GTU Scientists Conduct Research to Develop Mechanisms for Protecting Historical Monuments in Racha-Lechkhumi and Tbilisi
27-08-2025
A group of scientists from the Institute of Hydrometeorology of the Georgian Technical University is working on a grant project titled “Development of a methodology for mechanisms for the long-term protection of historical and architectural heritage under climate change conditions.” Their research focuses on identifying the causes of degradation of historical monuments in Racha-Lechkhumi and Tbilisi. The scientists aim to develop mechanisms for long-term protection. Throughout the work process, they strictly maintain the authenticity and preservation of the monuments’ original appearance.
The scientific director of the project “Development of a methodology for mechanisms for the long-term protection of historical and architectural heritage under climate change conditions” is Natela Dzebisashvili, a senior scientist at the Institute of Hydrometeorology. To ensure an interdisciplinary approach, chemists, ecologists, geographers, material scientists, and restorers from the same institute are involved in the research: Nugzar Buachidze, Lela Ninoshvili, Elene Shapakidze, and Darejan Dughashvili. The group of Georgian scientists is consulted by Professor Oliver Sass of the University of Bayreuth, who has extensive experience in research on the factors of degradation and rehabilitation of cultural heritage monuments.
According to the scientific director of the project, two regions with different climatic conditions have been selected for the study, namely Racha-Lechkhumi (Nikortsminda, Barakoni) and Tbilisi (Sioni, Anchiskhati). As Natela Dzebisashvili notes, priority is given to monuments that are of special historical and cultural value and, at the same time, are in a more or less vulnerable state.
“The negative consequences of anthropogenic impact on cultural heritage are clearly visible both in the highland regions of our country and in the urban environment. For example, the Shaori reservoir, built in the 1950s in Racha-Lechkhumi, has significantly changed the local microclimate, while monuments in large cities and industrial areas are experiencing severe pressure as a result of the combined influence of both climatic and intensive anthropogenic factors. It is worth emphasizing that the degradation of monuments harms the cultural self-awareness of the population, leads to the loss of historical memory and tourist interest, which ultimately affects the socio-economic situation. The project aims to raise public awareness, which will contribute to greater responsibility for monuments and involvement in local initiatives. It is planned to create recommendations and a manual that will help both local and international specialists. The main question is - what steps should be taken at the national policy level to address this problem? Our answer is this - it is necessary to introduce a preventive protection system, strengthen scientific monitoring, effectively enforce regulations, harmonize with international standards, involve the public and raise their awareness,” says Natela Dzebisashvili.
The methodology and recommendations developed by the project will be applied both in new restoration strategies and in preventive protection measures for monuments, including humidity control, the use of sorbents and others.
The scientific director of the project “Development of a methodology for mechanisms for the long-term protection of historical and architectural heritage under climate change conditions” is Natela Dzebisashvili, a senior scientist at the Institute of Hydrometeorology. To ensure an interdisciplinary approach, chemists, ecologists, geographers, material scientists, and restorers from the same institute are involved in the research: Nugzar Buachidze, Lela Ninoshvili, Elene Shapakidze, and Darejan Dughashvili. The group of Georgian scientists is consulted by Professor Oliver Sass of the University of Bayreuth, who has extensive experience in research on the factors of degradation and rehabilitation of cultural heritage monuments.
According to the scientific director of the project, two regions with different climatic conditions have been selected for the study, namely Racha-Lechkhumi (Nikortsminda, Barakoni) and Tbilisi (Sioni, Anchiskhati). As Natela Dzebisashvili notes, priority is given to monuments that are of special historical and cultural value and, at the same time, are in a more or less vulnerable state.
“The negative consequences of anthropogenic impact on cultural heritage are clearly visible both in the highland regions of our country and in the urban environment. For example, the Shaori reservoir, built in the 1950s in Racha-Lechkhumi, has significantly changed the local microclimate, while monuments in large cities and industrial areas are experiencing severe pressure as a result of the combined influence of both climatic and intensive anthropogenic factors. It is worth emphasizing that the degradation of monuments harms the cultural self-awareness of the population, leads to the loss of historical memory and tourist interest, which ultimately affects the socio-economic situation. The project aims to raise public awareness, which will contribute to greater responsibility for monuments and involvement in local initiatives. It is planned to create recommendations and a manual that will help both local and international specialists. The main question is - what steps should be taken at the national policy level to address this problem? Our answer is this - it is necessary to introduce a preventive protection system, strengthen scientific monitoring, effectively enforce regulations, harmonize with international standards, involve the public and raise their awareness,” says Natela Dzebisashvili.
The methodology and recommendations developed by the project will be applied both in new restoration strategies and in preventive protection measures for monuments, including humidity control, the use of sorbents and others.
