How can community engagement improve historic preservation?

1 What is community engagement?

Community engagement is the process of involving people who live, work, or have an interest in a place in the decision-making and actions that affect that place. Community engagement can take many forms, such as consultation, collaboration, co-design, or co-production. Community engagement can help to identify the needs, preferences, and values of the community, as well as to mobilize their resources, skills, and networks.

3 How to design effective community engagement for historic preservation?

When designing an effective community engagement approach for historic preservation, it is important to define the purpose and scope of the engagement, as well as the roles and expectations of the stakeholders involved. A stakeholder analysis should be conducted to identify key groups and individuals who have an interest or influence in the project, and understand their perspectives, interests, and needs. Appropriate methods and tools should be chosen for engagement, such as surveys, interviews, workshops, focus groups, exhibitions, or online platforms. The engagement activities should be implemented in a transparent, inclusive, and respectful way to ensure that the information is clear, accessible, and relevant. Feedback should be acknowledged and incorporated. Finally, it is important to evaluate the impact and outcomes of the engagement, as well as the lessons learned and areas for improvement.

4 What are some examples of community engagement for historic preservation?

Successful community engagement for historic preservation can be seen around the world, such as the Historic Districts Council in New York City, which advocates for the preservation of historic neighborhoods and provides education, outreach, and technical assistance to local communities. In Los Angeles, the Adaptive Reuse Program encourages the conversion of older and historic buildings into new uses with incentives and assistance to developers and owners. The Heritage Lottery Fund in the UK distributes funds from the National Lottery to support heritage projects, involving the community in decision-making and delivery. Lastly, the Participatory Heritage Lab in Barcelona is a research project that explores the potential of digital technologies and participatory methods to engage communities in co-creating and co-managing heritage.

5 What are some challenges and opportunities for community engagement for historic preservation?

Community engagement for historic preservation can be a challenge, as it involves balancing the diverse and often conflicting interests of stakeholders, as well as dealing with the complexity of the preservation process. It can also be difficult to secure adequate resources and support for the project. However, when done right, community engagement for historic preservation can create a shared vision and value for the place, build trust among stakeholders, and foster creativity and learning. It can also enhance the identity and character of the place, as well as strengthen social capital and civic engagement.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?