Heritage Impact Assessment: A Tool for Effective Heritage Management

Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is a process of identifying and assessing the probable effects of any proposed interventions on the heritage value of a site or property. According to Mason and Avrami (2002), it's an essential tool for sustainable management of heritage sites, as it is incorporated in the planning phase for the sake of preservation of significant cultural, architectural or historical values. It is noteworthy that Heritage Impact Assessments were formalized by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 2011, as an essential part of the heritage management process. ICOMOS, in its guideline for HIA, has highlighted that the assessment should consider all constituent parts that contribute to the overall significance of the heritage. An effective example of a Heritage Impact Assessment can be seen with the reconstruction of an old monastery in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The initial plans for the project failed to take into account the significant historical and cultural value the monastery held for the city. A comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment was thus carried out, which broadened the scope of understanding about the potential impact of the construction project. It identified areas that could negatively impact the historical and architectural integrity of the monastery and recommendations were made to the construction plans to avoid these impacts. Similarly, the restoration project on the Great Wall of China also utilized a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment to identify areas that might become compromised with the restoration work. Recommendations from the assessment were carefully integrated into the planning process, to ensure the preservation of significant historical and architectural aspects of the Wall, minimizing negative impacts. Heritage Impact Assessments thus play an essential role in effective heritage management. They not only help to identify potential negative impacts on heritage values of a site but also offer careful measures to mitigate these impacts. Additionally, they provide an opportunity for a holistic approach to identify, assess and manage change for heritage sites, balancing necessary developments with the imperatives of preservation and respect for heritage values.