Abstract
Built heritage faces increasing pressures and threats from development and change in the contemporary world, a situation that frequently results in compromise or loss of historic fabric and its associated values. This paper examines how Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) methodology specifically addresses and mitigates threats to built heritage within an overall sustainable development framework. The methodology will be explained and examples will be given from across Asia of HIA applications to the urban and rural built environment to illustrate how this can be achieved. These case studies reflect a variety of ways in which development and heritage come into conflict and have been selected to show how versatile and adaptable HIA can be as a tool for finding balance and solutions. HIA is an approach rooted in a balanced and sustainable relationship between ‘the needs of the present and future generations and the legacy from the past’ (UNESCO 2011). The paper also illuminates some of the basic assumptions on which HIA functions and some of the contradictions that often arise when the methodology is applied to real world problems.
Highlights
Built Heritage and DevelopmentBuilt heritage faces increasing pressures and threats from development and change in the contemporary world, a global situation that frequently results in compromise or loss of historic fabric and its associated values
Placing culture at the heart of development policies constitutes an essential investment in the world’s future and a pre-condition to successful globalisation processes that take into account the principle of cultural diversity.’ (UNESCO 2016: 2) The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has acted on this through the adoption of the Policy on the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention (2015), confirming the support of the international heritage community for the spirit and letter of the Sustainable Development Goals
The examples presented in this paper raise some important points regarding the success of Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) in meeting these aims and the prospect for HIA as a critical tool for sustainability
Summary
Built heritage faces increasing pressures and threats from development and change in the contemporary world, a global situation that frequently results in compromise or loss of historic fabric and its associated values. Scanning, Scoping and Commissioning—to identify the need for an HIA, to define its study area and broad scope and arrange the commissioning by the heritage authority of appropriate practitioners to implement it This is the critical stage that ensures that no potentially damaging development proposal escapes the impact assessment process. The assessment was based on international best practice as presented in the ICOMOS Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties (2011) It focused on impacts on historic shop-houses during two phases: alteration of the buildings for use as swiftlet farms and impacts resulting from that use. There were a number of interventions proposed which were assessed as acceptable only with mitigation to safeguard the fabric, setting and values of heritage resources These included major engineering works and construction, changes to the overall environment and the introduction of new uses or activities in or near the monuments. It sets out requirements or guidelines for conservation standards, an on-going management and maintenance plan, staffing levels and proposes a detailed schedule for project works (Ho, Lo & Lam 2011)
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