Heritage valorisation as a catalyst for ecosystemic shifts in cities and regions: comparing approaches across Europe

Description

In addition to being an integral part of the cultural and aesthetic landscape, heritage also serves as a vector for developing new urban spaces and integrating policies across different sectors. For instance, it can be used to address flood risk and stimulate local economies. There has been a growing realisation that heritage encompasses both landscapes and buildings. It also includes stories, past practices, and intangible values. Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of a clear understanding of how this concept and its role can be applied to different contexts.
This research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how heritage is being valorised in different planning contexts. It also explores the various planning tools that are used to carry out this process. The study draws on the lessons learned from the Interreg WaVE project, which involved the study of five case studies, including those from Denmark, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Building on a variety of methods, such as interviews, site visits, stakeholders workshops and policy documents analysis, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of how heritage is being valorised in different planning contexts.
The paper proposes a new typology of approaches that can be used to valorise heritage. The dimensions covered in the typology include the flexibility of the protection of heritage, the degree to which it is integrated with other policies, activeness of the participation of citizens, and the degree to which the policy is place-based. The paper also explores trends across these dimensions. The typology can provide a multi-dimensional view of how natural and cultural heritage is handled in planning. It also acts as a framework for exchanging knowledge and conducting comparative research to promote the valorisation of heritage as a vector for urban sustainability and ecosystemic change.

Period	12 Jul 2023
Event title	35th AESOP Annual Congress 2023
Event type	Conference
Location	Łódź, PolandShow on map