IHBC Yearbook 2022

R E V I E W A N D A N A L Y S I S 15 WELCOME MIKE BROWN, IHBC PRESIDENT W ELCOME TO the IHBC Yearbook , now in its 22nd wonderful year. Within its pages you will find a comprehensive guide to the world of heritage conservation, including a directory of members, associates, affiliates and supporters, our HESPR members, articles on topical conservation issues including ‘Heritage on the Edge’ - our theme for the Aberdeen Annual School, useful national and local addresses and details of many valuable conservation products and services. I would be remiss not to offer my congratulations to the IHBC itself in its Silver Jubilee year. Do raise a glass to all who have served her over the years and join me in wishing it continued success into the future. As I write Covid restrictions have been lifted, spring is in the air, and there was hope of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly, that optimism has been shattered by events in Ukraine which have so amply demonstrated the deep flaws in human nature and the merciless corruption of unaccountable old men in power. The loss of lives on both sides remains uncountable, millions are displaced and, judging from our TV pictures, the destruction of towns and cities in eastern and coastal Ukraine is all but complete. We have, of course been here before; the historic parallels bleak in their transparency. And, just as before, once peace is finally restored, it will be the work of a whole generation to clear the rubble and rebuild their land. I have no doubt that the people of Ukraine will rise to that challenge too. That reconstruction will also present new opportunities. Along with our humanitarian concerns, members of our profession will also hope to see damaged historic buildings conserved and lost ones restored, just as Warsaw, Dresden, Hamburg, Liverpool, Stalingrad and so many other towns and cities rose from the ashes of WWII. Perhaps, as before, new churches, civic buildings and memorials will be commissioned that promote a brighter, more secure and, maybe, thoughtful future. However, the pressure will be on to rapidly build homes so that the many millions of refugees can come home. In that urgency, let us hope that some of the lessons of the post- war house-building booms – whether in east or west Europe – are not forgotten. Having visited both Russia and Ukraine, my personal hope would be to see the worst of the grim statist blocks of flats swept away and replaced with new greener and more sustainable homes built along better urban design principles, following traditional local architectural distinctiveness and on an altogether more human scale. I think the phrase is ‘build back better’. The Ukrainians will need all of our continued support in that endeavour just as much as they have needed our support in the defence of their independence. No doubt some will argue that we cannot afford to support such a ‘utopian’ reconstruction. But that would not be good enough. In my view it would be the reconstruction of low-quality unsustainable buildings that would be truly unaffordable. Perhaps a new Marshall plan is called for that will deliver the resources and expertise needed? In any event the skill sets of IHBC members and our colleagues across the continent will have an important role to play in delivering essential conservation and regeneration work. But right now, as I write this column, the shelling goes on and fragile peace negotiations are being conducted in an atmosphere of distrust. In times like this I often turn for solace, not to religion or wine, but to songs. As Nick Lowe reminded us in similarly cynical and distressing times, ‘What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding?’ Mike Brown is IHBC President (president@ihbc.org.uk ), Director of Conservation & Design Ltd and head of the conservation service at East Herts District Council. Kiev’s National Bank of Ukraine before the war (Wiki Commons)