Theme: Black Magic
True or False? Heritage conservation is too subjective! Sometimes heritage advocates don’t even agree with each other about what constitutes a good heritage conservation project
Question: How can heritage advocates better communicate what they are trying to achieve? How can heritage advocates present a united front?
Results
- Problem: Heritage officials allow a limited number of buildings of each architectural style. Advocates feel that all meritorious buildings of any style should be eligible for designation
- Solution: Hire heritage advocates on staff that create solutions rather than roadblocks
- Problem: Lack of understanding by officials of what is involved in heritage building rehabilitation. Need to be ‘A’ or ‘B’ to be eligible to restore but an only get on ‘A’ or ‘B’ if the building is original and intact. Levels of intervention are misunderstood. Conservation includes preservation, rehabilitation and restoration and therefore projects need to evaluation for their success based on the conservation objectives of the specific project. · Clarity of objectives in important
- Speak in terms of value
- Communicate to the appropriate audience
- Be proactive
- Network to Learn & Share: Sharing best practices and listening to people from other places
- Point of View: balance and build
- Consultation: Intergenerational as we make decisions that affect the future
- Be well-informed: Research and know your facts
- Advocacy: Playing a significant role in achieving an outcome acceptable to many
- A clear definition of terms, and a better understanding of what constitutes a ‘good’ project
- Need to carefully consider a range of possible approaches to each heritage situation and develop appropriate choices given the circumstances
- The process of decision making must be inclusive an informative for all
- Speak in the language of listener; the language is different developers, home-owners, retail outlets, etc.
- Do not simplify objectives – issues are complicated and need to be communicated; values are varied
- Communicate financial benefits to he community
- Be aware of the value of property or site