Towards a more just world: an agenda for transformative heritage planning futures

Abstract

In this final chapter we address the key questions we consider to lie ahead for heritage planning, when pushing new practice and research frontiers. We build on and take forward the points made in Parts I and II, as well as discussions with authors and other heritage planning experts in academia and practice. We touch on those heritage issues that we believe could contribute to a more just, diverse and sustainable world. With this agenda, we aim to enrich and inspire both practice and research directions by suggesting new, combined, continued and alternative perspectives on doing, studying and reflecting on heritage planning. We focus on conceptual and thematic ways forward, supported by methodological, governance and funding considerations. There are many angles to be explored, numerous ideas to be shared and actions to be undertaken. This agenda is but a small contribution. Heritage planning and contemporary challengesSpatial planning operates in a world full of context: tabula scripta. Developing spatial policies, plans and designs for the future always requires interaction with pre-existing conditions: structures, creations, ideas, uses, values, pollutions and other historic layers. Engaging with them can be seen as a restriction, or as an opportunity to work with the potential of place. We would therefore argue that, conceptually, all spatial planning is a form of heritage planning. Conversely, heritage planning cannot be limited to what is formally designated or listed. As also discussed in the introduction to this book (Chapter 1), formal definitions of heritage, as for example used in European policy contexts, have become much broader over time .