You are cordially invited to the guest lecture entitled ‘Landscape Heritage in Palestine: A General Overview of the Current Status of Cultural Heritage and Assets in Palestine”, generously offered by Shireen Allan, a cultural studies researcher from Jerusalem, Palestine, and organised by the Urban Design and Landscape Architecture Department.
Date: Monday, November 24, 2025
Time: 16.00-17.00 [Turkish Time- GMT+3]
Room: FFB22
Online / Onsite Lecture
Abstract:
The Palestinian cultural heritage is remarkably diverse, encompassing religious and historical sites as well as ancient urban centers, yet it faces systematic destruction due to occupation policies and a geographic landscape shaped by a settler-colonial regime. Most archaeological sites lie in Area C, which constitutes about 60% of the West Bank, part of what remains of historic Palestine, of which the West Bank represents only 21%. Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has suffered unprecedented destruction affecting nearly 300 heritage sites, while the West Bank is witnessing ongoing alteration, seizure, and Judaization of its cultural landmarks. This reality threatens Palestinian identity and demands urgent documentation, protection, and restoration efforts.
About the speaker:
Shireen Allan, ICOMOS Palestine member, is an Expert Member of both the ICOMOS International Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH) and the OCD-RBA work group. She has made significant contributions to documentation and advocacy. Shireen focuses on preserving Palestinian traditions, empowering communities, and documenting cultural heritage. Her recent research and reports during the ongoing genocidal war have provided critical evidence of heritage destruction and violations, becoming key references for media and international actors. Shireen holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Preservation, and her academic research explores the role of cultural heritage in sustainable development, underscoring its importance in understanding and preserving human activities within their environmental context.