In cities worldwide, built heritage faces pressure from both over- and under-development. Urban areas often struggle to balance the need for conservation with the demand for progress. At the same time, the importance of heritage in contemporary cities is growing. Our short course Urban Heritage Strategies for African Cities aims to enhance understanding of the complex relationship between urban development and heritage management. In this interview, course coordinator Jean-Paul Corten discusses the challenges, tools, and concepts that participants will explore.
Adapting is key
This year's course is designed for urban professionals from South-Africa, Ghana, Egypt and Morocco. Jean-Paul states that urban development today is not solely about planning new spaces, but also about adapting existing urban areas to meet societal needs. The key question is: how can the existing historic features serve current and future demands? Conversely, this requires identifying developments that can sustain and enhance the historic features in question.
"Defined in this way, heritage strategies are at the core of a modern urban development policy."
Addressing urban challenges hands-on
Historic centres of African cities are facing challenges due to rapid urbanisation, climate change, or modernisation. The course addresses these by focusing on topical urban challenges that are affecting cities globally. These include climate adaptation such as water challenges, sustainable development and resilience, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and governance, which emphasises stakeholder participation. Each working group in the UHS course will identify a specific urban challenge to explore in detail throughout the course.
During the course, the participants will acquire practical skills in strategic action planning - a hands-on tool in bringing solutions to urban challenges.
Case studies
Jean-Paul explains that during the course, a key historic site from each partner country will be used as a learning case: Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, the Forts and Castles in Ghana, the historic quarter of Cairo, and the Medina of Rabat. South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, and Egypt are partner countries in the Dutch Policy Framework on International Cultural Cooperation. Currently, these countries face challenges in understanding the relevance of heritage sites to contemporary society. This is why the course will help participants come up with strategic action plans for these historic urban cores.
Lasting impact
Jean-Paul is hopeful about the long-lasting impact of the course. The participants will acquire skills in action planning that they can apply in their hometowns. Additionally, they will build an international network of professionals, which is integral for ensuring a vibrant future for the historic cities to which they will return.
They will also gain essential knowledge on the economic, social, environmental and cultural dimensions the urban heritage contains.
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- More information
The course is developed by the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (part of Erasmus University Rotterdam) in close cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.
