OUTCOMES
The development of a Glossary of selected terms is proposed as a means to articulate and evoke these concepts, serving as a tool for reading dissonant heritage. The glossary is not intended to be exhaustive, nor does it introduce neologisms; rather, it brings together well-established terms in the field of heritage conservation whose meanings have evolved, become layered over time, and in some cases have even been updated in their formulations, thereby significantly influencing guidelines and approaches to the safeguarding of cultural heritage. It is therefore imperative that these terms are employed in a clear and consistent manner throughout the project.
The definitions of the terms are primarily drawn from authoritative reference works (Charters, Recommendations, Declarations, Manuals, Glossaries) published by internationally recognized organizations active in heritage conservation and protection (UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM, IUCN, UNDRR and the Getty Research Institute). These are complemented by studies considered milestones in Dissonant Heritage research, conducted both by individual scholars and by international bodies (e.g., the Urban Agenda Action Group on Dissonant Heritage, Contested Histories). Each term is associated with one or more definitions, depending on its complexity and the diversity of its references, which are presented in chronological order. The “Related sources” field introduces additional references that address closely related themes. Furthermore, notes marked with the Co.Co.War logo indicate how certain terms are conceptualized and operationalized within the research and field activities. These notes reflect both the Co.Co.War project’s perspective and its contribution to the contemporary scientific research on dissonant heritage.
The Co.Co.War Atlas is conceived as the first systematic compilation of identification (ID) sheets documenting cases of dissonant and contested heritage, structured both semantically and geographically, and compiled over the duration of the project (from late 2022 to early 2026). It establishes a tailored knowledge base focused on Dissonant Heritage (DH) and on strategies for managing it, serving as the foundation for the project’s activities. By nature, the Atlas collects information but does not merely constitute a descriptive or analytical exercise; rather, it gives concrete expression to an evidence-based methodology that complements the theoretical framework of Dissonant Heritage studies with an operational perspective. The Atlas is grounded in the assumption that heritage is unique and site-specific – shaped by social, political, cultural, environmental, ethnic, and religious dynamics – and closely intertwined with local communities and stakeholders. Accordingly, it does not assume that management approaches derived from real-world practice can be applied uniformly across contexts. Instead, it supports an understanding of the scale and scope of dissonance, raises awareness of heritage sensitivities, facilitates the analysis of ongoing and potential cultural processes, encourages value-oriented actions, and contributes to the development of a DH community and new collaborative networks. It is intended for Co.Co.War research units as well as for scholars, professionals, and practitioners working with built heritage and sites in contexts marked by active or latent conflict. The static format of the Atlas is augmented by the GeoApp, an interactive project tool developed in synergy with it.
The “Related sources” field introduces additional references that address closely related themes. Furthermore, notes marked with the Co.Co.War logo indicate how certain terms are conceptualized and operationalized within the research and field activities. These notes reflect both the Co.Co.War project’s perspective and its contribution to the contemporary scientific research on dissonant heritage.
The Handbook Managing Dissonant Heritage is a practical and conceptual guide developed within the Co.Co.War project to support the management of dissonant heritage. It offers guidelines that focus in particular on conservation and communication processes related to built heritage and sites. Particular attention is given to cases involving architecture, landscapes, and built environments that still carry a sense of friction between the values of today’s democratic society and their former meanings. The Handbook is conceptually anchored in the idea that this type of heritage can be addressed without the unrealistic ambition of fully resolving dissonance; instead, by understanding and framing it, heritage practices can support a process of negotiation with the past, create a liminal space for dialogue, and foster relationships among divided and divergent communities, thus paving the way for long-term reconciliation.
The Community Toolkit is a methodological resource developed within the Co.Co.War research project, which focuses on the conservation and communication of architectural heritage associated with war, conflict, and contested memory. Rather than offering prescriptive solutions or standardized participatory models, the Toolkit provides a critical framework to support professionals and researchers working in contexts marked by dissonant, traumatic, or conflictual heritage. Its primary aim is to help navigate the ethical, epistemological, and relational complexities that arise when engaging communities around difficult legacies. The Toolkit is grounded in the understanding that dissonant heritage cannot be addressed solely through technical expertise or generic participation methods. Dissonance emerges from layered perceptions, memories, silences, power relations, and mediations that influence how heritage is interpreted, negotiated, rejected, or avoided. Responding to these dynamics requires not only appropriate tools, but also a coherent methodological logic that determines when and how engagement occurs, what kinds of knowledge are produced, and how risks are identified and managed throughout the process.
To address these needs, the document is structured around two interdependent components: the Community Toolkit and the Community Process Diagram (CPD). The Toolkit consists of a structured repertoire of tools designed to facilitate dialogue, observation, mapping, and interaction with communities. The CPD provides a sequenced and reflexive methodological framework that governs the activation and combination of these tools. Together, they form a single methodological system: without the CPD, the Toolkit risks becoming a decontextualized set of techniques; without the Toolkit, the CPD remains an abstract structure without operational capacity. Importantly, the Toolkit’s tools are not neutral or universally applicable. Each embodies specific assumptions about interaction, agency, and interpretation, shaping relationships with communities and generating ethical and emotional implications. Consequently, the Toolkit is conceived as a flexible, modular resource, encouraging the careful selection, adaptation, or exclusion of tools based on research objectives, contextual conditions, and identified sensitivities.
