Tangible and Intangible heritage of cities - problems and issues: UK Perspective24 February 2014

Dr Nafees Meah

Director , RCUK India

History:

AHRC Royal Charter April 2005

1 of 7 Research Councils

Scope:

27% of research-active academic

community in UK within AHRC remit

Approximately 50 disciplines/sub-disciplines

AHRC receives 2.8% of the research

budget

Arts and humanities research received

highest 4* in 2008 RAE

Arts and Humanities Research Council

AHRC Strategy 2013-18: The Human World: Arts and Humanities in out Times

Priorities include:Strengthen international research in the arts and humanities through strategic research partnershipsIncrease researcher mobilityIncrease participation in co-funded international programmes

AHRC Research on Heritage

AHRC has led on developing EU Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) on tangible, intangible and digital heritage. Themes are:

– Developing a reflective society

– Connecting people with heritage

– Creating knowledge

– Safeguarding our cultural heritage resources

Flagship - AHRC/EPSRC Science and Heritage Programme 2007-14

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training on Science and Engineering in the Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (UCL Bartlett School)

AHRC Centre for Doctoral Training on Heritage (Hull University)

Legal framework for protection of English built environment (system of planning consents)

Town and Country

Planning Act 1990

Planning(Listed Buildings and Conservation

Areas) Act 1990

Department of Communities and Local Government

Local Planning Authority

English Heritage(Department of Culture,

Media and Sports)

Listed buildingsGrade I

Grade II*Grade II

Conservation Areas

special architectural or historic interest…

desirable to preserve or enhance

Body of Case Law

Urban conservation is centrally concerned with preservation of buildings and artefacts either individually, in groups for local areas…indeed, for whole towns and cities. However, the motivation and justification for this process usually invoking the state intervention of some kind, is tied up with a range of aesthetic, socio-cultural, ideological and economic rationales which vary from place to place (Ashworth and Tunbridge (1990))

Problems and Issues

Requires state intervention but often a “lower order” issue for many planning authorities

Tension between development to meet economic and social needs of the community and conserving the built and natural environment

Energy efficiency and sustainable conservation – UK building stock

Exclusion of poor from designated conservation areas ‘Authorized heritage discourse’ (AHD): social construction

of tangible and intangible ‘heritage’ – who decides?