Local perspectives on heritage reconstruction after conflict: a public opinion survey of Aleppo

This article focuses on the case study of Aleppo and documents the results of an original public opinion survey of 1,600 residents on how they value their heritage, how they perceive its destruction, whether they view reconstruction as a priority, and the extent to which they support foreign efforts to rebuild. The results hold several implications for heritage projects in Aleppo, namely that locals prefer that heritage reconstruction: not be privileged over security, development and peace; includes the rebuilding of their local religious sites as much as significant non-religious sites; transforms sites into more useful structures for the community; and they want domestic control and agency over the future of their heritage.

Title: Local perspectives on heritage reconstruction after conflict: a public opinion survey of Aleppo
Author: Benjamin Isakhan, Lynn Meskell
Published by: International Journal of Heritage Studies
Date: April 2024
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