#2 Living deserts and the art of conservation

Show notes

New cities in Egypt, built from scratch in the middle of the desert, might suggest that the deserts are merely empty spaces ready for expansion and construction. But that is not the case, says Vanessa Lehmann, who works on the implications of these mega construction projects in Egypt. Conservation of ancient sites against the threats of climate change, on the other hand, reflects the responsibility we have towards buildings and structures that are hundreds and thousands years old, says Ilaria Trivelloni, the archaeologist. Both agree, that a respectful approach both to landscapes and ancient buildings are crucial in the Anthropocene.