Can processes of preserving the urban heritage be improved for the benefits of the qualities of living environments? How can methods be developed to identify measures of tolerance in the process of change in historic towns, without them losing their identity? Can the methods for environmental and cultural indicators be developed to serve the planning processes? The project focuses on these questions concerning identification of qualities of the historical environment as significant of time and place, analyses and documentation methods, guidance of infill architecture and urban heritage management practices. By researching environment and data, developing methods and implementing improved practices of cross-sector co-operation the work can be further developed to a common strategy, balanced management and good practices for sustainable development in historic towns.

Sustainability as part of town planning is today integrated in the national legislation in a number of countries in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). The importance of preserving the regional and local identities embodied in the built heritage are strongly emphasized. The policy of urban heritage management focuses on good maintenance and development of urban heritage areas.

The SuHiTo project forms a platform for a long-term network and interaction between different regions, municipalities and researchers on urban heritage management in the BSR. It involves national, regional and local authorities, researchers, professionals from universities and institutes as well as local people in the BSR. Pilot-towns such as Mosjøen and Røros in Norway, Forssa in Finland and Ystad in Sweden have different management problems. Project activities in these pilot towns test integrated urban heritage analyses, value assessments, management tools and cross-sector co-operation.

The project was initiated by the Sustainable Historic Towns working group.

The activities of the project co-operation include seminars, workshops and conferences as well as inventory work in pilot towns in Finland, Norway and Sweden. National and transnational workshops with heritage authorities, researchers and planners present ongoing research activities on sustainable heritage management concepts. Two BSR Heritage Forums for professionals, consultants and local politicians promote integrated urban heritage management.

The local outcomes are, besides local operative plans and building instructions, improved competence, capacity and better-integrated resources for sustainable urban management and development. National outcomes are advanced tools for sustainable urban planning and urban heritage management. Transnational outcomes are guidelines on good methods for urban conservation policies.

The project budget is € 1 027 000.

Baltic Sea Region Interreg III B

The National Board of Antiquities of Finland
Ms. Marianne Lehtimäki (Project Manager), tel. +358 9 40501

01/01/2003

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Cultural heritage