Introduction‘Investing in Heritage –A Guide to

Successful Urban Regeneration’ Interreg 3C EAHTR - Approach 6 cities

19 case studies Lessons & Success factors www.inheritproject.org

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Objectives Explore in depth partner experience Identify processes and factors

leading to success Identify examples of good practice Evaluate EU regional policy Produce guidance for local and

regional authorities Transfer knowledge and experience

Value of Heritage

“Heritage belongs to everyone, and protecting and preserving the historic environment is a responsibility shared by every member of society.” (Swedish Heritage Conservation Act 1988)

“People value the historic environment as part of their cultural and natural heritage. It reflects the knowledge, beliefs and traditions of diverse communities, it gives distinctiveness, meaning and quality to the places in which we live, providing a sense of continuity and a source of identity. It is a social and economic asset and a resource for learning and enjoyment “

( English Heritage Conservation Principles, 2007 )

Defining Heritage Re-interpreted over time – broad

landscapes, buildings, collections Intangible – identity, tradition Language, literature & music

Intrinsic values Knowledge, identity, bequest, distinctiveness

Instrumental benefits Economic, area, community & individual

Historic past – recent events INHERIT focus principally built historic

environment

Newcastle

Newcastle - Context Population – 276K but hub of 1m metropolitan

region Roman origins – Norman settlement –medieval

street pattern Mining of coal from medieval times-emergence as

major industrial and shipbuilding centre in 19th Century

Substantial historic legacy -2000 listed buildings & 11 conservation areas

20th Cent industrial decline – followed by strategy of economic and heritage led regeneration

Case studies on Grainger town, Byker Estate and the Sandhill /Quayside area

Newcastle –Grainger Town Award winning project

35 hectares –comprehensive regeneration• Environmental improvements

• Business Development

• Housing

• Arts, culture and tourism

Grainger town public private partnership Characteristics

• LA leadership

• Heritage ‘audit’

• Clear overall vision

• Targets set and exceeded

Grainger Town-Benefits

Target Actual

Jobs created 1,900 2,300

Training weeks 5,400 5,100

New businesses 200 330

New floor-space 74K sq.m. 81K sq.m.

New dwellings 520 570

Buildings re-used 70 120

Public investment €59.5m €67m

Private investment €199m €288m

Grainger Town - The Lessons Learnt

A detailed heritage audit at the start of the process A coherent, yet flexible, strategy based on the historic

area’s strengths and weaknesses. Monitor and evaluate the strategic aims and objectives

against the re-generation themes and the goals & outputs

A defined structure- a company ‘limited by guarantee’ at arms length from the City Council - including local organisations, businesses and the community.

An ethos of quality and excellence in design through demonstration projects, informative and promotional handbooks, design guides and location marketing.

Raise aspirations by looking at other successful examples of best practice.

Newcastle - Byker

Newcastle - Byker 81 hectare Housing Estate -1969 to

1983 - Designed by Ralph Erskine 2010 dwellings - 9,500 people

-‘Problem estate’ Proposed demolition Conservation Plan

2002–special character Consultation-consensus Listed - architectural

& historic interest 2007

Newcastle – BykerLessons Learnt

Local People and children involved in plan production

Consensus established on ‘identity’ and ‘solution’ Innovative approach using range of techniques - meetings, walkabouts, questionnaires, tasks Don’t over consult

‘I’m sick of being empowered I just wish someone would get on and do something!’

Ubeda

Ubeda Population 34k – Andalucía region Founded 822 – 852 – UNESCO World

Heritage site 2003 Empty dwellings in poor repair, elderly

population, heavy traffic, under-use of open spaces and marginal and socially degraded areas.

Strong political leadership - Clear overall heritage strategy for regeneration

Objective 1 region – EU grants of €25m -overall cost of works €67m

Case studies focus on re - use of palaces, crafts training school and the public realm

Ubeda - Recovery of Public Spaces

23 squares, streets & public areas Comprehensive plan including: -

Public involvement Modernisation of

infrastructure Quality design & materials Political & technical

department Catalyst for regeneration

Ubeda – Escuela Taller Founded 1986 -

traditional craft skills Targeted at young

and/or ‘disadvantaged’

Over 1000 trained Co-operative companies

formed 70% ESF funded 80% integrated into local

economy

Ubeda Lessons Learnt

UNESCO status catalyst for political consensus &

strong leadership & Objective 1 funds critical to implementation

Comprehensive approach to investment in public realm delivers wider benefits Restoration of 68 houses leading to city centre

population increase of 3% Creation of 32 new businesses Enhanced social interaction and perceived quality of

life Increased awareness of City council activities

Involving citizens from beginning means that problems are known before final decisions taken - important to consult not just those directly affected

Training in craft skills important for creating capacity and interest in heritage by young people

Gdansk

Gdansk - ContextFounded 908 – castle town & portPopulation 458KHanseatic union of trading ports –

Poland’s international trade centreWorld War 2 – heavy bomb damage

– centre subsequently significantly rebuilt in the original style & uses

1970-80 Violent protest – creation of Solidarity and emergence of new map of eastern Europe

Gdansk - ContextObjective 1 status – upgrade water &

sewerage, public transport, road system and port infrastructure

13 priority areas selected for regeneration

INHERIT case studies cover the regeneration of Lower town, Stronghold Fort and the European Solidarity Centre

Gdansk European Solidarity Centre

Gdansk European Solidarity Centre

Significant historic location-70 hectares Workers’ protests took place “Solidarność” movement was born ‘August Agreements’ signed

€60m Centre for multi-cultural undertakings and international exchanges – forum for democratic development

Act as a catalyst to Regeneration of post shipyard ‘Young City’ Attract private investors as well as creating

cultural and art institutions

Special identity - central focus of public and political interest.

Gdansk European Solidarity Centre

Lessons Learnt The inspiration provided by recent cultural events

could form a flagship development project of importance

The importance of reflecting different needs and expectations of not only inhabitants but also eyewitnesses to the historic events to ensure both ‘ownership’ by the local community and authenticity

The opportunity such events can provide in terms of reinforcing cultural identity and pride of place

The crucial role of the local authority in promoting and implementing complex urban regeneration projects on this scale

The importance of attracting different sources of funding combining public, EU and private investment

Göteborg

Göteborg-Context Founded in 1621 as a fortified trading port - built by

Dutch engineers with moats, ramparts, walls and canals 18th and 19th century economy based on trade -

dominated by the Swedish East India Company Economy now based on knowledge and logistics Typical for Göteborg are the three storey ‘Governor’

buildings that were built between 1870 and 1940 –priority to worker housing

Objective 2 status –no use of EU funds in regeneration –more potential 2007 -13

Comprehensive city plan seeks to: - balance social, financial and environmental factors in order

to develop a viable long term sustainable city. develop the existing character of Göteborg as a city of

human scale, to enable a mix of old and new buildings double the size of the city centre and increase housing

density

Göteborg-Context Legal requirement to consult with

stakeholders as well as local community Aims to meet needs of citizens and be

successful internationally Character based on ‘common heritage’

including industrial past Case studies include

Examples of human scale living such at Haga People friendly pedestrian streets as at

Valgattan and New uses for key heritage buildings at

Gamlestaden Fabriker and Pedagogan

Göteborg- Haga

Göteborg- Pedagogen

Göteborg- Gamlestaden

Göteborg- GamlestadenImportant historic part of city -

modernisation and upgrading of a former industrial area

Heritage qualities of the site provided an appropriate context within which the creative industries prosper

60 tenants on the site and 4000 sq m of vacant floor space out of a total of 62,000

Göteborg- GamlestadenLessons learnt

Clear civic vision and phased delivery strategy that recognised the project’s reliance on the incremental availability of private finance

Value of public and private sector working together providing complementary conservation, design, funding and marketing skills

Importance of understanding the value and potential of the historic built fabric by carrying out a detailed inventory of the buildings’ qualities

Active involvement of tenants in shaping and managing the work environment providing a sense of ownership and commitment to the area

Role and importance of mixed uses and landscaping to create vitality and vibrancy helping ensure the area has a positive image and an attractive environment

Verona

Verona- Context Roman settlement – old centre with

mediaeval walls Fortifications by Venetians and Austrians UNESCO world heritage site – 452

hectares covering historic core World famous for opera & Romeo & Juliet City Council Strategic Plan – 2020 – uses

heritage as tool for regeneration Key issue identifying sustainable new

uses for major heritage sites and former Austrian military architecture

VeronaForte Gisella

Verona - Prusst

VeronaPalazzo Della Ragione

VeronaLessons Learnt

The total cost of the Palazzo Della Ragione project was € 18 million entirely funded by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Verona, Vicenza, Belluno e Ancona.

Foundation was created in 1991 as part implementation of the Amato-Carli Law to rationalise and privatise Italy's lending institutions.

Operates on a non-profit basis, in the public interest in several fields - art, culture, education, scientific research, healthcare and disadvantage

Belfast – context Capital Northern Ireland Population 277K – 800K in metropolitan

area 17th & 18th Centuries –Textile, Engineering

and Shipbuilding Little investment following World War 1 –

significant bombing World War 2 +30 years of ‘ troubles’ – urban

environment in urgent need of investment & regeneration

Objective 1 status +peace ‘dividend’ led to strong economy –now Objective 2

Belfast – Cultural quarters

Cultural heritage led regeneration strategy - 6.4m visitors 2005

Titanic – former shipbuilding yards Cathedral –area around St Anne’s

Cathedral –vibrant arts scene –creative industries

Queens –area around the University –development of cultural events & ‘café society’

Gaeltacht – West Belfast centred on the Falls Road & retention of Irish language

Belfast –TitanicTitanic –Built in Belfast 1912

‘It was fine when it left here!’

Belfast –Titanic75 Hectares

Titanic visitor centre as catalyst for mixed use development

Aim: 500K visitors p.a.

Belfast – Cultural quartersLessons learnt

Value of Identifying distinctiveness providing a framework to facilitate and celebrate diversity

Need to be flexible over time drawing on a range of approaches – enhancement of public realm to festivals and events

Importance of focusing as much on people as on buildings in promoting and regenerating an area

Quarters can validate and support local communities, add value to the quality of life and bring considerable economic benefits

To be successful they must draw on genuine character and authenticity and connect with local people as well as tourists

EU Regional Policy Lisbon Strategy 2000– most competitive

knowledge based economy -2010 Göteborg Agenda 2001– more

sustainable development – combating climate change

3 Priorities Convergence - €283B Regional competitiveness and employment -

€55B Territorial co-operation- €8.7B

Cohesion Policy and cities – 2006 guidance –ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund

EU Regional Policy Heritage led regeneration not explicitly

identified Case studies show importance of

Objective 1 status Vital that contribution of cultural heritage

is now made clear Urban regeneration Sustainable development Social well being

INHERIT report coincides with Ist year of new EU priorities 2007- 2013

Need to lobby governments and regions to integrate heritage led regeneration in national framework programmes

How to be successfulFocus on Identity and Diversity….. Prepare ‘audit’ to understand context and define

character and identity Recognise the contribution that ‘common heritage’

can make to character Understand the social value of ‘identity’ to local

people and its appeal to visitors Encourage ‘diversity’ as means of spreading

activities and ensure new uses for old buildings are sustainable

Develop cultural approaches that relate to people as well as buildings and include recent events as focus for cultural tourism

Value ‘quality’ in terms of design and materials and welcome good contemporary design

Invest in Regeneration – especially the Public Realm….

Use public sector investment as catalyst for wider regeneration - especially in the ‘public realm’

Balance accessibility with enhanced space for pedestrians, cyclists and the reduction of pollution

Improve surfaces using natural and other quality materials, enhance lighting, signage and interpretation and consider modernising infrastructure

Link public realm improvements to opportunities for cultural events

Work in Partnership…. Recognise the respective roles of the public,

private and community sectors –provide leadership Work with the private sector and consider new

approaches to funding and delivering public benefit

Involve the community and key stakeholders in decision making

Understand the value of community engagement in building people’s sense of ‘ownership’ and ‘pride of place’

Encourage community and stakeholder ‘champions’ to promote the benefits of investing in heritage

Think and Act Strategically….. Value investing in heritage as key to urban

regeneration and sustainability Understand ‘identity of place’ and integrate

heritage into corporate strategy Recognise the importance of leadership, aspiration

and a holistic approach with appropriate organisational structures

Ensure specialist skills and capacity are available and facilitate training

Monitor results and quantify environmental, social and economic benefits

Link benefits with the ‘Lisbon’ and ‘Göteborg’ agendas – job creation and sustainability

Conclusions Heritage is an asset that should be valued

as a major contribution to sustainability Local and regional Authorities should

adopt a more strategic approach Emphasis should be given to measuring

social and economic benefit EU policy priorities should more explicitly

recognise heritage as a catalyst for urban and regional regeneration –need to lobby national and regional authorities

Community involvement – young people crucial to success and sustainability

Get Your Copy The INHERIT report is essential reading

for all policy makers and practitioners with responsibilities for the regeneration of historic and heritage cities. Complete the order form to get your copy - FREE. Contact Brian Smith Project Director European Association of Historic Towns

and Regions - bsmith@historic-towns.org