Criteria for evaluation of modern architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina to support its preservation

Abstract

PurposeAs detailed criteria for evaluation of modern architecture do not yet exist in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), the aim of this paper is to assist in their development by providing an analysis of the scope of those criteria in the related international documents. The research objective is to identify what values of modern architecture were historically and are currently considered significant to merit its preservation.Design/methodology/approachThe research methods include a review of relevant literature, collecting data from the B&H and international organisations criteria for evaluation of architectural heritage; a comparative analysis of the collected data to propose criteria for evaluation of modern architecture in B&H that are aligned with the evaluation criteria of UNESCO’s World Heritage List and with Docomomo’s criteria.FindingsThe above comparative analysis showed that such criteria could be developed by selecting relevant criteria from a long list of criteria for evaluation of built heritage in B&H, which currently do not consider architecture built after 1960.Practical implicationsThe proposed evaluation criteria will be tested on different typologies of modern architecture in B&H to enable wider discussion of stakeholders and relevant agencies on their applicability.Social implicationsThe proposed evaluation criteria will contribute to the promotion of architectural heritage of the 20th century in B&H.Originality/valueThere has been no previous research on how to develop criteria for evaluation of architectural heritage of the 20th century in B&H.