Heritage for a new urbanity: think differently, live differently

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine explored together new patterns for local development, aimed at improving the welfare and the urban quality of life of citizens within the framework of the "Pilot Project on the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Historic Towns" jointly implemented by the Council of Europe and the European Commission from 2009 to 2012.

The Pilot Project concerned forty five towns, selected for their cultural and natural richness. Together they represent the main cultural, social and economic challenges that the participating countries have to face, within the framework of a civic and inclusive Europe that embraces cultural diversity. The heritage-led approach to urban development implemented in the "Pilot Project on the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Historic Towns" looked at ways of reinvesting in the urbanity, by identifying targeted interventions on the historic heritage in degraded areas.

This process focused particularly on: enhancing available heritage resources; managing existing constraints and pressures; Introducing public debate in the decision-making process; making the best of the existing urban fabric to foster a different kind of modernity.

On the basis of the management and interministerial coordination mechanisms set up during the Preliminary Phase (2010-2011), the rehabilitation projects for historic buildings were part of an integrated urban strategy leading to public and private investment. This in turn encouraged new partnerships involving all the town stakeholders (citizens, elected representatives, civil society and investors) in a sustainable development process, and helped to improve existing procedures and policies, making national and local authority practices more effective.