LANDSAPE POLICY AND HERITAGE IN IRELAND

Presentation byMICHAEL STARRETTChief Executive The Heritage Council of Ireland

CHeriScape ConferenceGhent 1-2 July 2014

, Architectural Policy & Urban Design, DAHG

What is landscape? What is heritage?“Landscape is an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human forces.”

-the national heritage of Ireland is defined as including

“...monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, LANDSCAPES, SEASCAPES, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens, parks and inland waterways.” The Heritage Act 1995

European Landscape Convention: Article 1

Confluence of ideas and thinking - ELC- Landscape has an important public interest role in the cultural, ecological, environmental and social fields and constitutes a resource favourable to economic activity and the protection, management and planning of which can contribute to job creation- Landscape contributes to the formation of local cultures and is a basic component of the European Natura and Cultural Heritage, contributing to human well being and consolidation of the European identity

“AS IT WAS” and “AS IT WILL BE” for heritage management and conservation including landscapes

· Purely about protection and set aside for conservation -no significance attached to links between natural and cultural heritage · Managed mainly forvisitors and tourists

-developed with social andeconomic objectives · managed and developed for scientific, economic and cultural reasons -integrated and multidisciplinary approach - local people driving initiatives And Valued for the culturalimportance

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Establishing a Landscape Observatory of Ireland

- Introducing a Landscape Ireland Act

- Landscape Proofing existing primary legislation, government programmes and policies

- Promoting a vibrant research and learning culture on landscape

- Increasing public participation, accessibility and the use of local knowledge in landscape management

2010 Proposals for Ireland’s Landscapes9

Mountmellik, Co Laois

• Recognise landscape in law• Develop a National LCA• Develop Landscape Policies• Increase Landscape Awareness• Identify Education & Training needs• Involving the Public

National Landscape Strategy - Objectives

The Heritage Council has a vision.

That vision is

to enable communities in Ireland to realise the potential contribution our national heritage can make in improving the quality of all our lives through assisting Ireland’s social, economic and environmental development

SPECIFIC ACTIONS TO DELIVER

Next Steps