Deschambault Charter for the Preservation of Quebec’s Heritage (1982)

2016-01-02 Sunney ORCP 0

Old Quebec within the walls, overlooking the St Lawrence River: a unified urban area that includes a diversity of uses and architectural styles. Old Quebec, a historic district of Quebec City, was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1985. At that time it was characterized as “the cradle of the French civilization in America”, a “fortified city” and “always animated”. As the administrative centre of New France, governing a territory that spanned almost a third of North America, the city of Quebec served as headquarters for civil, judicial and religious governance under the French regime. Despite attacks, battles, regime changes and the ups and downs of economic life, Quebec City has maintained its role as capital, preserved its vitality or restored it during more difficult times, and protected and developed its heritage. Because the people living and working there consider its heritage to be their own, Old Quebec is an excellent example of a living urban heritage environment that continues to evolve.

Preface: The Deschambault Charter for the Preservation of Quebec’s Heritage was adopted by the ICOMOS Canada French-Speaking Committee, April, 1982.

The Deschambault Charter defines the special nature of Quebec’s heritage and outlines principles for the preservation of Quebec’s material culture, geographic and human environments. The broad definition, which looks not only at the material culture but also at human adaptations to the natural environment, sees cultural landscapes (the result of the interactions of people and nature) as part of the heritage to be protected. Conservation efforts are to be directed at preventing deterioration and destruction of the national heritage. The Charter encourages maintenance of up-to-date inventories and the use of specialized expertise. It also encourages assessment of the importance of the heritage and recommends that the “principles of protection and development of the national heritage must have primacy over all development plans”. Citizens are seen as the chief protectors of the heritage the public’s right to participate in decisions about national heritage is asserted. The Charter promotes continuous use of the heritage integrated into the social and economic life of the nation, with preference given to traditional use. The Charter encourages the dissemination of information about Quebec’s cultural heritage through the educational system and other means in order to make people aware of its value. Finally, it encourages the training of artisans, technicians and professionals.

Category
Charter

Date

1982

Promulgation

The ICOMOS Canada French-Speaking Committee, April, 1982.

Descriptions

  • It defines the special nature of Quebec’s heritage and outlines principles for the preservation of Quebec’s material culture, geographic and human environments. The broad definition, which looks not only at the material culture but also at human adaptations to the natural environment, sees cultural landscapes as part of the heritage to be protected. Conservation efforts are to be directed at preventing deterioration and destruction of the national heritage.
  • It encourages maintenance of up-to-date inventories and the use of specialized expertise. It also encourages assessment of the importance of the heritage and recommends that the “principles of protection and development of the national heritage must have primacy over all development plans”.
  • It promotes continuous use of the heritage integrated into the social and economic life of the nation, with preference given to traditional use.
  • It encourages the dissemination of information about Quebec’s cultural heritage through the educational system and other means in order to make people aware of its value.
  • It encourages the training of artisans, technicians and professionals.

Source

http://www.international.icomos.org/en/charters-and-texts/179-articles-en-francais/ressources/charters-and-standards/192-the-deschambault-charter

Download

 http://ocpm.qc.ca/sites/import.ocpm.aegirvps.net/files/pdf/PD04/3mEN.pdf

References

Intellectual Property

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I am currently a Professor of Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, China.

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