Heritage Vision 2013
In October 2012, nearly 300 delegates came together in Montreal for a National Heritage Summit organized by the Heritage Canada Foundation that brought together heritage organizations, advocates, architects, municipal planners, developers, public policy makers and property owners from across the country as a first step toward creating a new vision and action plan for the heritage movement in Canada.
Participants applied themselves to a range of issues and opportunities facing the heritage sector, which resulted in the development of several guiding statements.
Here is some of what we heard:
- We need to become enablers! Heritage will remain irrelevant as long as we’re seen as heritage protectionists.
- A culture of conservation can be achieved by expanding the generational, social and economic relevance of heritage (e.g., social justice, sustainable development and urban agriculture).
- Link the heritage message to the crisis of consumerism and disposability.
- Conservation should be synonymous with innovation.
- Move beyond buildings to include intangible heritage.
In the intervening months, HCF has crafted these statements into five thematic areas, each with an associated Working Group:
- Group 1 – Heritage has Greater Purpose
- Group 2 – Heritage is Conservation
- Group 3 – Heritage is in Demand
- Group 4 – Heritage is More than Buildings
- Group 5 – Heritage Reflects Broader Perspectives
HCF’s “Regeneration: Toward a New Vision for Heritage” outlines each of these themes. Take a look -- and stay tuned! As we'll be seeking your input soon.
