Community Heritage

The benefits of heritage conservation for communities and municipalities are wide ranging. Economic benefits can include increased property values, tourism and local job creation. There are also the social benefits of the improved quality of life that meaningful architecture and landscapes can bring to a place. Environmentally, the re-use and re-adaptation of historic structures reduces both landfill waste and the significant energy required for new materials and construction. Culturally, heritage led revitalization which recognizes the unique history of a place leads to a strong local identity, cultural diversity and community engagement

Community Projects

Local community and municipal heritage projects can include:
- A comprehensive survey of all the buildings within a community provides valuable information about its architectural trends, context and development, and can inform context papers, statements of significance and POIL’s.
- A POIL (Places of Interest List) is a subset of buildings which represent significant individuals, landmarks, themes, activities, events, institutions, architectural styles and design in a community. 
- Inventory of historic sites - places on the list can be prioritized to be researched and evaluated for inclusion on an inventory. 
- Management plans identify the actions that will conserve the heritage value of historic places and the team which will implement them. 

The Ramsay project for one of Calgary’s three earliest inner city communities included a context paper, a places of interest list and the research and evaluations for 20 sites for the city’s inventory.

 

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Context Paper


A context paper is often the best starting point for a community heritage project. It lays the groundwork by identifying the significant cultural and historical themes, events and people associated with the area. The paper characterizes how the community has been shaped by its geography, natural and pre-contact history, archaeology and town planning influences, land use and transportation patterns and trends in building styles and design. It can also serve as a reference and framework for the evaluation of the community’s heritage resources, the selection of Places of Interest and the community statement of significance. Ramsay Historical Context Paper link.

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Statement of Significance

Community SOS- what is it – preserve the important xxx evident in the landscape strong sense of place building trends and cultural landscapes and streetscapes;

 

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Site Evaluations and Statements of Significance

Historic places have heritage value in their own right as well as strong associations with their wider context. They often play a pivotal role in the community as part of a complete communities – list them, including green spaces – use Litchfield -. Communities are made up of individual heritage sites some of these components can be looked at xxx such as commercial Main Streets, residential streets of architectural interest now – make the transition to individual sites – below – contribution to the community, may even define the community – link to city processes
Heritage evaluations and Statements of Significance (SOS’s) /heritage evaluations – use province! Explain – analysis – spatial – CDE’s, Statement of Significance, including the heritage value, character defining elements and integrity – look at city process (link) - Researched and analyzed heritage resources to determine heritage value, integrity and character defining elements; - don’t forget apartments!

 

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Residential

Stepney Prefabricated Residence

Commercial

Nimmons Ranch House 

Industrial

Residential architecture can symbolize the heritage value of their communities - working class homes, post-war veteran housing, xxxlist  

Institutional

Cultural Landscapes

Structures

 

Volunteer Projects

Heritage happens at many levels. Being involved with my own city, historic community and Edwardian home have enabled me to appreciate the benefits of heritage management first hand and to see things from the client’s needs. I continue to become familiar with global best practice so I can think global and act local.

Community Heritage

Heritage Director, Cliff Bungalow-Mission community association, Calgary Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources -from 21 to 40 in 2008/9. Cultural landscapes: Listing and plaquing of historic trees and heritage plantings on the Alberta Heritage Tree Project inventory, historic bridge and park naming and protection; Awareness projects: historic walking tours for Jane’s Walk and Historic Calgary Week, CBMCA plaque programmes, historic street and gateway signs, history book, newsletter articles, web page, Rouleauville-Mission historic district nomination.

Calgary Initiatives

Calgary Community Heritage Roundtable (since 2006) - Founding member, steering committee member and event organizer for the city-wide organization, which hosts quarterly public educational sessions on current heritage subjects, and provides a networking forum for individuals and other heritage associations.
Century Homes 2012 (since 2011) – Organizer, project manager, director of community coordinators, planning and logistics for city-wide Century Homes Celebration

 

International Connections

As the University of York Conservation Studies Alumni, Americas co-ordinator I stay active with the alumni association. Conservation Studies alumni networking initiatives, publications and study tours help to maintain lifelong relationships among international students, conservation specialists and organizations.