Overview

UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

Throughout Asia and the Pacific, cultural heritage sites are under threat. As heritage buildings and properties are largely in private ownership, the role of private individuals and institutions in protecting these vulnerable sites is paramount. Recognizing this, UNESCO seeks to encourage private sector involvement and public-private collaboration in conserving the region’s cultural heritage for the benefit of current and future generations.

Since 2000, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have been recognizing the achievement of the private sector and public-private initiatives in successfully conserving or restoring structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region. There are two categories for recognition, of which are the Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation category and the Awards for New Design in Heritage Contexts category.

 

Cultural Heritage Conservation Category 

This category was established in 2000 to recognize excellent achievement in successfully conserving or restoring heritage buildings and properties in the region by private sector or by public-private initiatives. 

The Awards recognize excellence in three main areas of achievement: understanding the place, technical achievement, and sustainability and impact.

The levels of achievement are as follows:

a. Award of Excellence, which demonstrates exceptional achievement in all criteria and has a major catalytic impact at the national or regional level;

b. Award of Distinction, which demonstrates outstanding achievement in all criteria and has a significant impact at the national or regional level;

c. Award of Merit, which demonstrates superior achievement in all criteria;

d. Special Recognition for Sustainable Development, which demonstrates noteworthy achievement in all criteria and has a significant impact in contributing to sustainable development.

(See ‘What are we looking for’ page for further information on the Awards Criteria)

 

New Design in Heritage Contexts Category 

Established in 2005, the Awards for New Design in Heritage Contexts (previously known as the Jury Commendation for Innovation), recognizes newly-built structures that demonstrate outstanding design well-integrated into historic contexts.

The projects are being assessed on two main areas of achievement: contextual design and the sustainability and impact.

The levels of achievement are as follows:

a. Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts, which demonstrate outstanding achievement in all criteria;

b. Special Recognition for Sustainable Development, which demonstrates noteworthy achievement in all criteria and has a significant impact in contributing to sustainable development.

(See ‘What are we looking for’ page for further information on the Awards Criteria)

 

Special Recognition for Sustainable Development

Culture is a driver and an enabler for achieving sustainable development. The Award-winning projects are real-life exemplars of how the principles of sustainable development can mutually reinforce the practice of heritage conservation at the local, national and regional levels. They show how heritage is a pillar of sustainable development, while a sustainable development perspective can lend depth, complexity and relevance to heritage endeavors.

From 2020, UNESCO introduced the Special Recognition for Sustainable Development to showcase conservation or new design projects that have a significant impact in contributing to sustainable development.

 

Selection Process and Prize 

The Award-winning projects are selected from entries that have been submitted to UNESCO Bangkok every year by a Jury composed of 5 to 7 international conservation experts appointed by UNESCO. 

Award-winning projects will receive one bronze plaque and a certificate of recognition (multiple certificates will be provided upon request).

To apply for the Awards, please access: https://bangkok.unesco.org/content/apply-awards

Download Awards Brochure below.

 

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