How Not to Conserve: A Cautionary Tale

Are conservation principles reflected in conservation projects? The field of conservation is complex and constantly evolving, but the core principle has always been the same: to protect heritage values. We rely on regulations to provide guidance on best conservation practices, but meeting policy is not the same as meeting conservation intent. Descriptions of 'good conservation' are wrought with subjective and contradicting terminology, which can be misinterpreted, or worse, manipulated to fit the goals of its user. Furthermore, heritage must compete with urban planning and development initiatives, which can conflict with the protection of heritage values. Dissecting the current state of conservation practice in Ottawa, we set out to explore how (and if) conservation projects reflect the contemporary context of heritage. An existing adaptive reuse project in Ottawa will be analyzed, paired with a series of interviews with conservation experts, in search of more responsive ways to protect Canada's heritage.