Project Risk Management for Sustainable Restoration of Immovable Cultural Heritage: Lessons from Construction Industry and Formulation of a Customized PRM Model

The purpose of this research is to introduce and develop a knowledge base for restoration industry aimed at understanding and dealing with risks arising in restoration projects of built and architectural cultural heritage. These projects face a number of risks and are viewed unfavorably from a number of sustainability perspectives. The research study, therefore, is expected to generate interest and debate among the professional and researcher community in the arena of restoration of built cultural heritage for formally applying Project Management (PM) and Project Risk management (PRM) theories and practices. The research method consists of reviewing published literature and analyzing the dynamics of restoration industry (both from academic and practitioner point of view) in order to propose an application framework. Owing to a number of striking similarities between construction and restoration projects (and more so with building renovation and maintenance), an attempt is made in order to align this study nearest to the construction sector, incorporating the lessons learnt in that area. Building upon and taking inspiration from the fundamentals of Construction Management, this thesis proposes a framework which is supposed to methodically apply risk management within the proposed project management stages. Research results seem to have confirmed that the restoration industry has not yet exposed to formal PM and PRM theories and practices to a greater level. Thus there is enormous impetus and ensuing incentive with the incorporation of formal theories and customized tools as proposed by this research, which attempts to target the exceedingly important area of cultural heritage restoration and the missing aspect of PM and PRM. Further, the proposed framework is an attempt at bridging communication gaps between management and restoration experts. Thus, it highlights the importance of scientifically and effectively managing restoration projects. Nevertheless, this uniting attempt has its own risks in terms of terminologies, technical language, and the understanding of risk and its management which may be a practical limitations as in the field of engineering also, the foundation of PM and PRM areas of knowledge finds its traces in Construction Management – which is further an application of management in construction engineering - it’s rather challenging to reconcile knowledge from different areas. Further, the study explores issues concerning sustainability of restoration projects based on their use of PM and PRM. Results are expected to help stakeholders of restoration projects understand and apply the proposed PRM framework. This study is also aimed at developing a foundation for dissemination of PM and PRM knowledge in restoration industry, and provides impetus for future studies to examine how restoration projects can deal with risky situations. Based on the emphasis on sustainable development aspects of restoration projects for facilitating the stakeholders of built cultural heritage in taking critical decisions (because if not managed properly, the risks in a restoration project may either cause project failure or damage the historical buildings), it can be stated that this study has some potential sustainability implications. Therefore, from society’s sustainability perspective, it is imperative that stakeholders identify, analyze, control and manage risks before commencing the restoration activities. The study is an original effort in examining the penetration of PM and PRM practices in restoration industry. Based on it, the study proposes an original framework for application of formal PRM for restoration projects. Results are of relevance in today’s world where risks hinder and sustainability guides the decision making.