W a l l e d C i t i e s, O p e n S o c i e t i e s M a n a g i n g H i s t o r i c W a l l s i n U r b a n W o r l d H e r i t a g e P r o p e r t i e s Siena, Italy. 26-27 January 2017 C O N C E P T NO TE
1. I n t r o d u c t i o n The world s urban population represented around 10% of humanity in the beginning of the 20 th century, and 50% in the beginning of the 21 st century. By 2050, the world urban population is expected to nearly double, making urbanization one of the 21 st century s most transformative trends. Cultural heritage, in all its forms, either tangible or intangible, is increasingly urban. As advocated by the opening paragraph of the World Heritage Convention and its article 5.1, giving heritage a role and function in our societies is a key challenge for its effective, long-term protection, which can only be achieved as long as it is integrated within sustainable development policies and programmes. This imperative goes hand in hand with the need to better tapping heritage s potential as a driver and enabler for sustainable development, across its economic, social, environmental dimensions. In other words, if the heritage sector does not fully embrace sustainable development and harness the reciprocal benefits for heritage and society, it will find itself a victim of, rather than a catalyst for, wider change 1. Experiences on the reuse of heritage, giving it a new role and function within integrated urban management systems were developed already in the 1960s in several cities, evolving into city planning programmes mixing heritage protection and measures for the regeneration of urban areas. In 1995 ICCROM initiated the Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation (ITUC) Project. In parallel, the approach to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention progressively incorporated the benefit of communities and local populations as a guiding principle for the management and protection of listed properties. Such focus on people is also at the core of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (2011), which recognizes that the city is not a static monument or group of buildings, but it is subject to dynamic forces in the economic, social and cultural spheres that in turn are influenced by the urban environment. This approach sees urban heritage as a social, cultural and economic asset for the development of cities, seeking to increase the sustainability of planning and design interventions by taking into account the built environment, intangible heritage, cultural diversity, socio-economic and environmental factors along with local community values. This paradigm shift is also reflected in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where in Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities the Target 11.4 refers to protecting the world s cultural and natural heritage, as part of the necessary efforts to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Culture in general, and heritage in particular with regard to historic urban areas, have the potential to provide city authorities and communities with some keys to address the issues of development through inclusive, sustainable, place-based solutions. The New Urban Agenda approved by the Habitat Conference in Quito, Ecuador, in October 2016, acknowledges that culture and cultural diversity are sources of enrichment for humankind and provides an important contribution to the sustainable development of cities, human settlements, and citizens, empowering them to play an active and unique role in development initiatives. Most recently, on 18 October 2016, UNESCO launched its Global Report on Culture for Sustainable Urban Development, a ground-breaking document which presents a series of analyses and recommendations for fostering the role of culture for sustainable development. Drawing on a global survey and insights from scholars, NGOs and urban thinkers, the Report offers a global overview of urban 1 Policy for the integration of a sustainable development perspective into the processes of the World Heritage Convention, adopted by the General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention at its 20 th session in Paris, 2015 (Res. 20 GA 13). Siena, Italy. 26-27 January 2017 (page 2)
heritage safeguarding, conservation and management, as well as the promotion of cultural and creative industries, highlighting their role as resources for sustainable urban development. The Report s recommendations are based on three key concepts: - People-centred cities are culture-centred spaces - Quality urban environments are shaped by culture - Sustainable cities need integrated policy-making that builds on culture At the beginning of the 21st century, the challenge is to build a new development culture and practice, harnessing the digital revolution, based on the regeneration and sustainable use of heritage and cultural assets as part of a new socio-economic, environmental and cultural balance for tomorrow s cities, while addressing social change and transformations. 2. T h e m e Urban ensembles or cultural heritage within an urban context are the most represented category of properties on the World Heritage List. In many of them, especially in Europe, historic walls either coincide with the inscribed property s boundaries or are included therein. Historic walls are a meaningful legacy representing the multifaceted relations of towns and cities with the surrounding environment, as well as their layered history, sometimes keeping people in and sometimes out. Serving originally as a defensive system and as a filter to regulate the flux of persons and goods, nowadays they are a valuable heritage that represents an asset and a challenge for the cities management and sustainable development. Issues related to their sustainable conservation, regeneration, innovative function, and the use of the associated public spaces intertwine with the need to better integrate this form of heritage within the overall city planning and development policy, with a view at interpreting liminal spaces not as left-over spaces, but as a potential to reinterpret the cities. In a time of new symbolic and physical divisions, the new function and value of historic walls can also serve as an opportunity to reflect on the role of heritage in tackling some of the most pressing issues for contemporary societies, such as those related to migrations and integration, or the divide between centres and peripheries, urban and rural. Historic walls do not just surround cities: they define complexes physical and virtual, social and economic, religious and temporal, which also shape identities and life-styles. Against this background, the workshop aims at promoting the sharing of relevant experience among city managers, scholars/researchers and other relevant practitioners, and at producing recommendations for improving the management of this form of heritage. Special attention will be paid to exploring the links between culture and sustainable development, highlighting how heritage-based innovative approaches can serve urban development and regeneration. The workshop will explore the integration of walled historic cities specific built heritage in their urban and socio-economic environment, including the relevant planning and institutional frameworks. It will analyse how modern needs are addressed in a historic setting, through a series of thematic panels and case studies focussing on different links between development issues and heritage values, with special focus on World Heritage walled cities in Europe. Siena, Italy. 26-27 January 2017 (page 3)
3. F o r m a t The 2-day workshop will be structured along three thematic panels. The discussion within each panel will be introduced by a key-note presentation, followed by the discussion of good practices and lessons learned, and an open-floor debate. 1. I n t e g r a t ing hist o r ic wa l ls within management systems Moving from the HUL approach and the relevant tools, this panel will combine a conceptual debate on the integration of historic walls within broader site management systems/plans, with the presentation and discussion of concrete examples. Issues for discussion may include the role of historic walls in connecting urban and rural heritage within integrated territorial systems, community engagement in planning processes, linkages between tangible and intangible heritage, as well as impact assessment, disaster risk management and security measures visà-vis conservation constraints. 2. S u s t a in a b l e u s e a n d c o n s e r vat i o n o f hi s t o r ic wa l ls: f u n c t io n s, f u n d ing, p a r t n e r s h ips This panel will focus on the present functions of historic walls and of the annexed public spaces in servicing the walled cities, for the benefit of local communities. Discussion on potential and actual sustainable uses will be combined with the analysis of challenges and good practices related to urban regeneration, access to and qualification of public spaces, tourism, as well as to the financial sustainability of conservation and maintenance works. 3. C o m m u n ic a t i n g h e r i t a g e : n e w sym b o l ic v a lu e s f o r h ist o r ic wa l l s This panel will analyse and discus issues related to the use of historic walls in the communication and interpretation of heritage values. In a time of new symbolic and physical divisions, the (re)use of historic walls can serve as an opportunity to reflect on some pressing issues for contemporary cities, such as the divide between centres and peripheries, integration, and the building of inclusive societies. Works will focus on the current and potential role of historic walls in the interpretation and narration of the related cities, including for educational purposes, as well as on the role of new media and ICTs in informing communities and supporting community engagement. 4. O b j e c t i v e s a n d e x p e c t e d o u t c o m e s The main objective is to build participants capacities to leverage heritage and especially historic walls in order to manage change and improve quality of life for the local communities in World Heritage walled cities in the European region. The workshop aims to allow for the sharing of experiences, good practices and lessons learned among participants on the management of historic walls, to promote mutual learning, and to advance participants awareness, knowledge and inspiration on the proposed theme and sub-themes. Works will be concluded with the approval of a statement, presenting the main conclusions of each panel and setting forth recommendations on the preservation and regeneration of cultural heritage in World Heritage walled cities. The meeting will also offer the opportunity for strengthening cooperation among participating cities, universities, and other relevant actors with a view at developing inter alia joint research programmes for research and innovation, and at stimulating partnerships for joint promotion, resource mobilization. Siena, Italy. 26-27 January 2017 (page 4)
5. P a r t i c i p a n t s Expected participants in the workshop are: - Representatives of the managing authorities from selected World Heritage cities in Europe, with special focus on city planners - Scholars and researchers - World Heritage focal points at country level - UNESCO staff and other international resource persons 6. P a r t n e r s The workshop is hosted by the City of Siena and organized by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Venice, Italy), in cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The workshop s concept, programme and background documents are developed with the kind support and cooperation of the Mediterranean Network of UNESCO Chairs, and more specifically: UNESCO Chair in Urban and Regional Planning for Sustainable Local Development (University of Ferrara, Italy) UNESCO Chair in Urban Design and Conservation Studies (Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Israel) UNESCO Chair in Heritage and Urban regeneration (IUAV, Venice, Italy) UNESCO Chair in Management and Promotion of World Heritage Sites: New Media and Community Involvement (Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Turkey) UNESCO Chair in Architectural Preservation and Planning in Heritage Cities (Polytechnic of Milan, Italy) The organization of this meeting is made possible by the generous support of the City of Siena, as well as by the annual contribution of the Government of Italy to the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe. 7. W o r k i n g l a n g u a g e s Simultaneous translation will be provided during the workshop in English, French, and Italian. 8. Venue The workshop will take place at the Santa Maria della Scala museum, in Siena. http://www.santamariadellascala.com/ Siena, Italy. 26-27 January 2017 (page 5)
9. T r a v e l a n d a c c o m m o d a t i o n Board and lodging in Siena for the duration of the workshop will be provided for one representative of each invited city. Further information on logistics arrangements, the detailed programme, and indications on how to reach Siena will be soon made available on the workshop s dedicated webpage. 10. C o n t a c t s On contents and agenda: Mr. Matteo Rosati Programme Specialist UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe Tel +39 041 2601535 Email: m.rosati@unesco.org On travel and accommodation: Ms. Laura De Stefani Programme Assistant UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe Tel +39 401 2601536 Email: l.destefani@unesco.org Siena, Italy. 26-27 January 2017 (page 6)