Академический Документы
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Indrė Gražulevičiūtė
Kaunas University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Department of Architecture
and Land Management
A broader concept of sustainable development includes not only environmental, but also economic,
social and cultural aspects. Lots of researches implemented around the world demonstrate that preservation of
cultural heritage enhances environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability. Cultural heritage can
contribute towards well-being and quality of life of communities, can help to mitigate the impacts of cultural
globalization and can become an incentive for sustainable economic development. Preservation of cultural
heritage is often understood as a barrier to economic development, though various economic benefits can be
generated by cultural heritage and its preservation: creation of income and jobs, job training and maintenance
of craftsmanship skills, revival of city centers, heritage tourism, increase in property values, enhancement of
small business et cetera. Re-use of abandoned or inefficiently used historic buildings is fundamental for
reviving communities and improving quality of life. In order to implement sustainable development strategies
and to improve quality of life it is essential to recognize cultural heritage as a valuable resource and
development incentive. The influence of immovable cultural heritage on implementing strategies of
sustainable development, the role of cultural heritage in the context of globalization as a basic means for
avoiding the trend of cultural globalization, creation of sustainable communities and a possible impact of
heritage resources on economic development and resource productivity are discussed in the paper.
Keywords: sustainable development, cultural heritage, community, cultural globalization, economic
globalization.
As it is defined by the World Commission on diversity and identity of the place. One of such
Environment and Development, sustainable features is cultural heritage. Historic buildings and
development is development that meets the needs of cultural landscapes are exactly those elements that
present generation without compromising the abilities create the sense of belonging somewhere, so called
of future generations to meet their own needs [1]. The “sense of place”. Cultural heritage is not just of value
principles of sustainability have already been to the individuals who own it or live in historic
acknowledged in economic development and properties, it can also have a value to well-being and
especially in industries related to resource use, though quality of life of communities, can help mitigate the
a broadened concept of sustainable development impacts of cultural globalization and can become an
includes environmental, economic, social and cultural incentive for sustainable development.
aspects. Thinking of sustainable development in a Another important role of cultural heritage
broader context, the role of cultural heritage becomes striving for sustainable development is its relation
evident. with resource productivity and economic
It is generally recognized that the 21st century development. Preservation of cultural heritage is
will be a century of globalization. Notwithstanding all oftentimes understood as a barrier to economic
the benefits of economic globalization, it causes the development. Of course preservation of cultural
substantive threat of cultural globalization. Therefore, heritage is first and foremost organized to maintain
it is fundamental for every community to identify and and enhance cultural values, though numbers of
maintain its own characteristic features that reflect studies have demonstrated positive economic benefits
Cultural Heritage in the Context of Sustainable Development
of cultural heritage preservation. Better use of cultural diversity of the population [5]. In general, the
existing immovable cultural heritage, especially concept of sustainable development includes not only
empty properties, is an essential part of a strategy for environmental, but also economic, social and cultural
reviving communities and improving quality of life. aspects and is based on the main principles of
Regrettably, the potential of derelict historic buildings integrity of the ecosystem, economic efficiency,
and territories is usually disregarded striving for fast social and intergenerational equity and cultural
economic benefits. Due to such imprudent behavior diversity.
vast territories are developed inefficiently, energy is Primarily, the efforts striving for sustainable
wasted, residential territories are losing their identity, development were concentrated on traditional
transport efficiency is diminished and life quality is economic activities, such as agriculture, mining,
worsened. In order to implement sustainable forestry, fishery and manufacturing rather than on
development strategies and to improve quality of life, cultural diversity or population well-being [5].
it is essential to use the potential of cultural heritage, However, the loss of a sense of place in communities
especially the possibilities embodied in abandoned became a factor of vital concern in the context of
historic buildings and territories. cultural globalization and the main aspect striving for
The aim of the paper is to analyse the influence sustainable communities and sustainable historic
of immovable cultural heritage on implementing environment.
strategies of sustainable development, to discuss the
role of cultural heritage in the context of globalization
as a basic means for avoiding the trend of cultural 3. Cultural heritage and sustainable
globalization, creating sustainable communities and development
the possible impact of heritage resources on economic
development and resource productivity. Speculative developments driven by short term
interests cause a substantial threat to cultural heritage
and historic environment. Cultural heritage and
2. The concept of sustainable development historic environment are not just of value to
individuals who own or live in historic properties.
Traditional approaches of environment Cultural heritage can also have the value to the well-
protection were concentrated on limiting the impacts being and quality of life of communities, can help
on the natural and, to some extent on social and prevent cultural globalization, sustain cultural
cultural environment. The main concern of such diversity and positively affect economic development
approaches was repair, and the perspective was short [6]. According to D. Rypkema, thinking in a broader
time orientated [2]. However, over the recent decades context, the role of heritage striving for sustainable
the concept of sustainable development has evolved. development is absolutely clear: preserving cultural
At the end of sixties, with the general theory of heritage provides environmental sustainability,
systems introduced by Von Bertalanffy, a new model cultural sustainability and economic sustainability [7].
was proposed for the description of reality, with the
aim of creating a common ground between the natural
and social sciences. This theory has provided the 3.1. Cultural heritage and sustainable
opportunity for a more intense dialogue between the communities
disciplines concerning nature and society and it has
generated a scientific paradigm of sustainable The main feature of the 21st century is
development [3]. According to D. Throsby, the globalization. It is universally acknowledged that this
concept of sustainable development merges the ideas phenomenon will affect every country despite its
of sustainable economic development, keeping in political or economic system. According to many
mind ‘development’ that will not slow down and, in economists, the most significant impacts of
some sense, will be self-perpetuating, and ‘ecological globalization will not occur on national or even
sustainability’ meaning the maintenance and provincial levels, the strongest impacts will be local
enhancement of environmental values [1]. The and primarily will affect communities and their
concept of sustainable development has already been citizens [4]. As D. Rypkema states, globalization must
acknowledged in the field of economic development, be understood as two distinct phenomena: cultural
though a broadened notion of sustainable globalization and economic globalization. Some
development acknowledges the importance of other scientists state that cultural globalization is an
sustainability aspects, such as functional sustainability inevitable consequence of economic globalization,
of public infrastructure, the fiscal sustainability of though the others suggest that those two different
local government, physical sustainability of the built phenomena, while interrelated, are not inevitably
environment and cultural sustainability of local linked. It is recognized that economic globalization
traditions and skills [4]. The notion of sustainability has many positive benefits, meanwhile cultural
involves rethinking development to integrate globalization has significant negative social, political,
environmental, economic, social and cultural goals. cultural and economic consequences in a short and in
To be sustainable, development must foster protection a long term [7]. The ongoing destruction of cultural
and rehabilitation of ecological systems, improve heritage, privatization and commercialization of
economic efficiency and enhance the well being and historic environment and public space, transforming
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them into shopping centers, entertainment districts or ‘core indicators’ within a sustainable development
spaces flooded with car-traffic, foster the erosion of strategy. The strategy states clearly that fostering
neighborhoods and communities [2]. Everywhere local distinctiveness and sustaining cultural heritage
becomes the same as everywhere else and are the keys of building sustainable communities [8].
communities from being ‘someplace’ become Another contribution towards implementing the
‘anyplace’. strategy for sustainable development of the United
If smaller or larger communities tend to succeed Kingdom is the Communities Plan adopted by the
in economic globalization, they have to become or Deputy Prime Minister in 2003. The Communities
remain competitive, though their success will be Plan is a long-term program of action for creating and
measured not just by their ability to stimulate maintaining sustainable communities in rural and
economic globalization, but also by their ability to urban areas. The plan lists a set of key requirements
mitigate cultural globalization [7]. The threat of for sustainable communities among which a sense of
cultural globalization requires the decisions at the place, a safe and healthy local environment with well-
local, regional and national levels to secure that designed public and green space, a diverse vibrant and
globalized culture will not emerge. In order to creative local culture encouraging pride in the
mitigate the consequences of this phenomenon, every community and cohesion with it are included [6].
community has to identify its own characteristic It is evident that protection and maintenance of
features that can be competitive in a global market immovable cultural heritage play a crucial role for
and help sustain cultural diversity and reach the goals sustainability of communities, because all the cultural
of sustainable development [4]. One of such assets, theater, music, visual arts, crafts, local customs
distinctive features definitely is cultural heritage. and traditions, are inherently connected with and
In the past economic competitiveness and well- enhanced by the physical context within which they
being of the community were basically determined by were created and evolved for centuries [4]. It is
geographic location and resource factors, though in acknowledged that cultural resources will play a
the 21st century there also exist significant factors, do significant role in sustainable cultural, social,
not depending on geographic location, that influence economic development of communities, so the
economic development and well-being of physical fabric, that has influenced their creation, has
communities. These factors are referred to as Five also to be maintained.
Senses of Quality Communities: sense of place, sense
of identity, sense of evolution, sense of ownership and
sense of community. The expression ‘sense of place’ 3.2. Cultural heritage and sustainable economic
is used to express the particularity of a specific place. development
Sense of identity of the community is shaped by its
attributes that contribute to its differentiation from In the sphere of cultural heritage, the
anywhere else. Sense of evolution is created by the preservation values are critical deciding what to
physical fabric of community that reflects its preserve and how. Even making a typical preservation
functional, cultural, aesthetic and historical evolution. decision reveals many different and sometimes
The notion ‘sense of ownership’ is defined not as an divergent values: artistic, aesthetic and historic
ownership in a legal or property sense, but more values, plus economic values tied with the use of
broadly, as a feeling of an individual sake arising building or other structure under consideration [9]. Of
from a particular place and fellow citizens. Sense of course, preservation of cultural heritage is primarily
community expresses the obligations to and organized to maintain and enhance cultural values, as
interconnectedness with other citizens of community D. Rypkema states in the long run the economic
[4, 2]. It is obvious that cultural heritage is the impact of heritage preservation is far less important
element that shapes the so called five senses: historic than its environmental, cultural, aesthetic and social
buildings and historic environment create the senses impacts. However, many of those agents who have
of belonging somewhere, of social traditions and of the greatest influence on heritage preservation,
cultural identity of historic continuity and foster the property owners, investors, bankers or government
senses of ownership and responsibility. officials, mostly care about the economic aspects of
Numbers of countries, cities and communities cultural heritage [7]. But even in the economic
have decided to develop individual measures for context the value of cultural heritage and the use of its
reaching the goals of sustainable development. preservation are evident. A number of studies
Preservation of cultural heritage and maintenance of implemented around the world have demonstrated
historic environment play a significant role in many positive economic benefits of cultural heritage and
strategies of sustainable development. For example, heritage preservation.
the government of the United Kingdom has Cultural heritage can be valued in a wide variety
recognized that cultural heritage and historic of ways, from the aesthetic and emotional pleasure
environment can play a significant role towards gained from experiencing heritage sites, to the value
meeting the defined sustainability targets [6]. The of those sites as generators of revenue, jobs and
government of the country has established a series of training opportunities [6]. Various economic benefits
indicators against which a progress towards can be generated by cultural heritage and its
sustainable development is measured. The number of preservation. The basic of them are job and household
buildings at risk are recognized as one of the 147 income creation, job training, city center
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I. Gražulevičiūtė
Midlands are affected by low demand and abandoned occupy over the long-term than a more modern
[6]. Due to such short term interests driven building. Due to the quality and life-span of the
development, vast territories are developed construction materials, the maintenance of the
inefficiently, then energy is wasted, residential Victorian house costs almost 1000 £ per 100m2 less
territories lose their identity, transport efficiency is than the maintenance of the property constructed in
diminished and life quality is worsened in the centers 1980s [6].
as well as in the edges of smaller and larger The governments of developed and developing
settlements. countries striving to implement sustainable
Vacant land and greenfields are neither development strategies and to improve quality of life
renewable nor expanding the resources. The in communities must recognize the value of historic
appropriate and effective use of abandoned or buildings and their repair and regeneration have to be
inefficiently used historic buildings and territories can welcomed rather than their demolition and
contribute towards saving non-renewable resources, replacement or construction in the vacant land.
enhancing sustainable economic development and
improving quality of life. It does not mean that
retention of ageing buildings is favored in every 4. Conclusions
instance, though the re-use of existing properties can
significantly contribute to the identity and Sustainable development can be defined as the
distinctiveness of an area [6]. development integrating environmental, economic,
One of possible ways to demonstrate the social and cultural goals. The trend of economic
economic benefits and contributions towards resource globalization carries a substantial threat of cultural
productivity of the re-use of historic buildings is to globalization. The loss of distinctiveness of the built
evaluate the energy savings represented by the re-use environment and identity of the place are the main
of existing ageing buildings instead of replacing them concerns striving for sustainable development of
with new constructions. The research implemented in communities. Numerous studies and researches
the United Kingdom has indicated that the energy implemented around the world have demonstrated
produced from non-renewable resources consumed in that cultural heritage and its preservation can
building services accounts for about half of the significantly contribute towards reaching the targets
emissions of carbon dioxide in the United Kingdom. of sustainable development.
Besides, over 90 percent of non-energy minerals Nowadays preservation of cultural heritage has
extracted in Great Britain are used to supply the to be considered not only as a means for preserving
construction industry with materials, and each year physical fabric and sustaining cultural values, but as
circa 70 million tones of construction and demolition an incentive for enhancing cultural diversity, sense of
materials and soil become waste [14]. Moreover, new place and sustainable economic development. Various
construction is not necessarily less expensive or more economic benefits can be derived from cultural
profitable than rehabilitation and re-use of existing heritage and its preservation. Historic buildings and
historic buildings. The study by D. Rypkema sites are generators of income, jobs and training
implemented in 1991 has demonstrated that, if no opportunities, they contribute towards product
demolition is required, a commercial rehabilitation of differentiation of communities. Preservation of
existing buildings will cost approximately from 12 cultural heritage enhances import substitution, revival
percent less to 9 percent more than comparable new of city centers, heritage tourism, influences increase
construction. The typical cost saving in rehabilitating in property values. Historic properties stimulate small
the existing buildings is 4 percent. If a new business incubation and are compatible with
construction requires, including the costs of modernization and evolving needs of modern society.
demolishing an existing building, the cost savings In order to implement the sustainable
from rehabilitation should range from 3 to 16 percent development strategies, the value of historic buildings
[10]. is to be recognized and their repair and regeneration
The stock of existing buildings constitutes in has to be welcomed instead of their demolition and
itself a substantial investment of energy and capital, replacement or construction in the vacant land.
which should not be wasted demolishing them and Historic environment and cultural heritage need to be
constructing new buildings. Though the energy acknowledged as valuable resources and development
embodied in ageing structures is not the only factor incentives.
making decisions about their future. The costs of
maintenance and occupancy of older buildings have
also to be taken into account when reaching the goals References
of sustainable development. It is often considered that
maintenance of older buildings is more costly, due to 1. Throsby D. Economics and Culture. Cambridge:
variety of factors related to their size, constructions, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
heating systems and propensity to damp. Though the 2. Hassler U., Algreen-Ussing G., Kohler N. Cultural
research carried out in the United Kingdom for the Heritage and sustainable Development in SUIT
(Sustainable Development of Urban historic areas
heritage preservation organization English Heritage through and active Integration within Towns).
has demonstrated that, contrary to earlier thinking, an
older housing actually costs less to maintain and
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Cultural Heritage in the Context of Sustainable Development
Indrė Gražulevičiūtė
Kauno technologijos universitetas, Statybos ir architektūros fakultetas, Architektūros ir kraštotvarkos katedra
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