What is it about?
This article is about the emerging intersection of technology and cultural heritage in city planning, called "Smart Heritage." The idea is that by using smart technologies and strategies used in "Smart Cities," local governments can better manage and present their historical and cultural heritage. The researchers looked at strategic documents from three local governments in Australia to see how they're integrating smart technologies with their heritage preservation efforts. They found that while it's still a relatively new concept, Smart Heritage is starting to appear in local government policies and initiatives. Smart Heritage is more advanced than previous digital heritage applications. It allows cities to create self-curating historical narratives, essentially using technology to tell the stories of their history and culture more dynamically. The article suggests that city planners and policy professionals may need to adjust their thinking to accommodate this new approach. It encourages them to recognize the connections between the Smart City and Heritage discourses and consider how Smart Heritage might fit into their city's aspirations and capacities.
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Why is it important?
The concept of 'Smart Heritage' is important for several reasons: Enhanced Preservation: It can aid in preserving cultural and historical heritage, which urban development and changing societal values can often threaten. By using smart technologies, local governments can ensure these valuable heritage assets are preserved and maintained in a more organized and efficient way. Engaging Narratives: Smart Heritage can create engaging narratives about a city's history and culture. This can attract tourists, educate citizens, and foster a sense of community pride in a city's unique heritage. Informed Planning: Understanding a city's heritage can help inform future planning and development decisions, ensuring new developments respect and integrate with the existing cultural and historical landscape. Policy Evolution: As an emerging field, integrating Smart Heritage into local government policies signifies the evolution of cultural preservation methods. It indicates a shift in how cities manage and engage with their heritage, embracing digital transformation. Tailored Solutions: Smart technologies allow for more personalized experiences for visitors and locals alike, enhancing the overall cultural experience. This can result in increased tourism and community engagement. Sustainable Development: Understanding and preserving cultural heritage is key to sustainable urban development. Smart Heritage aligns with broader goals of creating sustainable, livable urban environments.
Perspectives
From a technological standpoint, my research highlights the expanding role that digital systems are playing in our society. The concept of 'Smart Heritage' demonstrates how technology can be leveraged creatively and unexpectedly to manage and present historical and cultural heritage. I show that technology is not just about the future but can also be used to preserve and interpret the past, offering a new dimension to how we perceive and interact with technology in our everyday lives. I believe that from a cultural perspective, 'Smart Heritage' plays a significant role in preserving, interpreting and showcasing a city's heritage. Creating engaging, self-curating narratives of a city's history and culture fosters a stronger connection between communities and their heritage. It also opens up new ways for people to engage and interact with their city's historical and cultural narratives, strengthening their ties to their community and their understanding of their city's identity. From a policy perspective, the introduction of 'Smart Heritage' into local government strategic documents represents an important shift in how cities understand and value their heritage. This shift reflects a growing recognition that heritage is not just about preserving the past; it's also about shaping the future. By integrating 'Smart Heritage' into their strategies, local governments can ensure that their heritage is preserved and actively contributes to the development and identity of the city.
Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel
Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Smart heritage in local government strategic documents, Australian Planner, April 2022, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/07293682.2022.2116463.
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