Conservation theory in the twenty-first century: slow evolution or a paradigm shift?

The prevailing philosophies and world view of nineteenth-century Europe, the Arts and Crafts Movement, the writings of William Morris and John Ruskin, amongst others, came to define a conservation movement that shaped conservation practices in years to come. These philosophies, influenced by romanticism and rationalism also underpin what became known as modern conservation in the twentieth century and are embedded in numerous international charters and conventions, including the World Heritage Convention. In the twenty-first century heritage conservation has become a truly global concern, as heritage is commercialised like never before and threatened like never before. This article questions whether the established theories of conservation are still relevant to an expanding remit and changing demands of building conservation in the global context of the twenty-first century. It argues that established conservation principles and the tools that support them are woefully ill-equipped to respond to rapidly shifting attitudes globally and the management structures that have emerged out of neo-liberal outlooks.