Guidance On Heritage Assessment

The Council of Europe has identified the advancement of a European cultural identity, enriched by cultural diversity, as a major principle in its activities. The guidance on heritage assessment provided in this book is the result of an integrated rehabilitation project of the architectural and archaeological heritage of the Balkans, where it became apparent that the methodology adopted could have a wider application

This new edition examines management of built heritage through the use of values-led decision making, based on an understanding of the significance of the cultural asset. It considers how significance is assessed and used as an effective focus and driver for management strategies and processes. The authors consider key policies and procedures that need to be implemented to help ensure effective management. The book will be useful for specialists in built heritage - conservation officers, heritage managers, architects, planners, engineers and surveyors - as well as for facilities and estates managers whose building stock includes protected or designated structures or buildings in conservation or other historic areas. describes management strategies and tools for a wide range of built heritage assets a reflective and informative guide on current conservation management explains how understanding and using conservation values (significance ) is essential to the protection of the built heritage uses real-life examples to draw out best practice

Local lists play an essential role in building and reinforcing a sense of local character and distinctiveness in the historic environment, as part of the wider range of designation. They enable the significance of any building or site on the list (in its own right and as a contributor to the local planning authority's wider strategic planning objectives), to be better taken into account in planning applications affecting the building or site or its setting. The advice supports local authorities and communities to introduce a local list in their area or make changes to an existing list, through the preparation of selection criteria, thereby encouraging a more consistent approach to the identification and management of local heritage assets across England. A local list can celebrate the breadth of the historic environment of a local area by encompassing the full range of heritage assets that make up the historic environment and ensure the proper validation and recording of local heritage assets. They also provide a consistent and accountable way of identifying local heritage assets, to the benefit of owners and developers who need to understand local development opportunities and constraints.

What laws should states enact to protect and promote their cultural heritage, and what administrative systems can they put in place to manage their cultural heritage policies most effectively? This revised and expanded guidance document aims to provide authoritative information on good practice in three primary areas: - the architectural heritage; - the archaeological heritage; and - the movable heritage. Consideration is given to integrated approaches to conservation, in particular those which take into account the global concept of sustainable development and the need for community involvement in formulating legal and institutional mechanisms. This publication is part of a series launched in 2000 on topics of general interest, based on experience acquired through pilot projects in different countries, and made available to all those involved in heritage in the member states of the Council of Europe.