Jonathan Bell

Cultural Heritage as a Tool for Change

Please join us for an evening lecture by Dr. Jonathan S. Bell, Vice President of Programs at World Monuments Fund.

Cultural heritage is often presented as an asset to be protected and promoted only for its intrinsic values. Far less often are heritage places and the broad field of historic preservation that serves them seen as essential tools to address global challenges that threaten them and their associated communities. This talk will consider a selection of heritage conservation projects and associated strategies of World Monuments Fund that underscore the relevance of cultural heritage for our world today, tapping into mainstream societal concerns and interests. From post-conflict recovery to climate adaptation and economic development to inclusive planning and protection, heritage places can serve as catalysts, anchors, and focal points to enhance and strengthen communities.

Dr. Bell oversees the World Monuments Fund’s entire portfolio of cultural heritage projects around the globe and contributes broadly to the field of preservation through professional engagement. In addition to being the Vice President of Programs at the World Monuments Fund, Dr. Bell has worked with the Getty Conservation Institute on World Heritage Sites in China and Egypt, evaluated cultural site management from Kazakhstan to Colombia, and overseen strategic planning for largescale flood infrastructure with the County of Los Angeles. He serves on multiple international professional scientific committees and sits on editorial boards for two academic journals. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University, a D.E.A from the Sorbonne in France, an M.Sc. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from UCLA.