1. Europa Nostra Round Table Discussion : Amsterdam 13 th April 2012 ‘A Seat at the Top Table’ Does the EU Recognise the importance of cultural heritage and historic cities to Europe? Brian Smith - Secretary General European Association Historic Towns & Regions

2. Introduction  Heritage Europe – Background  Formed by Council of Europe 1999  1000 historic towns in 30 European Countries  See leaflet & www.historic-towns.org  Importance of Heritage Cities to Europe  80% population & economic activity in towns & cities  International Identity, economic vitality and social cohesion National Capitals, Regional Centres, Cultural hubs  All in part historic or heritage cities

3. INHERIT Investing in Heritage  Investing in Heritage –A Guide to Successful Urban Regeneration’  6 cities  Newcastle, Belfast, Verona Gothenburg, Gdansk, Ubeda  19 case studies  Lessons & Success factors  4 Recommendations for Local Authorities  Similarities to the Amsterdam Vision

4. 1Focus on Identity and Diversity…..  Understand the social value of ‘identity’ to local people and its appeal to visitors  Develop cultural approaches that relate to people as well as buildings and include recent events as focus for cultural tourism 2. Invest in Regeneration – especially the Public Realm….  Use public sector investment as catalyst for wider regeneration  Open Spaces, paved streets and squares – brings ‘confidence to residents, businesses and visitors

5. 3. Work in Partnership….  Involve the community and key stakeholders in decision making  Understand the value of community engagement in building people’s sense of ‘ownership’ and ‘pride of place’ 4. Think and Act Strategically…..  Integrate heritage into corporate strategy – adopt integrated management approaches  See also HerO project

6. Newcastle Upon Tyne

7. Grainger Town- Benefits IndicatorsTargetActual Jobs created1,9002,300 Training weeks5,4005,100 New businesses200330 New floor-space74K sq.m.81K sq.m. New dwellings520570 Buildings re-used70120 Public investment€59.5m€67m Private investment€199m€288m

8.  Titanic –Built in Belfast 1912  ‘It was fine when it left here!’

9. HerO Heritage as Opportunity  Urbact ‘Fast Track project  10 partners– Regensburg, Graz, Naples, Vilnius, Sighisoara, Liverpool, Lublin, Poitier and Valetta plus Heritage Europe  Guidance on integrated management plans for historic cities  Project included managing authorities from each country

10. HerO Heritage as Opportunity  €100m accessed from Structural Funds see www.historic-towns.orgwww.historic-towns.org  Untapped Potential of Cultural Heritage –Strategy paper  Argued for strong urban dimension in cohesion policy with cultural heritage at its heart  Partly successful

11. The EU & Heritage  EU Treaties  EU based on rule of law - no policy in Treaty – no law  Rome(1968), Brussels(1967), Maastricht (1993), Amsterdam (1999), Nice (2003), & Lisbon (2009)  Lisbon Treaty  Article 3.3. The Union ‘shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic identity and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced’  However absence of explicit recognition in policy and funding priorities 2007 - 2013

12. The EU & Heritage  Will this change 2014 – 2020  The European 2020 Strategy  Smart growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation  Sustainable growth: promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy  Inclusive growth: fostering a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion  5 Targets; Employment, R & D, climate change/energy, education, poverty/ social exclusion  No reference to Cultural Heritage or Historic cities

13. The EU & Heritage  5 main funds used to deliver the 3 strategic priorities of 2020 Strategy  Agriculture, ERDF, ESF, Cohesion and Fisheries –to work within integrated framework  Some opportunities for Cultural Heritage funding in all of these  Main area is cohesion policy aimed at convergence of the regions using ERDF, ESF and the cohesion fund  ERDF potentially most relevant

14. The EU & Heritage  Commission propose €376 B. 1/3 rd of total  80% energy efficiency, R&D and SMEs in developed regions  Min 5% sustainable urban development  Strong urban dimension for sustainable urban development but no mention of cultural heiritage  Creation of Urban development platform of 300 cities to implement integrated urban development  Investment priorities include  Article 5 (6) c –’protecting, promoting and developing cultural heritage  At Last!

15. The EU & Heritage  Why is cultural heritage so poorly represented in EU thinking?  Is it simply taken for granted?  What can be done to influence this situation  How do get a seat at the ‘top table’ where policies drafted and resources allocated?

16. Opportunities for the future – making the case  European Heritage Alliance 3.3  Smart growth - evidence  creative industries, empowered by technology and networking, cluster within historic areas  character and supply of heritage buildings e.g. industrial heritage provide ambience, identity and diversity that helps create, nurture and encourage innovation;  impact on smart growth of the digital agenda, interpretative and virtual technologies in cultural heritage related employment.

17. Opportunities for the future – making the case  Sustainable growth  Historic cities demonstrate a sustainable business model - re-use of buildings, greener transport with reduced travel and carbon emissions, and a strong sense of identity;  sustainable cultural tourism with focus on identity and diversity lead to sustainable local economies  heritage solutions addressing urban centre and village depopulation/ ageing population issues through re-use of heritage buildings.

18. Opportunities for the future – making the case  Inclusive growth:  Evidence of links between innovation, the knowledge economy and quality of life and cultural heritage  The importance of integrated planning approaches involving all stakeholders to delivering social cohesion;  the contribution of intangible cultural heritage to inclusion policy and economic growth; and  correlation between cultural heritage and a sense of place, happiness, well being and belonging as important ingredients in securing social and territorial cohesion.

19. Conclusions  We need to understand better who makes and influences the decisions  EU Parliament 80% rural constituencies  National government –Economic and business Ministries  Is a political dimension now needed in making the case?  How best could this be organised at local, national and European levels

20. Conclusions  We know Cultural Heritage is key asset/catalyst for job creation and growth  Does the EU recognise the importance of cultural heritage and historic cities?  We now need to marshal our arguments and persuade those who do have a seat at the top table