NOVEMBER 16, 2023 — UTSA’s dedication to preserving the structural and spiritual integrity of historic religious sites has garnered national acclaim. The National Trust for Historic Preservation honored the UTSA Center for Cultural Sustainability (CCS) with the prestigious Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award for 2023.
William Dupont, San Antonio Conservation Society Endowed Professor and CCS director, spearheaded the acclaimed project, titled “Historic Houses of Worship and Disaster Aftermath, a Toolkit to Increase Resilience.” The study offers comprehensive strategies for safeguarding heritage buildings, particularly houses of worship, against the escalating threats of climate change and other disasters.
“Dr. Dupont and the Center for Cultural Sustainability are committed to supporting people and communities,” said Eric Brey, interim dean of the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design at UTSA. “This award and their work on the preservation of historic religious sites is a testament to their respect for heritage and understanding of the values that bind our communities together.”
William Dupont spearheaded the acclaimed project, titled “Historic Houses of Worship and Disaster Aftermath, a Toolkit to Increase Resilience.”
The Toolkit to Increase Resilience is a multipurpose guide that helps people evaluate the resilience of every aspect of a building — from structural components like roofs and foundations to movable cultural artifacts such as artwork and manuscripts. The CCS has a people-centered approach to research, so the toolkit provides guidance on ways to enhance resilience without spending money on physical alterations — instead focusing on increasing the capacity of congregations to prepare and respond.
It outlines practical steps for enhancing disaster resilience, distinguishing between tasks manageable by community members and those requiring professional intervention.
The toolkit includes a Resilience Roadmap, which provides a procedural manual for faith communities, guiding them in fortifying their buildings against the adverse effects of climate events. This roadmap offers a prioritization framework for interventions and includes practical tips on essential maintenance and helpful advice for engaging professionals. Even potential funding sources are reviewed, including state and federal preservation tax incentives.
Dupont accepted the Driehaus Award on behalf of UTSA’s 14-person research team at an award ceremony, which opened the 2023 PastForward National Preservation Conference this month. Described by the National Trust as a celebration of the "best of the best in preservation projects across the country," the Driehaus Award recognizes the transformative impact of the UTSA School of Architecture and Planning's work on communities and their cultural legacies.
“The imperative for resilience against increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters is one of the great challenges for architects and planners in the 21st century,” Dupont said. “We need tools to address the resilience of heritage, especially the heritage of sacred places treasured by their communities, because resilience has little meaning without the inclusion of people.”
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Join us for Coffee with Vets, a casual social event where veterans can come together, connect, and share camaraderie over a cup of coffee. This is a perfect opportunity to unwind, meet fellow veterans, and build community in a welcoming and relaxed environment.
Veteran Lounge (JPL 4.03.04,) John Peace Library, Main CampusStop by to ask questions or learn about how you can become involved in Wellbeing Services events and programs.
Window Lounge (SU1.02.00C,) Student Union, Main CampusArt of Wellbeing is a weekly workshop provided by Wellbeing Services! Join us as we use different art mediums each week as a way to improve our overall wellbeing!
Magnolia Room (SU2.01.30,) Student Union, Main CampusNeed a Job/Internship? Connect with employers from different industries looking to fill their opportunities. This event is the perfect chance to start building your career path!
H-E-B BallroomsIn this Intro to Python workshop, attendees will be introduced to digital humanities projects that use Python. Participants will explore how Python can support digital projects by its versatility.
Group Spot B, John Peace LibraryDon’t mind the writing but hate formatting citations and bibliographies? Working on your thesis or dissertation, or even a long paper this semester? Citation managers such as Zotero® can help you store and organize the citations you find during your research.
Virtual Event (Zoom)Join UTSA Libraries and Museums to learn more about the publishing discounts available for UTSA researchers. Current agreements include Elsevier, Cambridge University Press, Wiley, and more. Bring your questions and feedback for the library as we continue to pursue partnerships with publishers to reduce costs for our researchers.
Virtual Event (Zoom)The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.