Protection of Cultural Heritage and Strategic Environmental Assessment in Serbia

Abstract

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was introduced in the Republic of Serbia in the year 2004. After a decade of the Implementation SEA represents an integral part within planning and the environmental management process. The basic framework – methodological and procedural is given by the Law on Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Republic of Serbia, which do mandate an impact assessment also to the cultural heritage and, as well determining the measures that adverse effects may be prevented, reduced and eliminated. The paper gives an overview of the current framework within the SEA, with particular reference to the role of this instrument within the process of management and protection of the cultural heritage. In addition, the paper elaborates the state within the information database within SEA in RS, particularly to what extent is established the monitoring system of information and data within SEA studies, when it comes to cultural heritage conservation. As one of the conclusions, the paper stresses the indirect effect of the SEA within the formation of an information database within the country's cultural heritage authorities and institutions involved in the SEA. This refers, primarily, to updating of the existing information database while still is missing adequate transmission of the information within SEA process regarding cultural heritage situation and conservation.