Heritage at heart

Interesting short article by Dave Chetwyn "Heritage at heart (draft PPS15 on the historic environment)", in Planning No 1836 18 Sep 2009, 17

Explores the initial response of stakeholders to the publication of the draft planning policy statement on the historic environment (PPS15). Highlights the key features of the draft PPS15 and what the government hopes will be achieved by the new guidance. Looks at the debate over the effectiveness of the changes and especially the possible negative impact of the implicit separation of heritage management from the wider place-making context. Highlights concerns within the built environment professions about the draft's lack of recognition of the role of historic buildings in the social regeneration of towns and cities and in the creation of sustainable communities.

Downloadable report: Smith Institute round-table discussion on heritage

The New Statesman has published the transcript of the round table discussion on Britain's heritage, convened by think tank The Smith Institute. The forum considered how cultural value should be allocated, how to engage the public, and how to increase funding from both the public and private sectors, including encouraging personal donations.

Discussants included the Culture Minister Margaret Hodge, Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart (Chairman of English Heritage), Liz Forgan (HLF Chair), Anthea Case (Chairman of Heritage Link), Nick Way (Director General of the Historic Houses Association).

Interesting (accurate and depressing) conclusion about where heritage sits in the government’s perception: 'I think the wider appreciation of what culture can do for the various things government wants to achieve is just not there at the moment.' (Harry Reeves, summing up on behalf of the Minister).

The pdf can be downloaded from http://www.newstatesman.com/pdf/heritage2007.htm

New publication - Measuring the value of culture: methods and examples in cultural economics

Snowball, Jeanette D (2007) Measuring the value of culture: methods and examples in cultural economics. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg. ISBN: 9783540743552

Might be interesting to a number of the list memebers! Provides advice on how to place valuations upon a cultural event or facility, reiewing current theory of cultural valuation. Discusses ideas of cultural capital and debates methods, such as economic impact and contingent variation. Offers advice on questionnaire design and the analysis and interpretation of results.

Journal of Cultural Economy

New Journal of Cultural Economy - see http://www.cresc.ac.uk/publications/cultural-economy.html with call for papers.

Might be interesting?