What is the Heritage at Risk Programme?

The Heritage at Risk Programme (HAR) was launched in 2008, as a way of understanding the overall state of Grenada's historic sites. In particular, the programme identifies those sites that are most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Grenada National Library and Archives, building

at risk added to the 2004 Heritage at Risk Register

The important process of systemically checking the condition of our heritage goes back more than two decades with the birth of the the Buildings at Risk survey. The method has since been adapted to serve other types of historic artifacts and places (heritage assets) from archaeological sites and conservation areas to registered parks and gardens, registered battlefields, and protected shipwrecks.

The end result is a dynamic picture of the health of the country's heritage. Every year Grenada Heritage updates the Heritage at Risk Register, which is a list of those sites most at risk of being lost, and most in need of safeguarding for the future.

Why Is It important?

People regularly say how much the historic character of where they live, work and play makes a contribution to their lives. As public and private finance remains scarce, it is essential that everyone continues to focus on those heritage assets that are at greatest risk and that offer the best opportunities for positively managed change.

At risk evidence tells communities about the condition of their local neighbourhood; it encourages them to become actively involved in restoring what is precious to them; and it reassures them that any public funding goes to the most needy and urgent cases. The benefits of collecting data on places at risk will become even more important as public spending continues to diminish.

Buildings at Risk has proved that the Register works - over half of Grenada's grade I and II* buildings and structural scheduled monuments at risk on the 1999 Register have since had their future secured.

Regularly reviewing and updating our assessments of heritage assets allows us to pinpoint trends and explore why change is happening and how we can bring about more positive change in the future.

What Does the Programme Include?

Since 2008 Grenada Heritage has built up an understanding of the condition and management of historic documents and manuscripts, artifacts, buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites.

In 2011 we published findings on the Industrial Heritage at Risk project which examined the state of Grenada's industrial heritage and the factors that put these sites at risk.

As well as carrying out surveys on condition and management, Grenada Heritage also does social and economic research to understand the value of heritage.