Aid and Reconstruction of Heritage in the Context of Post-Conflict Societies

Abstract

Reconstruction of destroyed heritage has been an important interest in the expenditure of international aid funds when confronting post-conflict situations. Prevention of destruction has also been of concern but with less success in the international conflict scene. However, when aid and reconstruction are the main objectives, the targets seldom agree with the realities of post-conflict politics and the rather slow process of societal restructuration. The often speedy need for “reconstruction” tends to be negative for the actual architectural heritage of a given society, and, as I underline here, often transgresses the delicate process of social healing. In this paper I will present problems and successes incurred in reconstruction strategies in post-conflict periods in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In sum, I will underline the strong correlation between interest and willingness to consider preservation of heritage and the solution to social, political and economic conflicts in post-war settings.