Towards a comprehensive approach for the identification, evaluation, and management of historical and cultural resources in Jordan: 'Paradigm shift in conservation ideology

Research related to conservation of the natural and manmade environments is shifting towards a broader definition of the word "conservation." This new paradigm shift does not limit the domain of conservation to aesthetic preservation of cultural artifacts and historic monuments, or to a struggle for a better natural environment. The current approach to conservation looks upon the world as a global system which encompasses both natural and built environments. Under this broader conception of the world, conservation can be best defined as the "dynamic management of change" in order to ensure the well-being of humankind. Currently in Jordan, research in the area of conservation is often limited to historical analysis and architectural documentation of historical sites. In addition, management of the cultural heritage is restricted to rescue and salvage archaeology and does not address the conservation of the more recent and diverse cultural heritage.;The research adopted a multimethod approach through the incorporation of between-method triangulation to increase the internal validity of the study. The first method used was an exploration in the contexts and dynamics of heritage conservation in Jordan. This exploration took the form of an expedition (traveling workshop) and consisted of a field reconnaissance-level survey of post-1700 AD historical and cultural resources, public meetings and a one-day workshop, and a conservation questionnaire. The second method was a study of the evolution of conservation movements in different geographic and cultural contexts (United States, France, and Egypt). The main advantage of the multimethod approach was not the quantity of data it provided, but rather the data's diversity and the opportunities for comparison that this diversity afforded.;The outcome of this research is to suggest a comprehensive-regional approach for the identification, evaluation, and management of historical and cultural resources in Jordan; taking into consideration local culture, values, dynamics, and context. This research goes beyond being an intellectual exercise or an advocacy to save monumental and appealing architecture; it is a rhetorical argument (a scientific, methodological, and historical argument), based on maximizing the voices of authority and understanding the key players in conservation in Jordan to build a broader understanding of Jordanian local, national, and place identities.