europa nostra round table discussion : amsterdam 13 th april 2012 ‘a seat at the top table’ does...
TRANSCRIPT
Europa Nostra Round Table Discussion : Amsterdam 13th April 2012
‘A Seat at the Top Table’Does the EU Recognise the importance of
cultural heritage and historic cities to Europe?
Brian Smith - Secretary General
European Association Historic Towns & Regions
Introduction
Heritage Europe – Background Formed by Council of Europe 1999 1000 historic towns in 30 European Countries See leaflet & www.historic-towns.org
Importance of Heritage Cities to Europe 80% population & economic activity in towns &
cities International Identity, economic vitality and
social cohesion• National Capitals, Regional Centres, Cultural hubs
All in part historic or heritage cities
INHERIT Investing in Heritage
Investing in Heritage –A Guide to Successful Urban Regeneration’
6 cities Newcastle, Belfast, VeronaGothenburg, Gdansk, Ubeda 19 case studies
Lessons & Success factors 4 Recommendations for Local Authorities Similarities to the Amsterdam Vision
1 Focus on Identity and Diversity…..
Understand the social value of ‘identity’ to local people and its appeal to visitors
Develop cultural approaches that relate to people as well as buildings and include recent events as focus for cultural tourism
2. Invest in Regeneration – especially the Public Realm….
Use public sector investment as catalyst for wider regeneration Open Spaces, paved streets and squares – brings ‘confidence
to residents, businesses and visitors
3. Work in Partnership….
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’
4. Think and Act Strategically…..
Integrate heritage into corporate strategy – adopt integrated management approaches See also HerO project
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Grainger Town-Benefits
Indicators 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
Titanic –Built in Belfast 1912
‘It was fine when it left here!’
HerOHeritage as Opportunity
Urbact ‘Fast Track project 10 partners– Regensburg, Graz, Naples, Vilnius, Sighisoara, Liverpool, Lublin, Poitier and Valetta plus Heritage Europe Guidance on integrated management plans for historic cities Project included managing authorities from each country
HerOHeritage as Opportunity
€100m accessed from Structural Funds see www.historic-towns.org
Untapped Potential of Cultural Heritage –Strategy paper
Argued for strong urban dimension in cohesion policy with cultural heritage at its heart
Partly successful
The EU & Heritage
EU Treaties EU based on rule of law - no policy in Treaty – no
law Rome(1968), Brussels(1967), Maastricht (1993),
Amsterdam (1999), Nice (2003), & Lisbon (2009) Lisbon Treaty
Article 3.3. The Union ‘shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic identity and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced’
However absence of explicit recognition in policy and funding priorities 2007 - 2013
The EU & Heritage
Will this change 2014 – 2020 The European 2020 Strategy
Smart growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation
Sustainable growth: promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy
Inclusive growth: fostering a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion
5 Targets; Employment, R & D, climate change/energy, education, poverty/ social exclusion
No reference to Cultural Heritage or Historic cities
The EU & Heritage
5 main funds used to deliver the 3 strategic priorities of 2020 Strategy
Agriculture, ERDF, ESF, Cohesion and Fisheries –to work within integrated framework
Some opportunities for Cultural Heritage funding in all of these
Main area is cohesion policy aimed at convergence of the regions using ERDF, ESF and the cohesion fund
ERDF potentially most relevant
The EU & Heritage
Commission propose €376 B. 1/3rd of total 80% energy efficiency, R&D and SMEs in
developed regions Min 5% sustainable urban development
Strong urban dimension for sustainable urban development but no mention of cultural heiritage
Creation of Urban development platform of 300 cities to implement integrated urban development
Investment priorities include Article 5 (6) c –’protecting, promoting and
developing cultural heritage At Last!
The EU & Heritage
Why is cultural heritage so poorly represented in EU thinking?
Is it simply taken for granted?
What can be done to influence this situation
How do get a seat at the ‘top table’ where policies drafted and resources allocated?
Opportunities for the future – making the case
European Heritage Alliance 3.3 Smart growth - evidence
creative industries, empowered by technology and networking, cluster within historic areas
character and supply of heritage buildings e.g. industrial heritage provide ambience, identity and diversity that helps create, nurture and encourage innovation;
impact on smart growth of the digital agenda, interpretative and virtual technologies in cultural heritage related employment.
Opportunities for the future – making the case
Sustainable growth Historic cities demonstrate a sustainable business
model - re-use of buildings, greener transport with reduced travel and carbon emissions, and a strong sense of identity;
sustainable cultural tourism with focus on identity and diversity lead to sustainable local economies
heritage solutions addressing urban centre and village depopulation/ ageing population issues
through re-use of heritage buildings.
Opportunities for the future – making the case
Inclusive growth: Evidence of links between innovation, the
knowledge economy and quality of life and cultural heritage
The importance of integrated planning approaches involving all stakeholders to delivering social cohesion;
the contribution of intangible cultural heritage to inclusion policy and economic growth; and
correlation between cultural heritage and a sense of place, happiness, well being and belonging as important ingredients in securing social and territorial cohesion.
Conclusions
We need to understand better who makes and influences the decisions EU Parliament 80% rural constituenciesNational government –Economic and business
Ministries Is a political dimension now needed in making
the case? How best could this be organised at local,
national and European levels
Conclusions
We know Cultural Heritage is key asset/catalyst for job creation and growth
Does the EU recognise the importance of cultural heritage and historic cities?
We now need to marshal our arguments and persuade those who do have a seat at the top table