Urban Warfare and Cultural Heritage: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives

One of the byproducts of the inexorable rise of urbanization is the urbanization of armed conflicts. Such a dynamic is causing devastating consequences to civilian population, hospitals, schools, infrastructures, and cultural heritage. After having secured a thorough definition of "urban warfare", still lacking in international law, this paper will focus on the protection of urban cultural heritage, which is often targeted as specific military object or transformed into battlegrounds. The analysis will set out to outline innovative and concrete solutions to contrast this scenario, particularly through a reassessment of the relevant international and national regulations. It will also explore effective ways to strengthen accountability mechanisms, thereby contributing to guaranteeing deterrent effects to future violations. Particular attention will be placed on the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over armed attacks against urban cultural heritage. Lastly, the role of relevant international and regional organizations will be analyzed, with a view to propose pioneering practices, such as the establishment of a permanent annual forum for cooperation on this matter.