Continuing research efforts in support of cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is one of the seven focus areas of the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP). The Focus Area Cultural Heritage (FACH) was launched to establish a vision for 2030, a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) and an Action Plan for its development and ECTP integration. Another aim of the initiative was to provide input for future European research programmes such as the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Overall objectives of the 'Priorities and strategies to support cultural heritage research activities within ECTP and future FP7 activities' (CHRAF) project were to support FACH activities in the area of cultural heritage research and its dissemination. Activities also focused on ECTP and FP7 coordination and integration. All efforts in these directions aimed at promoting relevant research for cultural heritage conservation and restoration, with a view to improving Europe’s attractiveness and the quality of life of its citizens. The CHRAF project had a number of objectives, which were all met through its work across four main categories. These were related to cultural heritage research priorities and strategies for integration, organising and coordinating FACH relative to other ECTP focus areas, promoting the information exchange and results dissemination of cultural heritage research within FP5 and FP6, and exploring the awareness, dissemination and exploitation of the FACH. CHRAF produced three updated and upgraded versions of a FACH SRA with ECTP implementation plans and recommendations for the synthesis of clear research priorities. Recommendations for the future structure of the FACH within the ECTP and relations with other forums and European platforms were realised. Project researchers launched a website and designed a leaflet to support dissemination activities. It also conducted an analysis of the impact of the FP5 and FP6 on cultural heritage–related projects, with recommendations offered for future activities. Partners mapped FP5 and FP6 cultural heritage projects, assessed their results, defined exploitation and dissemination plans and outlined information exchange activities. A major project result included participation in and preparation of dissemination activities for the 8th European Commission Conference on Cultural Heritage held in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
