UNESCO World Heritage the implications & achievements of working within a global system

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1 UNESCO World Heritage the implications & achievements of working within a global system Tony Crouch BA(Hons), MSc, MRTPI, IHBC, FRSA City of Bath World Heritage Manager Vice Chair of World Heritage UK

2 WORLD HERITAGE 1. What is World Heritage? Why & how did it come about? 2. How does it relate to planning? 3. What is the contribution to tourism? 4. What are implications and achievements? 5. Concluding thoughts

WHAT IS WORLD HERITAGE? UNESCO founded 1945. Building peace in the minds of men & women.

3 WHAT IS WORLD HERITAGE? UNESCO founded Building peace in the minds of men & women. An accreditation system standards agency Aswan Dam, Egypt, ,300 bc Temples of Abu Simbel

4 WHAT IS WORLD HERITAGE? 1972 Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage ( the WH Convention ) Places of Outstanding Universal Value to the whole of humanity Outstanding Universal Value means cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity (OG/para: 49) UK signed in 1984 and so committed to identify, protect, conserve, present & transmit such places to future generations Places that are so important they re everyone s responsibility for all time

5 Places of outstanding universal value to the whole of humanity 1073 properties worldwide. 167 signatories to the convention.

18 English Sites 1. Tower of London 2. Stonehenge, Avebury & associated sites 3.

Palace of Westminster & Westminster Abbey 8. Ironbridge Gorge 9. Maritime Greenwich 10.

Ruins of Fountains Abbey 13. Frontiers of the Roman Empire 14. Derwent Valley Mills 15.

6 18 English Sites 1. Tower of London 2. Stonehenge, Avebury & associated sites 3. Canterbury Cathedral 4. Blenheim Palace 5. Durham Castle & Cathedral 6. City of Bath 7. Palace of Westminster & Westminster Abbey 8. Ironbridge Gorge 9. Maritime Greenwich 10. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 11. Dorset & East Devon Coast 12. Studley Royal Park inc. Ruins of Fountains Abbey 13. Frontiers of the Roman Empire 14. Derwent Valley Mills 15. Saltaire 16. Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City 17. Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape 18. Lake District

31 sites in the UK & overseas territories 19.

Giant s Causeway & Causeway Coast 21. St Kilda 22. Henderson Island 23.

Heart of Neolithic Orkney 26. Blaenavon Industrial Landscape 27.

7 31 sites in the UK & overseas territories 19. Castles & Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd 20. Giant s Causeway & Causeway Coast 21. St Kilda 22. Henderson Island 23. Gough & Inaccessible islands 24. Old & New Towns of Edinburgh 25. Heart of Neolithic Orkney 26. Blaenavon Industrial Landscape 27. Historic Town of St George & fortifications, Bermuda 28. New Lanark 29. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal 30. The Forth Bridge 31. Gorham s Cave Complex

"[Artefacts] are in incredible danger today, from human activity, from war, they are in danger from natural

Peter Salovey. President of Yale University. January 2016 at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland.

Forbidden City, Beijing (Ming/Qing dynasties (1420-1912)). Visitor numbers have rocketed from 7.

8 "[Artefacts] are in incredible danger today, from human activity, from war, they are in danger from natural disaster and from climate change; they are in danger from the very tourists who love to see them. Peter Salovey. President of Yale University. January 2016 at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland. Monumental arch of Palmyra, Syria, (Roman 3 rd Century) inscribed in destroyed October 2016 The Forbidden City, Beijing (Ming/Qing dynasties ( )). Visitor numbers have rocketed from 7.5m in 2015 to a current 16 million annual visitors, making this the world s most visited museum. (The British Museum, ranked 3 rd, has 6.8m).

9 History: Georgian How does World Heritage relate to planning? Town planning as heritage in its own right

This mathematical land division was based

10 Beemster Polder The polder was laid out in a rational geometric pattern, developed in accordance with principles of classical & Renaissance planning. This mathematical land division was based on a system of squares forming a rectangle with the ideal dimensional ratio of 2:3. Polder created in The Dutch bought Manhattan in 1626

11 Planning as a means of protection

12 National Planning Policy Framework Para. 126: LPAs should recognise that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and conserve them in a manner appropriate to their significance. Para. 132: When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Para. 132: Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting Para. 132: Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, notably scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, grade I & II* listed buildings, grade I & II* registered parks & gardens, & World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional. Para. 133: Where a proposed development will lead to substantial harm to or total loss of significance of a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or loss, or all of the following apply

Chacewater, Cornwall (Cornish Mining WHS) It seems to me that the

greater priority than another; it is an integral whole The severity

represent a key attribute of the World Heritage Site The proposals

13 Chacewater, Cornwall (Cornish Mining WHS) It seems to me that the WHS is made up of all its attributes and that none should be given greater priority than another; it is an integral whole The severity of the impact would have a major adverse affect as small holdings represent a key attribute of the World Heritage Site The proposals would represent substantial harm to the significance of the heritage asset.

planning policy. substantial public benefit. As yet untested principles. What is wholly exceptional?

S172: The World Heritage Committee invites the States Parties to inform the Committee of their intention to undertake or

14 Parallel Tracks? World Heritage not yet in national primary legislation Common language Alignment between UNESCO Operating Guidelines & UK planning policy. substantial public benefit. As yet untested principles. What is wholly exceptional? Heritage Impact Assessments Different timescales & developer uncertainty. S172: The World Heritage Committee invites the States Parties to inform the Committee of their intention to undertake or to authorize major restorations or new constructions which may affect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. Notice should be given as soon as possible (for instance, before drafting basic documents for specific projects) and before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse

15 Tourism Does World Heritage inscription bring a pot of gold? The Costs & Benefits of World Heritage Status. June Price Waterhouse Cooper for DCMS. The nature of the bidding process. Is it just a badge? Is it a force for good?

16 UNESCO-fication The unintended consequences of inscription Tourist collectors items Economics - Who benefits? Venice, Belize Angkor (Cambodia)

17 Stonehenge Cannot turn back the clock Is Stonehenge hampered by its international iconic status? The Mona Lisa of heritage sites? Is Avebury a control experiment

What does World Heritage Status mean for Bath?

atmosphere Wouldn t tourists come anyway?

18 What does World Heritage Status mean for Bath? Protection Sack of Bath, housing allocations Tourism worth 450m. 10, 000 jobs. Approx. 30% of visitors come for the architecture, history or atmosphere Wouldn t tourists come anyway? Compatibility with businesses. Business Edge Status & profile - the compatibility works Civic pride & education

20 Challenges Responsibility, cost Hand power to UNESCO Another avenue of complaint Major Development Life under the spotlight

Plan, Placemaking Plan, Transport Strategy, Pattern Book )

17m of major funding over the last plan period Vibrant local

achievement Sustainable model. Walking city.

21 How is current management working? Up to date policy platform (Core Strategy, WHS Management Plan, Placemaking Plan, Transport Strategy, Pattern Book ) Record visitor numbers Only 2 buildings at risk Attracted 17m of major funding over the last plan period Vibrant local economy with high employment rates and good educational achievement Sustainable model. Walking city. Adaptable buildings. Visitor economy is paying for the conservation Constant change needs constant management.

system, of protecting our heritage & driving sustainable tourism

22 Concluding remarks The UNESCO World heritage system is still highly relevant & sorely needed Planners are a key part of that system, of protecting our heritage & driving sustainable tourism World Heritage is a powerful brand and a tool to be understood & used.

WHS Management Plan, Core Strategy, Placemaking Plan, Streetscape

) Record numbers of visitors Success in major heritage funding bids

23 Thank You How are we doing? Current position: Policy platform is in place & up to date. WHS Management Plan, Core Strategy, Placemaking Plan, Streetscape Manual, etc. Buildings at Risk (only 2) Buddliea (sp?) Record numbers of visitors Success in major heritage funding bids World Heritage Interpretation Centre Proceed with care Facebook: Bath World Heritage Site

Designations protecting the historic designed landscape

Historic Landscape Project Designations protecting the historic designed landscape A. Key national designations affecting the historic environment: 1. Listed buildings 2. Scheduled Monuments (generally