The Importance of Ri sk Management as an Approach to Protecting Syrian Cultural Heritage SitesComplex Challenges and Available Opportunities

Abstract

Cultural heritage is threatened by environmental conditions, natural disasters and human risks all over the world, including Syrian cultural heritage sites, which suffer as a result of the war from increasing losses and damages from demolition, burning and vandalism, which requires understanding and analyzing the type of risks in order to make sound decisions aimed at mitigating or preventing them. The research aims to analyze the reality of cultural heritage sites in Syria, and to try to reveal effective management capable of protecting these sites in cooperation with the public, private sectors and the local community, in addition to explore opportunities, threats and necessary measures for the possibility of protection during and after the crisis, and to emphasize the importance of managing risks with this protection. The research relied on the descriptive approach in an analytical manner to achieve the research objectives. The study concluded that it is necessary to take proactive measures, and to rely on collective work by involving the local community in preserving the ancient heritage that they are proud of. The research recommended the need to cooperate with international organizations to protect hundreds of archaeological sites and secure them from the repercussions of current events.