Know The Need Of Conservation Of Cultural Heritage

Posted by Heritage 21 on October 1st, 2019

A definition of heritage is: those things from the past which are valued enough today to save for the people of tomorrow.

Heritage sites and buildings in Sydney can impact numerous aspects of the ways a community develops. Regeneration, housing, education, economic growth and community engagement are examples of the ways in which heritage can make an extremely positive contribution to community life in Sydney.

Old structures are reminders of a city’s culture and complexity. The historic environment is a proven source of benefit to local economies, particularly through tourism. By seeing historic structures―whether related to something famous or recognizably dramatic―tourists and longtime residents are able to witness the aesthetic and cultural history of an area.

An attractive heritage environment helps in attracting external investment as well as maintaining existing businesses of all types, not simply tourism-related. Similarly as banks prefer to build stately, old-fashioned facades, even when located in commercial malls, a city needs old structures to maintain a sense of permanency and heritage.

People are very proud of their local history, but don’t always express how much they value a place until it’s threatened. Since it adds character and distinctiveness to an area, heritage is a fundamental in creating a ‘sense of place’ for a community. At the centre of any Conservation of Cultural Heritage strategy is a statement of cultural significance, derived from a thorough physical, historical and comparative analysis of the place.

Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is a significant factor in developing sustainable communities. Heritage buildings add value to regeneration projects, both in terms the economic and environmental advantage of reuse over new build and in adding character to an area. Heritage places can be a potent driver for community action.

Increased community values and greater social inclusion can be achieved through a focus on heritage matters. The heritage spots are an excellent local educational resource for people of all ages. Finding about the history of a place is a good way of bringing communities together through a shared understanding of the unique cultural identity heritage places provide to an area.

Areas where the heritage is understood and valued tend to be better looked after than those where heritage things have no link with the community. Such links help to encourage civic responsibility and citizenship and contribute to everyone’s quality of life.

Improved community values and greater social inclusion can be acomplished through a focus on heritage matters. The heritage spots are an excellent local educational resource for people of all ages. Finding out about the history of a place is a good way of bringing communities together through a shared understanding of the unique cultural identity heritage places give to an area.

The preservation of historic buildings is a one-way street. There is no choice to renovate or to save a historic site once it’s gone. Furthermore, we can never be sure what will be valued in the future. This reality brings to light the importance of locating and saving buildings of historic significance―because once a piece of history is destroyed, it is lost forever.

So, Conservation of Cultural Heritage is highly important.