Briefing: Engineering history and heritage of the twentieth century

While history and heritage tend to be associated with ‘old’, perhaps meaning several hundred years and possibly more, in terms of building conservation it is important to understand the changes in construction materials and form that have taken place during the past hundred years, a period when ‘tall’ buildings have become truly tall, bridges have continued to break records in terms of span and tunnel construction has developed to allow a proliferation of infrastructure below increasingly crowded urban streets. The significance of a number of buildings and other structures from the twentieth century has been recognised by their statutory designation and several are included on the World Heritage List. For much of the twentieth century, there was also increasing interest in the protection of more modern buildings and in dissemination of information to stimulate growing public awareness and involvement. There is a correspondingly important role for engineers in addressing the challenges posed by their conservation and extending their life. The paper concludes with the hope that the discussion about ‘modern’ structures, their conservation and re-purposing will continue and that the boundaries of engineering and construction history will continue to move to include the twentienth century and, in due course, beyond.