Impact Assessment as an entry point for an active conservation
of built cultural heritage in historical city revitalisation – SUIT project
Albert Dupagne, University of Liege (Belgium)
Problem statement
Contributing to the definition of a Community strategy aimed at promoting a sustainable
development of European cities is presently acknowledged as a major challenge for the
whole scientific community. The integration of environmental concerns in urban revitalisation
policies is part and parcel of this important target. As a matter of fact, any urban intervention
showing little consideration for keeping an acceptable balance between the whole set of
values in competition, can be very detrimental to the development of a fair social cohesion
and to an efficient conservation of cultural heritage.
In the present context of globalisation (socio-economic impacts) / localisation (cultural and
socio-environmental impact), this will, for sure, have a strong influence on governance
methods and would promote more democratic citizenship organisation. A transformation of
the present one-side information process to actual double-side deliberative governance
procedures can be expected.
European historical areas are ‘living systems', involving social dynamics, technical and
building networks, cultural assets and the presence of people living in it. Their sound
conservation requires keeping them within sustainable development activity cycles, which
implies their active integration in present urban life.
As a consequence the active conservation of historical areas should fall under three
European directives: 90/313/EEC, on access to information and public participation
complemented by the Aarhus Convention; the Environmental Impact Assessment directive
(97/11/EC); the Strategic Environmental Assessment directive (2001/42/EC).
Scientific objectives and approach
Using these procedures as a reference framework, the SUIT research will establish a flexible
and consistent Environmental Assessment methodology to ensure compatibility with the
conservation requirements of cultural heritage and urban development. This general
objective has been declined along three tangible research activities :

Development of a generic and integrated Environmental Assessment methodology,
designed to last in the conservation process from the identification of urban heritage
issues to the evaluation of effectiveness of the adopted measures. It intends to help
making long-term planning based on more reliable forecasting.

Development of modelling tools and assessment methodologies devoted to historical
areas quality analysis, capable to support a trans-sectorial approach to solve problems
and plan new activities.

Development of knowledge and ability training supports to encourage experts,
stakeholders and decision-makers to gain a common urban culture throughout the
process and to improve the acceptability of proposed design measures and policies.
Expected impacts
The outcomes of the research is mainly be targeted at municipalities and town councils. Yet
its level of genericity suggests it would also have a significant impact on EU Environmental
Policies. However, it has been considered that the main operational outcome of the project
should consist of the camera-ready version of a "Guideline about the Environmental
Assessment of the effects of certain plans, programmes or projects upon the heritage value
and long-term sustainability of historical area".