The continual loss and neglect of historic buildings and areas is due to many
factors. Among the most important are the inadequacy of existing legislation and the
inability of institutions to protect the built heritage. I do not only mean the protection
from the threat of demolition and decay, but also the readiness to promote change in
order to contribute to socio-economic development. Therefore, conservation
strategies should establish appropriate legislative and administrative frameworks to
guide conservation initiatives, otherwise, the continuing lack of a legislative strategy
will remain a problem.

Palestine is in the process of defining itself as a nation. In this process its built
heritage plays an important role in that it embodies its culture and traditions and is an
important part of its cultural identity. At present Palestine's built heritage is largely
neglected and parts of it are being lost every day. The absence of public awareness of
the values of its historic heritage leads to detrimental interventions into historic
buildings and areas.
There are many factors which affect the way in which a society relates to its built
heritage. One of these factors is the rules and procedures which govern the relations
between citizens and their built heritage. The thesis addresses this issue in the
context that the present legislative structure for conservation in Palestine is the
product of laws issued by the successive powers that occupied Palestine in the last
centuries and, what is more important, Palestine is currently reviewing its whole
legislation and administration structures.
The aim of the thesis is to pave the way for the establishment of a legislative and
administrative framework that would underpin a conservation strategy for Gaza,
Palestine.

The research starts by surveying the literature in the field of study to determine
the different principles and attitudes within the current conservation discourse,
placing special emphasis on legislation for the conservation of historic buildings and
areas.

An analysis of the current Palestinian legislative and institutional systems is
followed by an appraisal of the city itself and its built heritage.
Two case studies of cities which are in some ways comparable to Gaza, the cities
of Jeddah and Cairo, are analysed in some detail. The findings are used as a means to
compare and evaluate conservation strategies for the city of Gaza.
The study concludes by recommending a comprehensive conservation legislation
model which would function within a local and national legislative frameworks,
would have clear aims relevant to a particular place, and enable an administrative
framework capable of efficiently implementing conservation initiatives.