This transdisciplinary 1-day course provides training and knowledge exchange for those involved in managing complex change (including the potential for substantial harm or loss) in heritage assets and landscapes. It is aimed at a cross sector audience, including historic and natural environment practitioners, cultural resource consultants, regulatory and local planning authorities, landscape architects, curators, and ecological surveyors. In-person and online participation is possible.
We will review environmental drivers for change in the historic environment (in UK and international contexts), discuss a range of established and emerging options for managing anticipated impacts, and then explore approaches with an ‘ecocultural’ emphasis, seeking integrated historic and natural environment outcomes. Participants will gain awareness of relevant policy developments and develop confidence in applying new approaches and navigating context-specific challenges.
Detailed case studies will ground exploration of key themes, leading participants in thinking about how to define, accept and learn from (partial or total) loss in the historic environment, and how to assess the risks and rewards associated with adaptive, integrated approaches. The programme includes contributions from National Trust and Historic England staff directly involved in developing policy and practice to address the challenges explored in the course. In the afternoon, those attending in person will be invited to share cases from their own work in a participatory workshop applying the approaches introduced in the morning session.