Tangible and Intangible heritage of cities problems and

Tangible and Intangible heritage of cities problems and issues: UK Perspective 24 February 2014 Dr Nafees Meah Director , RCUK India

Arts and Humanities Research Council History: q AHRC Royal Charter April 2005 q 1 of 7 Research Councils Scope: q 27% of research-active academic community in UK within AHRC remit q Approximately 50 disciplines/subdisciplines q AHRC receives 2. 8% of the research budget q Arts and humanities research received highest 4* in 2008 RAE

AHRC Strategy 2013 -18: The Human World: Arts and Humanities in out Times Priorities include: q Strengthen international research in the arts and humanities through strategic research partnerships q Increase researcher mobility q Increase participation in co-funded international programmes

AHRC Research on Heritage q AHRC has led on developing EU Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) on tangible, intangible and digital heritage. Themes are: – Developing a reflective society – Connecting people with heritage – Creating knowledge – Safeguarding our cultural heritage resources q Flagship - AHRC/EPSRC Science and Heritage Programme 2007 -14 q EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training on Science and Engineering in the Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (UCL Bartlett School) q AHRC Centre for Doctoral Training on Heritage (Hull University)

Legal framework for protection of English built environment (system of planning consents) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Planning(Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 Body of Case Law Listed buildings Grade II* Grade II Department of Communities and Local Government English Heritage (Department of Culture, Media and Sports) Conservation Areas special architectural or historic interest…desirable to preserve or enhance Local Planning Authority

q Urban conservation is centrally concerned with preservation of buildings and artefacts either individually, in groups for local areas…indeed, for whole towns and cities. However, the motivation and justification for this process usually invoking the state intervention of some kind, is tied up with a range of aesthetic, socio-cultural, ideological and economic rationales which vary from place to place (Ashworth and Tunbridge (1990))

Problems and Issues q Requires state intervention but often a “lower order” issue for many planning authorities q Tension between development to meet economic and social needs of the community and conserving the built and natural environment q Energy efficiency and sustainable conservation – UK building stock q Exclusion of poor from designated conservation areas q ‘Authorized heritage discourse’ (AHD): social construction of tangible and intangible ‘heritage’ – who decides?