The life cycle approach as an innovative methodology for the recovery and restoration of cultural heritage

The debate on sustainable development and assessment of products, processes, or technologies is normally seen as encompassing three dimensions of impact: social, environmental, and economic. The central concept regards meeting the needs of present generations without jeopardising the rights and opportunities of future generations, in accordance with principles of intra and inter-generational equity. It involves moving from a development model based on consumption and waste of natural resources to a society that uses resources to face and solve today's enormous environmental problems. Presently, this represents one of the major challenges in the management of Cultural Heritage. The main goal of this paper is to develop a new approach to the restoration, conservation, and management processes of cultural heritage, based on the criteria of sustainability. For this purpose a Life Cycle Management protocol was developed, integrating these processes with tools to assess environmental, economic, and social impact.