About the lecture
Urban planning and heritage conservation are two separate disciplines. By tradition each discipline works within its own paradigm to reach its own objectives. The aim of urban planning is directed towards improving living conditions. Heritage conservation on the other hand wants to pass historical features to future generations. Although the aims differ, the disciplines do not exclude each other. But what is more; experience shows that both disciplines can profit from each other’s efforts and reach better results when they join forces. Historical features can add to the quality of life and identity of the living environment, and therewith serve the goals of the planning discipline. Planning in its turn can provide favourable conditions for conserving historical features. Urban planning may help to provide a base of existence and future perspective to the heritage at stake.
About the expert
Drs. J.P.A.M. (Jean-Paul) Corten obtained his degree in history at Utrecht University and later specialized planning. He started his career as a researcher in the history of technology at Eindhoven University. Currently he is employed as senior policy officer on Integrated Conservation at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science). Besides he is lecturing at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University of Rotterdam. He is involved in many urban regeneration projects abroad.