Preventative conservation and disaster management planning in cultural institutions

This thesis discusses disaster risk management planning in museum and cultural institutions in the larger cultural heritage sector. Disaster risk management for cultural heritage is a field that grew out of preventative conservation philosophies. By looking at the history of the field of disaster risk management planning for cultural heritage and its roots in preventative conservation, key elements for developing institutional disaster risk management plans are explored. The intertwined fields share common goals and principles for safeguarding cultural treasures. Using the principles for safeguarding collection material, the thesis explores recent guidelines found on the international, national, and institutional level. Through the comparison of the international and national guidelines on disaster risk management strategy in the cultural heritage sector, along with institutional guidelines, one can formulate essential strategic elements for the development and implementation of disaster risk management plans for cultural heritage institutions. Three key areas of communication, awareness, and plan development are discussed in the conclusion of the thesis.