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