Partnership-led Regeneration of Heritage Protection Zones

Abstract

Like all parts of our environment, designated historic areas, whether urban or rural, are under pressure to adapt to social, economic and climatic challenges. It is, therefore, important to actively manage their development alongside their legal protection. In recent years, an integrated approach to heritage in planning aimed at sustainable heritage development has gained increasing theoretical and practical support. As the concept of integration is based on the realisation of a shared vision, the incorporation of participatory practices is considered essential for the successful regeneration of historic areas.

However, to what extent this is the reality in practice with already designated heritage assets varies largely from case to case. The governance structure and participation procedures in existing heritage protection zones and their impact on their development remain a largely under-researched issue. In order to explore how the participation of the public sector, the private sector and civil society can enhance protection and development in heritage protection zones, two partnership programmes aimed at regenerating heritage zones were studied. Within the context of the Dutch protective instrument of “beschermde stads- en dorpsgezichten”, the analysis of the municipal scheme Dorpsontwikkelingsmaatschappij shows how the Frisian village of Ee tackled the issues of physical deterioration of the historic built environment and economic decline through a collaboration between the province, the municipality and citizens. To explore governance in England's 'conservation areas', the case of the Heritage Action Zone programme, which has been applied in several conservation areas across the country, shows how collaboration between Historic England, local authorities, NGOs and citizens has helped to improve a physically and economically deprived historic area in the city of Sunderland.

The case studies show that cultural heritage status does not necessarily imply a restriction on development, but rather can be seen as an opportunity for further activities in the area. The Dutch and English examples demonstrate how top-down measures can initiate or enhance bottom-up initiatives in protected areas in different ways, thereby strengthening the protection of the area and encouraging its further development. Heritage protection zones and other protective instruments play a significant role in preserving our cultural heritage. However, merely regulating the development within these areas falls short of securing their long-term future. Therefore, governing bodies must take measures and encourage active cooperation and participation in historic urban areas to enable them to adapt to changing times.