Tangible and Intangible heritage of cities - problems and issues: UK Perspective 24 February 2014 Dr Nafees Meah Director , RCUK India
Dec 23, 2015
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?