posts. These structures, registered and restored during different periods since the 1920s, were intervened upon in various ways and clad and/or plastered with differing materials (e.g., cement-based or clay-based materials). Although at times past conservation interventions and/or signs of decay may be clearly visible, the effects of these on each structure as a whole&amp / #8212 / whether positive or negative&amp / #8212 / may be more difficult to detect. A micro-climatic investigation program thus provided the primary, non-destructive diagnostic technique for this study. In addition to this, published as well as unpublished documents within the archives of Vakiflar Genel M&uuml / d&uuml / rl&uuml / g&uuml / , or the General-Directorate of Endowments in Ankara, provided visual as well as written information on the history of each structure. Their building materials, as well as past and present restoration and conservation work were also analyzed in situ. Based on long-term meteorological records for Ankara, data were collected at each structure for one year during January, April, July and October using Tiny tag&reg / Plus data loggers on interior and exterior temperatures and relative humidity, as well as surface temperatures at their timber ceilings for one week per season. In addition to this, the distribution of temperature and relative humidity at each structure was measured every m2 within the main prayer hall and women&amp / #8217 / s section, or kadinlar mahfeli at each structure per season, and surface temperature measurements taken of their timber ceilings and interior wall surfaces. Data collected were subsequently analyzed with respect to various relevant factors such as / the physical characteristics of their load-bearing walls and the buffer capacity of materials within these structures and their effects on indoor microclimatic conditions, the risk of surface condensation at the exterior wall surfaces and the timber ceilings of each structure, suggested parameters required for the conservation of their interior timber elements, and materials conservation vis &agrave / vis existing comfort conditions. Past measures taken in the restoration and conservation of the four structures and their present physical condition were thus re-evaluated, and recommendations provided for possible approaches to their sustainable conservation in the long-term.

During the past decades there has been an increasing interest in the conservation of the cultural-historical character of 20th century single-family housing areas in Sweden. Many of these areas are characterised by the fact that they have changed significantly over time, creating highly diverse historic urban landscapes. However, current conservation strategies are still mainly rooted in the conserve as found paradigm where change is mainly seen as a threat to the cultural significance of the area. Therefore, this study aims to research if the changing character of the single-family housing area also can be of heritage value. By using the single-family housing area Rynninge in Örebro as a case study, the research shows that change is an inevitable part of single-family housing areas and that the underlying historical concepts and ideas of the area are manifestations of change. Change is also a cultural practice in itself being an expression of a need for intimacy and demographic composition, while also functioning as a symbol for the Swedish utopia. Since our current conservation strategies are mainly based on a sense of authenticity we will need to rethink how we define this concept. A possible way to do this is thinking about the single-family housing area as a lived authentic space, containing both static and dynamic features. This study, therefore, concludes that an alternative approach towards the changing character of single-family housing areas is needed where the changing character of the area is also part of its cultural significance and authenticity, introducing a heritage of change. By opening up to a more flexible and inclusive approach towards change this can contribute to the development of more sustainable conservation strategies in cultural, economic and environmental contexts.

Devant le contexte actuel des crises environnementale et sociale, on ne peut que s’interroger sur la capacité du domaine de la conservation du patrimoine à intégrer les principes et les concepts liés au développement durable. Alors que plusieurs liens entre la conservation du patrimoine culturel et le développement durable existent, il devient nécessaire de solidifier cette union. Réalisée en amont du projet de conservation, l’évaluation patrimoniale basée sur l’approche par les valeurs permet d’établir la signification d’un lieu selon les valeurs qui lui sont associées. Il y a cependant lieu de se questionner : au-delà des valeurs historiques, esthétiques ou architecturales traditionnellement attribuées au patrimoine bâti, quel intérêt accorde-t-on aux dimensions environnementales, économiques et sociales? Le postulat de ce mémoire est qu’il est essentiel d’élargir l’évaluation patrimoniale afin d’y intégrer de nouvelles valeurs liées au développement durable. Nous nous proposons d’étudier la faisabilité de ceci en élaborant un modèle d’évaluation patrimoniale basé sur une approche par les valeurs qui prend en compte l’ensemble des valeurs inhérentes au patrimoine bâti, c’est-à-dire les aspects culturels, sociaux, économiques et environnementaux. Cette proposition se traduit en une grille d’évaluation qui comporte ces dimensions. Afin de confronter notre hypothèse au réel, nous procéderons à une étude de cas : le Silo no.5 situé dans le Vieux-Port de Montréal. Aux termes de cette recherche, nous estimons être en mesure d’identifier les limites de notre expérimentation et de déterminer ce qui pourrait être fait pour contribuer aux efforts en conservation. Il nous apparaît que les recherches effectuées dans le cadre de ce mémoire sont susceptibles d’intéresser toute personne oeuvrant dans le domaine de la conservation du patrimoine. / While some link between heritage conservation and sustainability are already established, we need to improve our ability to protect and enhance heritage within sustainability framework. The evaluation of our built heritage establishes its significance through its associated values. However, some questions needs to be answered: beyond the traditional values attributed to our build heritage, what is the role attributed to the environment, economic and social aspects in the evaluation of a site? In the interest of pursuing the natural alliance between sustainable development and heritage conservation, the question begs to be asked in the particular context of heritage evaluations. Our research topic focuses on a key question: can the definition of heritage continue to broaden to encompass sustainability’s criteria? The thesis objective is to achieve a synthesis of the need to conserve our built heritage and the concept of sustainable development as criteria into the methodology used to evaluate a site to ensure the conservation of heritage for sociocultural, economic and environmental considerations. This research proposes to examine the values based approach and current heritage evaluation methods. To enhance heritage approach, we will take into consideration the sustainable paradigm and its actual translation in architectural and historic preservation practices. We propose to elaborate a new evaluation grid that includes criteria in relation with social, environmental and economic issues. We will validate this grid with a case study: Montreal’s Grain elevator No5. Accordingly, a clear overview needs to include all aspect of our cultural heritage to manage and guide the conservation projects in order to achieve a sustainable approach.

Devant le contexte actuel des crises environnementale et sociale, on ne peut que s’interroger sur la capacité du domaine de la conservation du patrimoine à intégrer les principes et les concepts liés au développement durable. Alors que plusieurs liens entre la conservation du patrimoine culturel et le développement durable existent, il devient nécessaire de solidifier cette union. Réalisée en amont du projet de conservation, l’évaluation patrimoniale basée sur l’approche par les valeurs permet d’établir la signification d’un lieu selon les valeurs qui lui sont associées. Il y a cependant lieu de se questionner : au-delà des valeurs historiques, esthétiques ou architecturales traditionnellement attribuées au patrimoine bâti, quel intérêt accorde-t-on aux dimensions environnementales, économiques et sociales? Le postulat de ce mémoire est qu’il est essentiel d’élargir l’évaluation patrimoniale afin d’y intégrer de nouvelles valeurs liées au développement durable. Nous nous proposons d’étudier la faisabilité de ceci en élaborant un modèle d’évaluation patrimoniale basé sur une approche par les valeurs qui prend en compte l’ensemble des valeurs inhérentes au patrimoine bâti, c’est-à-dire les aspects culturels, sociaux, économiques et environnementaux. Cette proposition se traduit en une grille d’évaluation qui comporte ces dimensions. Afin de confronter notre hypothèse au réel, nous procéderons à une étude de cas : le Silo no.5 situé dans le Vieux-Port de Montréal. Aux termes de cette recherche, nous estimons être en mesure d’identifier les limites de notre expérimentation et de déterminer ce qui pourrait être fait pour contribuer aux efforts en conservation. Il nous apparaît que les recherches effectuées dans le cadre de ce mémoire sont susceptibles d’intéresser toute personne oeuvrant dans le domaine de la conservation du patrimoine. / While some link between heritage conservation and sustainability are already established, we need to improve our ability to protect and enhance heritage within sustainability framework. The evaluation of our built heritage establishes its significance through its associated values. However, some questions needs to be answered: beyond the traditional values attributed to our build heritage, what is the role attributed to the environment, economic and social aspects in the evaluation of a site? In the interest of pursuing the natural alliance between sustainable development and heritage conservation, the question begs to be asked in the particular context of heritage evaluations. Our research topic focuses on a key question: can the definition of heritage continue to broaden to encompass sustainability’s criteria? The thesis objective is to achieve a synthesis of the need to conserve our built heritage and the concept of sustainable development as criteria into the methodology used to evaluate a site to ensure the conservation of heritage for sociocultural, economic and environmental considerations. This research proposes to examine the values based approach and current heritage evaluation methods. To enhance heritage approach, we will take into consideration the sustainable paradigm and its actual translation in architectural and historic preservation practices. We propose to elaborate a new evaluation grid that includes criteria in relation with social, environmental and economic issues. We will validate this grid with a case study: Montreal’s Grain elevator No5. Accordingly, a clear overview needs to include all aspect of our cultural heritage to manage and guide the conservation projects in order to achieve a sustainable approach.