Guidance for the Environmental Assessment of the impacts of certain plans, programmes or projects upon the heritage value of historical areas, in order to contribute to their long-term sustainability.

 Local urban heritage greatly contributes to the richness and diversity of cultural identities throughout European cities. Its conservation requires a different approach to the one used for monumental built heritage.
Urban areas are “living” systems, where private action and investment are crucial, especially when public funding possibilities are limited. Furthermore, the conservation of urban fragments cannot be separated from the need to enhance the quality of life for local residents. Socio-economic development and conservation of local heritage values cannot be separated, even if they sometimes appear contradictory. This suggests that, in order to achieve sound conservation, urban fragments must be maintained within sustainable development activity cycles.

The methodology proposed by the SUIT research is based on the Directive 97/11/EC (EIA) the Directive 2001/42/EC (SEA) adopted by the European Union. These Directives provide good opportunities for Competent Authorities to react in an appropriate manner when a new plan, programme or project, which is likely to produce significant effects on urban heritage values is proposed. The SUIT guidelines, recommendations and tools outline references and existing practices for developers, environmental consultants and third parties – most particularly members of the wider public and special interest groups – for whom the formal EIA/SEA process and legal procedures may otherwise seem daunting and confusing.

 The project addresses two main EU Directives: the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the Strategic Environmental Assessment.
The SUIT project was supported by the EU 5th Framework Program “Environment and Sustainable Development”, Key Action 4 : The City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage, Theme 4.2.3 : Foster Integration of Cultural Heritage in the Urban Setting. The SUIT contract number is EVK4-CT-2000-00017. 

The consideration of cultural heritage is explicit within the current EU legislation for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). However, cross comparative analysis of EIA/SEA legislations throughout Europe highlights that there is great variation in the way in which cultural heritage is accounted for between the Member States and, at times, discrepancies in the consideration of cultural heritage between regions or Competent Authorities within individual countries.
The assessment of cultural heritage within urban areas tends to be confined to the assessment of built culture, often limited to designated buildings and legally protected areas. Less tangible aspects of cultural heritage, such as urban landscape features, cultural identity and community cohesion are rarely addressed. The majority of Member States are unhappy with the level of consideration that is given to cultural heritage issues.
Case study analyses realised during the SUIT project suggest that the screening and scoping stages of both EIA and SEA should be more participative as the definition of what constitutes heritage is rapidly evolving all over Europe. Furthermore alternatives should address the basic nature of the project, in terms of precautionary measures, construction phasing, integration and respect for the historical authenticity, reversibility of the interventions etc. Finally more attention should be paid to cumulative impacts of urban projects upon heritage conservation.
The different methodologies developed in the SUIT project have the potential to meet a need, identified by EIA/SEA practitioners and other professionals in the cultural heritage and planning fields, for practical tools to address cultural heritage values in EIA and SEA processes. These methodologies address the different stages of a traditional Environmental Assessment process, from the screening stage to the long-term monitoring of the effects of projects or plans on the active conservation of urban fragments.

LEMA-Université de Liège
4000 Liège
Belgium
Mr. Jacques Teller (Senior Researcher), tel. +32 4 366 94 99

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01/06/2005

LEMA - Université de Liège (coordination)

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Cultural heritage

Preservation of historic city quarters