Cultural heritage as a driver of sustainability

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HE RI T AGEi sav a l u a b l e

u r b a na s s e tf o r d e v e l o p me n ts t r a t e g i e s

I ti sn o to n l ya b o u tt h ep a s t , i t ’ sa b o u tf u t u r ed e v e l o p me n t .

Wh e np u ti n t ov a l u e ,i ti mp r o v e s s o c i a lc o h e s i o n ,r e a f f i r mst h e i d e n t i t yo ft e r r i t o r i e sa n dc u l t u r e s

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The third International Forum of Medinas, held a few months ago in Morocco, served as a setting for the organization United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) to foster the discussion on the sustainable future of heritage cities, many of which have protected sites listed by UNESCO. The following text presents clear examples from the cities of Pasto (Colombia), Tangier (Morocco), Saint-Louis (Senegal) and Izmir (Turkey).

Cultural Heritage as a driver of sustainability

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TEXT:

PAULINE LAUNAY, SARA HOEFLICH CGLU

frica, with 129 World Heritage Sites, is the cradle of a rich but largely unknown heritage. Ethiopia and Morocco are home to most of this heritage, with each boasting nine sites, followed

by South Africa with eight sites and Egypt with seven. As this heritage can be an asset for development, countries and cities are organizing themselves to take advantage of its potential. A good example of this dynamic is the Moroccan initiative of the Mediterranean Network of the Medinas, an institutional association composed of municipal leaders from northern Morocco, currently presided by the

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mayor of Chefchaouen, Mr Mohamed Sefiani, who is also an active advocate of the UCLG agenda on Intermediary Cities. This network aims to pool members’ ideas and experiences in order to give added value to the actions on the preservation and promotion of tangible and intangible heritage. One way it does this is through its International Forum of Medina in Tangier. The third edition was celebrated between the 24th and 26th of April 2014. This edition gathered local and regional governments from 32 different countries and showcased new options from networks driven by southern cities. UCLG and its African section, UCLG Africa, partnered

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with the network for this edition of the Forum, motivating political representatives and engaging in the discussion on the theme “Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development”

Four cities: commons challenges and practices regarding heritage

TÁNGIER The medina of Tangier (Morocco) has seen its population change. Traditional buildings have been transformed to meet the needs of new residents.

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The 3rd International Forum of Medinas was an opportunity to highlight the common challenges that many cities -active within the UCLG network are facing regarding their heritage. They are exposed to an increase of their urban population which affects, in different ways their heritage.

Pasto, a Colombian city of 423,000 inhabitants, has to deal with an urban growth which accentuates the affluence of the population into the urban center. Therefore, the historical center undergoes growing real estate pressure and the lack of incentives, planning instruments and management plans that define protection and sustainability associated with economic difficulties in terms of maintenance, result in the deterioration of public spaces and architectural heritage.

In Senegal, uncontrolled restoration of façades and new constructions that are not compliant with the regulations imply major changes for Saint-Louis heritage.

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UCLG

United Cities Local and Regional Governments

TRIBUNE

Heritage and local economy

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n the case of Pasto, heritage has gone from being conceived as a set of elements with natural, artistic, historic and cultural value that must be protected, to become a key factor in stimulating and enhancing the development of the city and its rural surroundings.

Combining heritage, its conservation and competitiveness requires implementing the necessary actions to rebalance the territory in terms of equity. At the same time, actions must be taken to strengthen the management of cultural heritage as a way to boost the local economy, so that it can contribute to the productivity and competitiveness of the territory. Hence, we need to combine the goal of sustainable development with local short- and medium-term actions to make progress in the fight against poverty and inequalities that affect all aspects of life in urban and rural communities. The relationship between heritage management and productive exploitation also needs to be strengthened, especially if we consider that heritage and creativity must be united to position the city and the rural environment within the panorama of national and international tourism. This may be done through the implementation of various plans and programmes that are directed, on one hand, to position culture and heritage as key sectors of economic and social development, and on the other, to redefine or create a brand image for the city. This brand image must be identified with its symbolic capital, and heritage must occupy an essential place within this to act as a sign of identity.

In the long run, cities must provide the conditions necessary for systemic efficiency, including access to sustainable environmental assets and public services. We need an economy that operates within a framework of territorial competitiveness based, among other things, on the sustainability of heritage as a driver of the local economy. Cities must demonstrate the ability that heritage has to improve social cohesion, support its economic and productive dimension, be the backbone of the territory, attract new investments and enable the distribution of resources and equipment.

ALEJANDRA DELGADO,

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF TERRITORIAL PLANNING, PASTO (COLOMBIA)

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In Pasto (Colombia), public policies on urban and rural competitiveness and productivity, and heritage conservation have been approved by the local government

PASTO

The Turkish city of Izmir, which enjoys a rich mixed landscape of history and cultural heritage, is facing a similar dynamic. The continued migration from rural to urban areas results in the construction of poor quality structures which impact the city’s historic texture and identity. Since most of the resident lack financial resources for maintenance, these historical areas suffer physical deterioration.

In the recent years, the medina of Tangier, Morocco, has seen its population change. Traditional buildings being transformed to meet the needs of the new residents (the addition of new rooms, new floors, etc.). More recently, foreigners, eager for exoticism and authenticity, have been coming to live in the historical part of the city causing for prices to rise and promoting speculation.

This kind of situation highlights the difficulty of keeping and including locals in the process of heritage conservation and raises questions about the real beneficiaries of these actions. In fact, most of the time, restoration goes hand-in-hand with an increase in the value of the property, hence rising rent, and taxes.

This creates a new paradox: local residents can’t afford to live in these areas anymore. Therefore, we see an exodus of locals towards the outskirts of the city, while in the historical part, new investors see in this increasing property and invest in the area.

To face these challenges, each city has developed its answers. Some implement regulations and planning tools. In Pasto, public policies on urban and rural productivity and competitiveness, and heritage conservation were created by

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TRIBUNE

Sustainable growth

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The 3rd International Forum of Medinas was an opportunity to highlight the common challenges related to heritage faced by major cities in the UCLG network

the local government. Both aim to energize the territory, enhance culture, tourism and an economy of proximity, through strategic plans and projects (i.e. Land Management Plans, Special Plan for Protection, Municipal Culture Plan). In Tangier, a development plan was created to work on the medina’s challenges and several projects related to infrastructure were undertaken. Excavations also helped to revitalize the medina’s old walls.

Meanwhile, others projects on the fishing harbor were carried out with the aim of reconnecting the Medina to the sea by offering relaxation areas, squares and walks for the inhabitants of Tangier.

In Saint-Louis, the first step towards preservation is an inventory of Cultural Heritage. In 2002, collaboration with the School of Architecture in Lille, France, which is twinned

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IZMIR with Saint-Louis, enabled a large inventory to be undertaken. In 2003, three years after the recognition of the island as a World Heritage Site, the Municipality also established a Heritage Office, which has a supporting, monitoring and advisory role.

In Turkey, the Izmir Historic Project focuses more on how to maintain a diversity of populations and activities in the center. By providing housing, dormitories and student residences, the project encourages new populations, creative industries and NGOs to settle in the historical area. The municipality also attempts to take a broad approach, taking into account the need for new income sources for locals.

Thanks to financial assistance, the residents are able to restore their house and/or develop an economic activity in the building.

he Turkish city of Izmir, whose history dates back to the 7th millennium BC, enjoys a unique landscape with a rich mix of history, cultural heritage and natural sights. However, the 1950s dictated a rapid and permanent socio-economic change, which took the city of Izmir into the urbanization era; and the continued migration from rural to urban areas results in the construction of poor-quality structures which impact the city’s historical texture and identity. The lack of financial resources of the new residents of these areas results in the decay of the urban fabric. Abandoned mansions and residences are passed to low income groups and the physical deterioration of these buildings brings about social deterioration.

The inclusion of locals in the decision-making processes is not a common practice and could help to avoid the exodus of locals towards the outskirts of the city. The scenario usually plays as follows: as restoration takes place, the locals face an increase in property value that goes handin-hand with the rise of rent and taxes. Most of the time, they can’t afford to live in these areas anymore and are forced to leave the historical parts of the city. Meanwhile, new investors see potential in this increasing property value and invest in the area, resulting in gentrification of the historical areas.

To compensate for this trend, the Izmir Historic Project tries to maintain a diversity of populations and activities in the center. The program aims to provide housing, dormitories and student residences to encourage young people, especially university students, to settle in the historical area. Creative industries, academic institutions and NGOs are also welcomed to the area. It is of great importance that the municipality helps to support new income sources for locals in these areas. For example, financial assistance can be provided, allowing residents to restore their houses and/or develop an economic activity in the building.

In Izmir, preservation efforts gained great momentum after the 210 hectare historic city core, which is home to around 1,500 listed structures, was declared as “Izmir Konak Kemeraltı District Urban Renewal Area” in 2007.

ALKIN KORKMAZ,

IZMIR METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY, DIVISION OF HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE

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UCLG

United Cities Local and Regional Governments

Four cities: commons challenges and practices regarding heritage TRIBUNE

The heart of the city

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he medina of Tangier has experienced very different stages during the course of its history: it was first a Roman city, an Arab-Muslim city twice, and a medieval city.

Strong walls and specific spaces still reflect these different spatial patterns. Its most recent historical period has also changed its spaces and the population remains imbued with cultural and spiritual cohabitation. The medina of Tangier has a soul, it is dynamic; it has a community of residents and many traders and craftsmen are still working in the area. This area is a must for tourists who come in search of authentic living spaces.

Nevertheless, it also faces many challenges: deterioration of buildings, narrowness of the streets and poor families and single men and women coming from rural areas contribute to overcrowding. In order to meet the new needs of the medina’s population, the owners create additional rooms within existing buildings, sometimes even adding a floor. More recently, new residents, mostly foreigners, eager for exoticism and authenticity, have come to live in the medina, willing and able to put in higher bids for the sea view, creating prices to rice and promoting speculation.

A development plan was created to work on the medina’s challenges and several projects related to infrastructure were undertaken. The rehabilitation of the old port of Tangier brings a new dynamism to the city and aims to highlight the medina.

Because of their proximity, it is not possible to think about the future of the marina without thinking about the medina; the hill that dominates its landscape. Several excavation projects have also helped to revitalize the city walls and have unearthed a buried history. At the same time, other complex projects aim to reconnect the fishing harbor to the medina to the sea by offering the inhabitants of Tangier relaxation areas, squares and walks.

HANAE BEKKARI

ARCHITECT, ORGANIZER OF THE FIM14 TANGIER

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Population

Size

Main Heritage

45 km²

Urban zone

36.32 km²

SAINT-LOUIS

176,000 (2013)

TANGIER

793,776 (2012)

253.5 km²

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• Medina

PASTO

423,000 (2013)

1,181 km²

26.4 km²

• Historic center • QHAPAQ ÑAN UNESCO Andean Road system • Carnival Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO 2009)

IZMIR

2,828,927 (2013)

Metropolitan -Municipality: 7,340 km²

(Senegal)

(Morocco) (Colombia)

(Turkey)

• Island of Saint-Louis, UNESCO Heritage Site since 2000 • City center

• Historic center

A good example of this dynamic is Morocco’s initiative of the Mediterranean Network of the Medinas, an institutional association created by the Mayors of cities in the north of the country Networking for heritage cities As cities face similar challenges but do not come up with the same solutions, sharing experiences and practices can broaden their horizons and open up new possibilities. Thanks to different networks, dialogue between cities can be facilitated and exchanges among confrères are possible. This idea was the starting point for the creation of the Mediterranean Network of the Medinas. The association wanted to give a voice to the cities and actors involved in the protection and preservation of medinas, and so brought together municipal leaders from the region of Tangier-Tetouan. By allowing members to pool their ideas and experiences, the network promotes the importance of this unique Moroccan and Mediterra-

nean Heritage. It gives added value to the actions of diverse actors to address issues ontangible and intangible heritage and facilitates cooperation and partnership on both sides of the Mediterranean, particularly through its International Forum of Medinas.

UCLG, as network of networks, encourages connections between its members and helps them to create opportunities by bringing together not only peers, but a large range of actors such as international institutions, experts, researchers and associations. UCLG invited two networks, two universities and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to join the dialogue on heritage. The ILO emphasized the productivity and labor opportunities of intangible heritage like food markets. The University of Minho showcased the relevance of comprehensive and interdisciplinary

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As cities face similar challenges but do not come up with the same solutions, sharing experiences and practices can broaden their horizons and open up new possibilities

TRIBUNE

Culture and Tradition

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SAINT LOUIS research, while the Intermediary Cities network underlined the collaborative effort to document and lobby as part of the UCLG agenda.

Another actor of particular interest for the topic was the French National Association des Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire et des Villes à Secteurs Sauvegardés et Protégés (ANVPAH & VSSP). The association is comprised of nearly 200 cities and territories, eager to share their questions and experiences on policies for the protection and the enhancement of heritage.

The ANVPAH & VSSPs objectives are twofold: 1. To participate in networking at different territorial levels to develop policies for the use and mediation of heritage, architecture and urbanism. The network promotes the development of thinking on the diversity and socio-economic realities of territories. In connection

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with various communities and institutions, it helps define strategies and actions regarding heritage preservation.

2. To facilitate mutual understanding of experiences: it promotes partnerships and exchanges between politicians, scientists and technicians and it engages in providing information and training to all stakeholders, including elected representatives.

The participation of the city of Lille should also be highlighted. Lille presides the UCLG Committee on Culture. UCLG advocates for Culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development. In this context, the “Agenda 21 for Culture” is supported and promoted.

• www.uclg.org • www.agenda21culture.net

hich elements represent the heritage of Saint-Louis?

Founded as the gateway to Black Africa, in 1659, SaintLouis, Senegal, played a pioneering role in the history of West Africa. More than 350 years of existence left this city with a legacy of true architectural heritage that also promoted the mixing of peoples and cultures.

Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000, the island of Saint-Louis still has substantial evidence of its glorious past, through its distinctive architecture, its intangible cultural heritage, and events such as the International Jazz Festival. A variety of colonial buildinds, some Portuguese houses, others the former barracks of Orleans, or the vast stores of Bordeaux and Marseilles merchants, religious buildings, educational institutions and squares are characteristic of the exceptional destiny of this city that was formerly the capital of French West Africa, Senegal and Mauritania.

According to you, how can heritage conservation and competitiveness be combined in Saint-Louis?

The enhancement of heritage is an economic challenge. The development of important sectors such as tourism, is based on the city’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In Saint-Louis income-generating activities are born from the creation of city tours.

An interpretation route permitted that heritage be highlighted and shared. Accredited tour guides and carriages were set up. Other related activities (art, craft market, galleries) also generate meaningful employment. Sensitive to sustainable heritage preservation, politicians, traders and cultural actors of Saint-Louis try to favor conditions for harmonious development.

Opposed to the idea of turning the city into a museum, the restored heritage supports the economic dynamism of the island, which is visible through the opening of guest houses, cultural centers etc.

Do you think that working in networks can provide added value for the topic of heritage?

The historical path of cities, their levels of expertise and development models are multifaceted. The exchange of know-how, skills transfer and the sharing of experiences are all results of networking and of discussions about challenges related to the preservation and promotion of heritage. For us, and for other members of the network, this would undoubtedly add value: budgets can be saved and redistributed on economic projects and actors’ empowerment programs.

NGONÉ THIOUNE & AHMADOU CISSÉ, MUNICIPALITY OF SAINT-LOUIS SENEGAL

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