Explanation:
WHY HERITAGE IS AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY
Heritage sites and buildings can have a very positive influence on many aspects of the way a community develops. Regeneration, housing, education, economic growth and community engagement are examples of the ways in which heritage can make a very positive contribution to community life. This is because:
• The historic environment is a proven source of benefit to local economies, particularly through tourism.
• An attractive heritage environment assists in attracting external investment as well as maintaining existing businesses of all types, not just tourism-related.
• People are very proud of their local history, but don’t always express how much they value a place until it’s threatened. Because it adds character and distinctiveness to an area, heritage is a fundamental in creating a ‘sense of place’ for a community.
• Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is an important factor in creating 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 a precinct.
• 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 places are an excellent local educational resource for people of all ages. Learning 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.
