Empowering Heritage for a Sustainable Future

Capturing the spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing, this photo showcases the participants of the ‘Designing with Water: Sustainable Pathways for Heritage Cities and Community Empowerment’ symposium. Hosted in 2024, the event brought together experts, academics, and practitioners to explore innovative solutions for sustainable heritage conservation and urban planning. With a focus on community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cutting-edge practices, the symposium was a milestone in fostering partnerships and addressing global challenges. A heartfelt thank you to all attendees, speakers, and contributors for making this event a resounding success!

Symposium Presentations, 2024

We are thrilled to share the knowledge and insights presented at the “Designing with Water: Sustainable Pathways for Heritage Cities and Community Empowerment” symposium. Below, you will find downloadable presentations from our expert speakers, offering valuable perspectives on sustainable heritage conservation and urban resilience.

Associate Professor, Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln, UK

“Opportunities and Challenges in Community-Based Learning.“

• Abstract: This talk starts with the concept of The Commons and the different ways this can be interpreted once we start looking at the management of water and heritage sites. Cornish Heritage Sites are introduced as a (non-urban) context for this discussion along with a UK National Nonprofit organisation – The National Trust. Both demonstrate a variety of ways of managing/maintaining the commons. The opportunities and challenges of Community-Based Learning as a way of organising knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and co-ordinating collective action are then briefly discussed. Participants are then invited to reflect on the opportunities and challenges posed by their own experiences of designing with water and the contrasts between urban and non-urban contexts.

Key Words: Community-Based Learning, Sustainable Systems Thinking, Sustainable Development, Nonprofit Management

Architect Designer, Heritage and Conservation Architecture practitioner, Arup UKIMEA

“Understanding Water Heritage: From Cultural Roots to Conservation“

• Abstract: Water is an integral part of human culture. Traditional water systems represent human efforts to capture or deliver water, often utilizing distinctive indigenous methods and structures. The global emerging discourse on water heritage highlights the role water plays in addressing current and future challenges, including climate change. In India, water heritage sites such as stepwells and kulams provide insights into the intersection of water, heritage, and gender. Not only is this cultural heritage worth conserving, but it also serves as a source of inspiration for creating sustainable solutions. Arup’s heritage projects in the UK, in the diverse environments of Lincolnshire and Dover tell rich stories about the deep connections between our places and the history of their rivers, docks, and coastlines.

Key Words: Traditional Water Systems, Water Heritage, Cultural Heritage, Sustainable Solutions

Professor of Practice, Nottingham Business School, University of Nottingham, UK

“How can a sense of place approach help the public connect to Brayford Pool’s medieval heritage?”

• Abstract: It is challenging for people to perceive a particular aspect of an area’s rich history when it is not obvious, prominent, or interpreted (Hunt, 2021). This article draws on and develops this assertion by establishing the importance of the Brayford Pool in the Medieval Period (1066–1540) and explores the challenges people face when perceiving the influence of this time period within the current landscape. The article uses the perception aspect of Sense of Place as a framework to suggest that these challenges may be overcome through shared authority and public curation. The article argues that this approach could help to re-establish the importance of the area during the medieval period. The article then considers how the principal of shared authority might be applied to create a public history project on the medieval history of the area, owned by the different communities who live, work, study, and engage in leisure activities on and around Brayford Pool. Finally, it considers the way in which this might impact positively on the other aspects of a Sense of Place: how people value a place, how people describe and interact with it, and the importance of its sustainability.

Key Words: Medieval Period, Public History Project, Different Communities, Sustainability

Senior Lecturer in Heritage & Conservation, School of History and Heritage, University of Lincoln, UK

“Cultural heritage, climate change and adaptation planning – An Overview“

• Abstract: In this presentation Climate Change (CC) adaptation planning for cultural heritage will be discussed with reference to policy and research undertaken by the author, mainly in Ireland. In 2019 the Irish government produced a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Built and Archaeological Heritage. This is now being implemented by the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht. The presentation will provide an overview of adaptation and look in more detail at risk assessment s as a first step in understanding CC impacts. The best way to protect our heritage from CC is to reduce GHG emissions and reduce global warming. Cultural heritage has an important role to play and emphasising the co-benefits of heritage is one of our tasks.

Key Words: Climate Change Adaptation, Cultural Heritage, Archaeological Heritage, Risk Assessments, Global Warming

Professor in Town and Regional Planning, Deputy Dean for Academic and Research Affairs, Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design, Naresuan University, Thailand

“Designing with water: A challenge for locals to live with flooding by the Yom River Sukhothai in Thailand”

• Abstract: Sukhothai was the first Kingdom of Siam or Thailand nowadays (1238-1438). The city was located in the Lower Northern Region of Thailand. Outstanding universal value of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns has been designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Historical Park since 1991 (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/574/). Sukhothai Ancient Town represents a waterscape design, irrigation system aligned with heritage monuments, archaeological buildings and landscapes. Sukhothai historic town reflects good practice in connecting water with natural drainage system well; however, a great number of heritage monuments in historic park have been affected by impacts from climate change. Sukhothai historic park has faced with climate challenges in terms of drought and flooding due to changing seasonality. Flooding seem not problematic in ancient town due to a well waterscape system; on the other hand, the new city centre has become vulnerable places for flooding resulting in a building of high flood walls which can be seen along the Yom River. Impacts of climate changes can been seen in different aspects depending on different locations. Over the last decade, a great number of communities located by the Yom River has been inundated due to long-stay flooding. Interestingly, traditional knowledge how people living with water become encouraged approaches to sustain water-based community to address flooding challenges in more resilient future. Yang Sai village is a pilot area affected by annual flooding to rebuild elderly locals’ houses designed by students’ water-based architectural design project (Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design, Naresuan University). Recently, there are 4 new stilts houses have been constructed under a joint collaboration from more than 80 volunteers and local residents around the ASIAN and the Pacific Region. This project reflects to push design and planning into more climate-action (SDG 13) by bringing youth engagement to enhance climate adaptation to support elderly householders leading to a co-creation of flood-resilient community across lifelong learning intergeneration.

Key Words: Historic Towns, UNESCO World Heritage, Waterscape Design, Climate Challenges, Resilient Future

Senior Civil Engineer, ARUP

“Case study – Mansfield large scale SuDS retrofit for Severn Trent Water”

• Abstract: The Mansfield SFR project is the largest retrofit SuDS flood resilience scheme in the UK.  Arup provided multidisciplinary services including strategic masterplanning, landscape architecture, hydraulic modelling, civil engineering design, ground engineering and ecological appraisal to support Severn Trent in their delivery of the scheme. A variety of SuDS types were designed, and have been constructed, including detention basins, bioswales, raingardens and permeable paving across the whole town. The project provides flood risk benefits to improve flood resilience, as well as amenity and biodiversity benefits. The scheme aims to provide social value to the community of Mansfield by generating more green space and connection to nature, making Mansfield an example of what’s possible for similar communities across the country.

Key Words: Sustainable Flood Resilience Project, Retrofit SuDs, Surface Water Storage

Symposium Photo Gallery, 2024

Explore key moments from the “Designing with Water: Sustainable Pathways for Heritage Cities and Community Empowerment” symposium. These photos highlight engaging discussions, inspiring presentations, and meaningful connections made during the event.

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• Browse the gallery below to relive the event highlights.

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