The IHBC and Built Environment Forum Scotland, the sector’s link body for Scotland’s non-governmental organisations, have issues a joint press release highlighting the benefits of historic places as a key resource for Scotland.
The statement reports as follows:
Historic places are a valuable resource, attracting people, activity and investment, giving new life to their communities and helping make places more competitive. They play a central role in regenerating towns, cities and rural areas across the country, especially helping to repopulate inner-city areas.
The Institute for Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is the key professional body for building and historic environment conservation and exists to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment for the benefit of all.
To thrive, historic places need specialist and cross-disciplinary management skills that organisations such as the IHBC can provide, drawing on the highest professional standards, nationally and internationally. The upcoming Scottish Elections are an opportunity for candidates and parties to recognise and pledge their support for historic places.
Seán O’Reilly, Director of IHBC Scotland, stated: ‘The IHBC is committed to making development more sustainable. Maintaining and converting historic buildings is a way of conserving the resources used to build them, and minimising the carbon emissions associated with demolition and redevelopment. Historic places often better cater for the needs of pedestrians and accommodate mixed uses and varied rental levels, essential to nurturing small businesses and encouraging innovation.
The IHBC Scotland Branch is a member of the Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS). The IHBC Scotland Branch and BEFS are working together to put people at the heart of places and to promote access to the historic environment for all.’
Contact: Mary Craig, Communications Officer: 0131 220 6241
Notes:
The Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) is a membership organisation bringing together voluntary and professional non-governmental organisations that operate at the national level and represent people who work within the built environment sector. Through its members, BEFS connects with over 325,000 individuals through 540 organisations.
As an umbrella organisation BEFS informs, mediates and advocates on strategic issues affecting both the historic and contemporary elements within the Scottish built environment. In defining the Built Environment and the Historic Environment, BEFS accepts the widest interpretation of the terms, reflecting its inclusive approach and its members are involved in a wide range of activities within the sector.
Adopting an integrated approach, our aim is to secure better places in Scotland by developing the right conditions for achieving places that are of good quality, that are valued, that work for people that are distinctly Scottish.
The Institute for Historic Building Conservation(IHBC) is the key professional body for building and historic environment conservation and exists to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment for the benefit of all.
IHBC membership comes from a range of professional disciplines in the public, private and voluntary sectors, including conservation officers, planners, architects, regeneration practitioners and academics. The work of members varies from overseeing small-scale traditional repairs to managing multi-million pound area regeneration projects.
BEFS Article: LINK
