Edinburgh World Heritage - EWH, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
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This page is about EWHT, Edinburgh Development, Conservation and so on. It is set up by Adrian Welch, and is completely independent of any organisation.
27 Aug 2008
Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage said: “Above all else World Heritage status is an internationally recognised tribute that puts Edinburgh in the premier league of worldwide destinations. If you consider that the list also includes such iconic locations as The Great Wall of China, and the Pyramids of Giza it is easy to see that the status is a great honour.
The criteria for becoming a World Heritage Site are very strictly. It is not enough to simply be a historic site, for example York and Chester are not World Heritage Sites, or to be an important site in the history of the nation. You have to show that your site is unique, with a story that is so compelling it helps us to understand the way all humankind has evolved over time. To have a body such as UNESCO make that kind of judgement about Edinburgh is surely the highest accolade possible.
World Heritage status brings great benefits to the city’s economy. Because of that status the city centre benefits from an extra £750,000 per year from the Scottish Government, which we receive from Historic Scotland and administer via our grants programme. Of course World Heritage status also plays a large part in the way the city is marketed to visitors. It provides the ultimate reassurance of quality for anyone planning a visit. By definition World Heritage Sites are must-see locations that provide an experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
The status also encourages co-operation at a local and international level, and include the city in networks across the world. All World Heritage Sites must have a management plan and Edinburgh’s, published in 2005, brought together the City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Scotland, the Edinburgh City Centre Management Company, SEEL and ourselves in joint vision for the city centre. Edinburgh is also a member of the Organisation of World Heritage Cities, the Local Authority World Heritage Forum, and the Westminster All-Party Group on UK World Heritage Sites. Edinburgh World Heritage regularly hosts delegations from across the world, who come here precisely because the city has this international recognition.
World Heritage status is an important badge of honour for Edinburgh, and a result of urban pride handed down through the generations. It is a much sought after independent guarantee of supreme quality that puts a very positive spotlight on the city. Ultimately World Heritage status asks us to celebrate the things that make Edinburgh unique, the very things that draw people to live, visit or work here.”
WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE MISSION TO EDINBURGH
Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "The UNESCO mission to Edinburgh is an excellent opportunity to learn from their experience with an overview of over 850 World Heritage Sites, while demonstrating our commitment to the conservation of the city’s built heritage through our world-leading repair schemes.
The mission will bring a welcome chance to discuss the vision for the future growth of the city, and to promote the benefits that World Heritage status brings.
The outstanding built heritage of the Old and New Towns makes it an unbeatable place to live, visit or work in, and I look forward to showing the mission the high regard the people of Edinburgh have for their World Heritage Site."
Vienna Memorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture – Managing the Historic Urban Landscape
EDINBURGH WORLD HERITAGE ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR
25 Jan 2008
Edinburgh World Heritage has announced today the appointment of a new director, Adam Wilkinson. Adam will join EWH in April from the campaigning organisation SAVE Britain’s Heritage, where he has been Secretary for the past seven years.
Adam said: “I have always been enchanted by both the immense beauty and story behind Edinburgh’s unique architectural heritage, and so I am delighted to play a part in preserving it for future generations."
The World Heritage site is both architecturally and historically of the highest order of importance, but it is also a living city with a strong identity. It must be seen as a spur to creative and respectful answers to further development, not a barrier to change.
Edinburgh World Heritage has a strong proactive role to play in enabling projects, while also protecting and promoting the enduring values of the World Heritage Site. I greatly look forward to helping shape that role in the future.
Adam’s background in conservation and preservation brings a wealth of experience to EWH. With SAVE he has led campaigns to save a variety of threatened historic buildings, from aircraft test structures at RAE Farnborough to terraced housing targeted under the government’s Pathfinder scheme. He played a key part in the recent initiative to rescue Dumfries House, which saw the John and Robert Adam designed building and its unique collections saved for the nation.
Professor Charles McKean, chairman of Edinburgh World Heritage said: "I am really pleased that Adam is to direct Edinburgh World Heritage. His experience, energy and drive have been demonstrated at SAVE - not least through his involvement with the saving of Dumfries House. He will greatly add to and complement the existing skills of the EWH team. It will be an enormous boost to the organisation and to Edinburgh as a whole, and I greatly look forward to working with him."
John Graham, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland, said: "Adam Wilkinson has a strong background in heritage and I look forward to working with him to protect and promote the World Heritage Site."
Cllr Jenny Dawe, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I look forward to working with Adam in achieving our common goal of maintaining Edinburgh’s World Heritage status whilst promoting sustainable development to ensure the city’s continued prosperity.”
Edinburgh World Heritage Status : current news & views
Adam Wilkinson has been Secretary of SAVE Britain’s Heritage since March 2001. During that time he has played a crucial role in RAE Farnborough, Span 4 at Paddington Station, reducing the demolition targets under the government’s Pathfinder scheme from 400,000 to 50,000, and the campaigns to save Tyntesfield and Dumfries House. His work has included campaigns in Italy and Moscow with Save Europe’s Heritage, and previously assisting with heritage projects in the Kathmandu Valley and Bangladesh for the UNESCO Division of Cultural Heritage.
Adam is a council member of Europa Nostra, a trustee of the Monuments and Mausolea Trust, a committee member of the Churches Conservation Trust, and sits on the board of directors for Maintain our Heritage.
Edinburgh World Heritage is the official champion of the city’s World Heritage Site, and acts to protect, enhance and promote its key historic values. EWH was formed in 1999, and is jointly funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Scotland.
The work of EWH is focused on three core areas:
Influence & Monitor
EWH influences policy, planning and development, promotes good new design and monitors change within the World Heritage Site.
Conserve & Enhance
EWH administers a Conservation Funding Programme to conserve the World Heritage Site.
Promote & Educate
EWH promotes awareness and understanding of the World Heritage Site.
For more details visit www.ewht.org.uk
The centre of Edinburgh was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995.
Edinburgh World Heritage
The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust (EWHT) was created by the amalgamation of the Old Town Renewal Trust and the New Town Conservation Committee in 1999. The Trust is funded by Historic Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.
The aim of The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust is to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Edinburgh UNESCO Site's special architectural or historic interest. EWHT seeks to co-ordinate activities necessary for the protection of the heritage value of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site through controlled development.
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, 5 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
Contact the EWH : 0131 220 7720
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) is the official champion of the city’s World Heritage Site. EWH’s role is to monitor, enhance and promote Edinburgh’s unique historic values. www.ewht.org.uk
Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Taj Mahal, Florence and Prague.
Scottish Architecture
Contact the EWHT: info@ewht.org.uk
Edinburgh Skyline Study hosted at EWHT in 2007
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust chairman : Charles McKean
Edinburgh Walking Tours
Edinburgh : back to index
Buildings / photos for the Edinburgh World Heritage Architecture page welcome:
info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt
Edinburgh World Heritage Site:- www.heritage.edinburgh.gov.uk