- How can we formulate an international urban agenda that acknowledges the importance of urban heritage in its broad meaning and simultaneously be contextualised in entrepreneurship?
- How can urban heritage and cultural identity be a driver for entrepreneurship development that engage with broader population and its consumers rather than tourist-driven heritage preservation?
- How can the economic value of historic urban fabrics, neighbourhoods and market support local consumers and social capital of residents?
Heritage has different connotations for different communities and nations.But once identified, it needs to be preserved, conserved and effectively managed. Its preservation can be ensured by involving communities, making heritage integral part of city planning, involving planners, architects, professionals and ulbs ; making dedicated regulations for its safety and ensuring heritage is put to use for the city. Any attempt to freeze and isolate the heritage, will prove to be be counter-productive. Adequate resources and creating rational legal framework for its preservationa nd conservation will remain critical
Identifying built heritage in urban areas can be an easy task for Heritage experts or architects but it can be a difficult task to manage or preserve it if its not adding value to the community where it is located. In other words, if the identified urban heritage fails to be an active part of the community socially or economically, it can act as nuisance in community member's everyday life.
To combat this issue first of all we need to identify the factors and reasons that actively align with the community needs. This is because if we approach heritage from an outsider's perspective of preservation and protection we risk aggravating the community and are at a loss of offering understanding & viable method of preservation of urban heritage. We have to actively reassure the community of their unique heritage in this becoming global village of a world.
Once we have established their needs and conflicts we can work on their cultural identity. It is highly possible in some cases that the heritage being preserved does not align with cultural identity of the community. Therefore we have to improvise our solutions to enhance its importance and significance in history in relation to community needs and values. Once we have convinced them of importance of their role in heritage preservation only then we can have a collaborative preservation enhancing entrepreneurship opportunities.
Most importantly, we have to look at the framework of organisations working on preservation. We need to ensure the methods are legally and ethically beneficial to the community, avoiding any actions that could harm them. preservation is not an easy task but it can be a rewarding process and result for future.
Stephen Poon heritage also has a role to play in the mental health of urban communities. Any urban agenda should recognise this contribution
Article The Nexus between Cultural Heritage Management and the Menta...
Stephen Poon Hira Attiq
In this context it is important to also look at the epistemology of those who are nominating and/or managing heritage. Hira's comment on establishing needs ands conflicts is valid
Article The Usefulness of the Johari Window for the Cultural Heritag...
heritage buildings arethe most visible connection cities have with the past, through heritage buildings patterns can be understood and innovation can be channeled to current designs. In developing economies these heritage sites are at the danger of being lost because of poor economies and a lack of conservation policy and enforcement. At the heart of this dilemma is the ownership of the sites. If heritage sites can be privatized in a joint ownership venture then the economic potentials of these sites can be fully explored
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