Miguel Rivas’ Post

New work published: Agility in Cultural Heritage Management—Advancing Competence Within Uncertainty as a Sustainable and Resilient Adaptation to Processes of Dynamic Change Fantastic joint production together with my brilliant young colleague Sebastian Daniel: The intense changes in our modern society and the associated challenges are constantly increasing, not least due to the meta-crisis of climate change. Yet our approach to cultural heritage is still strongly influenced by the narrative of preservation. The article aims to find solutions within the interplay of preservation and change. Based on the psychological impact on society resulting from the current challenges, it is argued that cultural heritage experts need competencies in dealing with uncertainty and tolerance of ambiguity in order to provide security of action. The article applies insights from multiple disciplines to urban environment studies and advocates for a systemic understanding of cultural heritage as a prerequisite for sustainable and resilient adaptation to current challenges. It also contributes to a body of knowledge on what skills cultural heritage professionals need to be competent and confident in their daily work. The case study provides some valuable examples from Regensburg of Germany by taking an integrated and holistic approach that views the city as a multi-layered system in cultural heritage management. Gustavo Araoz Christer Gustafsson Roland Bernecker Bénédicte Selfslagh Miguel Rivas Plácido González Martínez Wolfgang Börner Fergus Maclaren Zachary M. Jones Marco Acri Nils Scheffler Gabriel Victor Caballero Claus-Peter Echter Cristina Garzillo-Leemhuis PhD, MBA Vasileios Latinos Constanze Fuhrmann Graham Bell UK Susan Macdonald Cecilie Smith-Christensen Eugene Jo Nicola Halder-Hass Manal Ginzarly #heritage #sitemanagement #unesco #worldheritage #icomos #skills #coaching #agility #climatechange Matthias RIPP, Sebastian DANIEL. Agility in Cultural Heritage Management—Advancing Competence Within Uncertainty as a Sustainable and Resilient Adaptation to Processes of Dynamic Change. Landsc. Archit. Front., 2023, 11(3): 120‒131 https://lnkd.in/d_T_xBhy

Important article for those of you in cultural heritage management—especially built heritage—because of its emphasis on professionals developing competencies in addressing ambiguity and uncertainty in moving away from orthodox preservation approaches. I very much appreciate how Matthias Ripp and Sebastian Daniel ground their reasoning in psychology. This is a critical step in moving the field into a more people-focused direction. But, preservation educators may have a significant challenge in adopting this focus in curricula. In my (unpublished) research, I’ve found preservation students are often drawn to the field because they prefer working in a field that emphasizes things. (Think of the difference between engineering—a focus on things—versus social services—a focus on people.) One of the worst studio teaching experiences I ever had was in a joint studio with urban and regional planning students (the planning studio was taught by another faculty member). Because of the studio’s explicit and primary focus on people (in this case, marginalized communities), a significant number of my students literally rebelled. I remember one case where a student, in a joint class meeting with the preservation and planning students, accused the planning instructor of “hating” historic preservation and preservationists. (There were a lot of shocked looking people in that room; this student went on to raise money for US/ICOMOS, for which she received great acclaim.) A couple of preservation students, in this class, also refused to collaborate with the planning students because they, too, ostensibly hated preservation. Many of my preservation students, in class discussions, repeatedly told me how they didn’t trust urban planners and complained, constantly, that the vernacular historic, suburban landscape we were addressing wasn’t “historic” enough with beautiful old buildings. More often than not, I could not teach because of the vitriol in that room against fellow built environment professionals. And, of course, some of my students complained to the Dean that they couldn’t stand working with planners and that this wasn’t a “real” preservation class. This was one of my last classes I taught before I left higher ed. It was the proverbial last straw as I realized that a significant number of professionals, academics, and now preservation students were so fundamentally resistant (or even hostile) to people-centered preservation that I knew I was spinning my wheels. I can’t change people’s hearts and minds, so time to move on. In Europe (the home of the article’s authors), there is evidence that this people-centered approach (ie, living heritage) is more openly accepted. In Europe, as opposed to the US, funding for this kind of research actually exists. Until the NPS and ACHP embraces people-centered preservation, the status quo seems destined to remain. Again, kudos to these authors. Please read with an open and respectful mind.

[#AivpVenice2023] Roundtable: Valorizing port-city culture with the citizens 🔸Rebecca ARMSTRONG, General Delegate, European Capital of Culture 2028 Rouen Seine Normande 2028 🔸Rodolfo Giampieri, President, Assoporti - Italian Ports Association 🔸Federico Esteban Susbielles, President, Consorcio de Gestión del Puerto de Bahía Blanca 🔸Soraia Abdula, Communication MPDC - Maputo Port Development Company Moderator: Carola Hein, Professor UNESCO Chair, TU Delft - PortCityFutures ℹ The heritage and culture of port cities are shaped by global commerce and their diverse populations. For some time now, port authorities and local communities have been highlighting the maritime dimension of their cultural identity. This applies not only to architecture and urban planning, but also to artistic creativity, traditions, know-how and professions. The top-down approach of this cultural policy can be renewed through collaboration with associations, institutes and museums, or even with citizens themselves. There are several examples of port cities issuing calls for ideas or organizing competitions. In this session, we will answer two questions: how can citizens be actively involved in the cultural promotion of ports, and why is heritage a good lever in making the image of port cities more positive?

I was delighted to receive a letter from Stefano DOMINIONI last week informing me of the decision of the Board of Directors of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) to renew the European Cultural Route Certificate for the European Route of Historic Gardens . This is a great honour and distinction for me personally and for our organisation established in 2016. We are the only certified garden heritage cultural route in Europe. The cultural routes of the Council of Europe are not, as some people believe, 'tourist organisations'. Allthough for centuries, tourism or mobility in its broadest sense has been a powerful tool and key to explore our surrounding and, as a result, to understand it better. We are ambassadors of the universal values underlying European civilisation and culture having the unique privilege of bearing the official Council of Europe / European Institute of Cultural Routes, Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme label. The certification as a “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” is a guarantee of excellence. Within the framework of the Cultural Route we implement innovative activities and projects pertaining to five main priority fields of action: 1) co-operation in research and development; 2) enhancement of memory, history and European heritage; 3) cultural and educational exchanges for young Europeans; 4) contemporary cultural and artistic practice; 5) cultural tourism and sustainable cultural development. If you manage an institution that cares for historical gardens and is also active in one of the above fields, you are more than welcome to join us as a full member or an independent collaborator; https://lnkd.in/d5P6cdYv Long live the Europe of united gardens! #erhg #europe #unity #gardens #excellence #councilofeurope #culture #heritage

𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 opens a deep reflection on the Dissonant Heritage present in many European cities. It allows to experience the complex and diverse history of Europe (focusing in particular on the Twentieth Century) and, through a critical examination of the past, come into the present to promote democratic and solidarity values. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲? Keep on reading the article 🗞 URBACT | Ileana Toscano

WHAT MAKES A HERITAGE PLACE? Recently, Extent Heritage was a major sponsor of the 21st Global ICOMOS General Assembly in Sydney. Among the dozens of talks, scientific symposiums sessions, lectures and conversations across the week, a select group of Extent Heritage’s leadership team found themselves considering just what makes a heritage place. Hosted by our Director, Andrew Sneddon at the Extent Heritage Knowledge Cafe, Andrew questions what 'People Centred Heritage' means and how that is key to our business and project outcomes.   Extent Heritage Director Jim Wheeler has many years experience working on Country and undertaking research in partnership with Traditional Owners and Knowledge Holders. He says that there’s no simple answer. “Often the most important things to Aboriginal communities are intangible values, [such as] nostalgic places associated with people and times. The systems that we’ve built aren’t adequate for that. It’s a struggle, because technical things are easy to measure—it’s easy to put things on a list if they meet certain criteria. But social values are a little bit more amorphous. Extent Heritage are looking to be at the forefront of people-centred approaches to heritage.”   For Associate Director Leo Martin, engaging communities is key. “We are better at listening to community voices and we are getting better at taking feedback from communities. We’re trying to leave something behind, trying to leave some of our knowledge and our skills with them, so they can take their own knowledge forward… It’s a story, rather than just a list.” ICOMOS GA2023 International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) #intangibleculturalheritage #communityengagement #culturalheritage #socialvalues #heritage

[#AivpVenice2023] Roundtable: Valorizing port-city culture with the citizens 🔸Rebecca ARMSTRONG, General Delegate, European Capital of Culture 2028 Rouen Seine Normande 2028 🔸Rodolfo Giampieri, President, Assoporti - Italian Ports Association 🔸Federico Esteban Susbielles, President, Consorcio de Gestión del Puerto de Bahía Blanca 🔸Soraia Abdula, Communication Manager, MPDC - Maputo Port Development Company Moderator: Carola Hein, Professor UNESCO Chair, TU Delft - PortCityFutures ℹ The heritage and culture of port cities are shaped by global commerce and their diverse populations. For some time now, port authorities and local communities have been highlighting the maritime dimension of their cultural identity. This applies not only to architecture and urban planning, but also to artistic creativity, traditions, know-how and professions. The top-down approach of this cultural policy can be renewed through collaboration with associations, institutes and museums, or even with citizens themselves. There are several examples of port cities issuing calls for ideas or organizing competitions. In this session, we will answer two questions: how can citizens be actively involved in the cultural promotion of ports, and why is heritage a good lever in making the image of port cities more positive? 🗓 17 november 2023 👉 More information: https://swll.to/AE7dgye

😺 Thrilled to share the news that our most recent research, "Threats and Opportunities through the Lens of Civic and Social Council Stakeholders in Madrid’s World Heritage Urban Cultural Landscape," published in the Journal of Heritage Tourism, is a joint effort  Laura Fuentes and Nuria Morère. This study dives deep into the implications of Madrid's UNESCO World Heritage site declaration, focusing on the formation of the 'Civic and Social Council.' This body brings together a diverse group of local stakeholders to collaboratively safeguard Madrid’s cultural landscape. 🏛 Our findings underline the critical need for strategies that address overcrowding, gentrification, rising prices, and lifestyle changes—challenges that arise with increasing tourism. By integrating theories like Social Exchange, Integrated Threat, and Social Identity, we propose a comprehensive framework for managing these impacts through effective community engagement and resource management. The research emphasises the importance of creating participatory bodies that can guide sustainable tourism development and heritage management. These bodies facilitate regular consultations and foster a networked culture among economic stakeholders and local communities, ensuring that their voices are not only heard but actively shape decision-making processes. 🔍 We encourage urban planners, policy makers, and heritage professionals to engage with our study to enhance the effectiveness of heritage management initiatives and promote sustainable urban development. 🔗 Get your free copy (only 50 copies are available!) https://lnkd.in/dkGNZceq #UNESCO #HeritageConservation #UrbanDevelopment #SustainableTourism #CulturalLandscape #Madrid

The suggested modifications are concerning…

Some recent musings from Andrew Sneddon, Leo Martin and yours truly at the ICOMOS GA Extent Knowledge Cafe - about the inadequacy of current heritage management systems when it comes to social and intangible values. These are often the most significant, fragile and rare values articulated by a community, ans they often go unrecognised and unprotected by current legislative and processual frameworks. As a heritage practice, Extent are committed to people-centred approaches to cultural heritage conservation and management because we understand it is critical that social and intangible values are identified and fully understood in project planning and management of Country.