8 July. One hundred and twenty days after an earthquake and tsunami devastated Chile, Antonino Pirozzi (President of CICOP-Chile) gives an overview of the damage sustained by the country's built heritage.

Though a final assessment of the destruction is far from over, Pirozzi offers a brief critical evaluation of the immediate response to the disaster, as well as some of the lessons learnt in this initial phase. Highlighted is the need for training in emergency response, specifically for built heritage. There is a need for better organization and coordination between institutions, and for effective maintenance and preventive policies.

An essential issue raised is the importance of construction materials, notably earthen architecture, and their behaviour during seismic movements. The lessons and the challenges that still lie ahead will be discussed in the forthcoming X Congreso Internacional de Rehabilitación del Patrimonio Arquitectónico y Edificación, which will take place in Santiago de Chile in early November 2010.

updated on: 8 July, 2010