The key issue with the way cultural heritage is managed in the planning process is that it is too narrowly defined and managed. Cultural heritage has been assumed to be the purview of cultural heritage experts only, and is assessed only in limited terms of architectural or historical interest. In most cultural heritage assessments there is limited analysis of the living cultural value of the heritage asset. In particular, there is limited or no analysis of how the extant local community interacts with the heritage asset. I consider that heritage protection would be strengthened by considering the current social value of a heritage asset in these terms in planning assessments. A particular example of this is in the case Minawood Pty Ltd v Bayside CC [2009] VCAT 440, which notes the value that a particular hotel plays in defining a sense of place, regardless of its objective heritage value. Living culture needs to be given greater weight in planning assessment, and the definition of heritage should be expanded to encompass the elements of the built environment that contribute to the sense of place of an area, regardless of their age or architectural value. At present it is generally classified as ‘neighbourhood character’, which is generally narrowly assessed in terms of landscape and architecture rather than social value. A large part of what actually gives a neighbourhood its character gets ignored in this type of assessment.

Social Planning Responses to Disaster Management - PIA Social Planning Chapter Seminar

23 July

The aim of this seminar is to understand both the immediate and long term social development needs in communities affected by natural or human induced disasters. Rebuilding towns involves not only planning for better physical infrastructure; it also requires rebuilding the social fabric of communities.

Lessons learnt from social recovery planning processes and their applicability to disaster social recovery is a core theme. There has been extensive work previously done in drought social recovery, community strengthening and place making that is directly applicable to rebuilding communities affected by bushfires or other disasters. Lessons from these types of social planning activities could also feed into climate change adaptation strategies for minimising risk.

The seminar features a facilitated conversation amongst a panel of eminent practitioners followed by light refreshments.

Presenters:
Damien Mate, Cardno ACIL Senior Consultant – Indonesia
Heidi Dixon, Director, Community and Affordable Housing, VicUrban
Craig Lapsley, Director, Emergency Management Branch, Department of Human Services
Facilitator:
Dr Kate Kerkin, Director, K2 Planning


Date: Thursday 23 July 2009
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Venue: Graduate House, 224 Leicester Street, Carlton, 3053
Cost: $35 PIA Members or $50 Non Members (prices are GST inclusive) and includes light refreshments

To register and for more information:
http://www.planning.org.au/vic/images/stories/events/disaster_230709.pdf