The Chair creates a focal point for research in the challenging field of heritage conservation, development and governance. As part of the Faculty of Environmental Design, the Chair benefits from the synergy created by the associated departments which cover a range of conservation-related disciplines: architecture, landscape architecture and urban studies. This interdisciplinary context is further enhanced by the presence within the Faculty of the UNESCO Chair in Landscape and Environment.

The Chair is linked to the Faculty's M.A. and Ph.D. programmes in environmental design. It also benefits from the programme M.Sc.A en Aménagement, option Conservation of the built environment (CEB), a programme that is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach to conservation issues.

Situated in a city with a wealth and diversity of built heritage, the Chair draws on the considerable human and documentary resources of four universities as well as the Canadian Centre for Architecture. The landscapes and cultural heritage of Montreal provide a living laboratory to test cutting-edge theoretical models of conservation practice.

The Chair seeks to stimulate a dialogue at the local, national and international level on the complex issues of conservation and development of built heritage.