"The HUL Recommendation: Towards a broader understanding of urban heritage", UNESCO, 2021

Urban Heritage: Understanding Its Importance

The Essence of Urban Heritage

• Urban Heritage encompasses all valued places within cities, towns, and settlements that have been passed down through generations, highlighting that heritage is more than just monuments.

• Historic cities are unique due to their evolution over time, serving as repositories of collective knowledge and identity beyond grand monuments; they include the built environment, natural settings, and cultural practices.

• Elements contributing to historic places include town skylines, streets, ordinary houses, local construction methods (stone or brick), specialized craftsmanship (carpentry or ironwork), waterfronts, gardens, public spaces, markets, celebrations, and traditional arts.

The Complexity of Preservation

• The identity and spirit of historic urban areas rely on the interconnectedness of various layers in the urban landscape; thus every element must be protected collectively.

• A dilemma arises between the need for cities to grow and change while also preserving Urban Heritage for its uniqueness; this tension presents challenges in urban planning.

Holistic Approaches to Urban Development

• The Hull approach advocates for integrating heritage into city planning policies to enhance resilience and livability while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability.