Inventories and Surveys for Heritage Management: Lessons for the Digital Age

David Myers and Janet Hansen 

This open-access publication provides essential guidance on digital inventories and surveys for the identification, conservation, and management of heritage places.

A critical first step in the conservation of cultural heritage is to identify and understand the places we want to protect. Inventories and surveys are essential tools in this effort, and their use in managing national, regional, and local heritage is mandated in heritage-related legislation across the globe. Despite the widespread understanding of the importance of inventories and surveys, however, practical, up-to-date guidance on how they should be created, implemented, and maintained has been substantially lacking—until now.  

This publication draws from the Getty Conservation Institute’s ongoing work with heritage inventories and on the Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources’ experience with SurveyLA. It provides technical advice, guidance, and lessons learned for employing inventories and surveys as tools for heritage conservation and management.

The free online edition of this open-access publication is available at www.getty.edu/publications/inventories-and-surveys/. Also available are free PDF and EPUB downloads of the book. 

David Myers is a senior project specialist at the Getty Conservation Institute. Janet Hansen is former deputy manager, Office of Historic Resources, Los Angeles Department of City Planning.

“The book seamlessly integrates praxis with relevant theoretical frameworks, principles, and guidelines. It equips readers with a diverse toolkit for the increasing use and implementation of digital methodologies in crafting comprehensive inventories and surveys of heritage sites. These foundational works serve as the basis for formulating effective management and conservation strategies crucial for conserving our cultural heritage assets. Moreover, it offers a systematic approach, precise terminology, and engagement tools tailored for community participation throughout the inventory process. Its methodologies are adaptable and accessible, catering to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including not-for-profit organizations, governmental bodies, policymakers, educators, and industry professionals engaged in heritage site identification. This universality facilitates producing adequate inventories for the safeguarding of heritage sites on a global scale. I am sure our community will adopt this work, recognizing its inherent potential and opportunities.”
—Mario Santana Quintero, honorary president ICOMOS/ISPRS CIPA Heritage Documentation and professor at Carleton University

“A perfect travel companion for those about to embark on the long and winding, but oh, so beautiful, road of Inventories and Surveys.”
—Leen Meganck, Head of Architectural Research, Flanders Heritage Agency, Belgium

“If we are to protect cultural heritage, we need to know what we are trying to protect and where it is. The authors have been grappling with these issues for many years, and they have set out an insightful, comprehensive, and thoughtful contribution to the debate. An essential read for all involved in protecting our heritage.”
—Peter G. Stone, UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace, and President, The Blue Shield  

160 pages
8 1/2 × 11 inches
57 color, 2 b/w illustrations, 6 tables
ISBN 978-1-60606-881-6
paperback

Getty Publications
Imprint: Getty Conservation Institute

2024