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Unit of study_
ARCH9074: Principles of Heritage Conservation
2026 unit information
This unit introduces students to key controversies, theoretical propositions and practical innovations that have shaped the development of heritage conservation. The unit covers ideas and examples from the ancient world until the present, with the focus being on the period from 1800 until today. The aim of the unit is to help students to arrive at a clear understanding of the ideas and principles that define heritage conservation and to promote a strong historical and ethical perspective on the field. Students will consider, for example, the meaning of, and differences between, protection, conservation, restoration and reconstruction; the forms of value that inform place protection efforts, including social value; the function of conservation protocols such as the Venice Charter, Burra Charter and Nara Document on Authenticity; the importance of advocacy and activism; the tensions between universality and cultural specificity in heritage conservation principles and practice; and the growing significance of Indigenous cultural heritage and issues of cultural difference to contemporary practice.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Urban and Regional Planning and Policy |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. demonstrate an understanding of the historical development and central principles associated with the field of heritage and conservation
- LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the key controversies and theories that have shaped the practices and problems in the heritage and conservation field
- LO3. identify key individuals, charters and agreements involved in the development of conservation thinking and practice
- LO4. identify the range of skills that are required by heritage and conservation practitioners and recognised by the international, professional and government bodies connected to the field
- LO5. Undertake critical research and analyse the historical development of heritage principles
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2026
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Normal evening | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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