For this discussion, Living Heritage is characterized by the concept of “continuity”; in particular the
continuity of a heritage site’s original function or ‘the purpose for which they were originally intended’
and the continuity of community connections (continuity of a core community). In response to the changing
circumstances of the core community heritage places continue to evolve or change with added tangible and
intangible expressions (continuity of expressions). The core community is also responsible for the
continuous care of the heritage through traditional or established means (continuity of care). In this sense,
change is embraced as a part of the continuity or living nature of the heritage place, rather than something
which is to be mitigated or kept to a minimum. Based on recent research and field activities of ICCROM,
this paper will characterize ‘living heritage’ based on continuity and change as dominant concepts.
Conservation is therefore about managing continuity and change for which new decision making processes
has to be evolved.