Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts

Urbanization is a process by which growing populations settle in urban areas - whether cities, towns, or peri-urban places. It is increasingly shaping how the majority of human society lives and interacts, as communities of different cultures and backgrounds increasingly converge in urban areas. As this trend continues, ensuring equal access to resources, education, and fair opportunities for all is critical to enhancing quality of life and reducing inequality in cities.

In this context, intangible cultural heritage emerges as a key element of social well-being, contributing to the identity and vitality of communities in urban contexts. The integration of intangible cultural heritage into urban planning can help safeguard traditional knowledge related to local ecosystems, cultural practices, and local economies, and foster greater social inclusion. In turn, urban planners can also facilitate the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage by considering communities’ and practitioners’ needs in terms of spatial allocation, organization and use.

The relationship between built heritage and intangible cultural heritage is also central to urban planning, as the significance of built heritage usually includes values linked to the intangible dimensions of such places. If this relationship is strengthened, together with the durable use of land and resources, urban planning can have a direct and positive impact on sustainable development and potentially lead to more equitable socioeconomic outcomes.

To ensure the incorporation of intangible cultural heritage into urban planning, several key challenges must be addressed. This includes raising awareness among planners and decision-makers about intangible cultural heritage, fostering multi-sectoral coordination between the planning and cultural sectors, and outlining clear regulations and policies dedicated to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts. In these endeavours, the participation of key actors and stakeholders such as government agencies, concerned communities and their representatives, bearers, and individuals is essential.

Towards the development of a Guidance Note

In line with the Operational Directives for the implementation of the Convention (Chapter VI) and the Committee’s decisions (Decisions 16.COM 5.b, 17.COM 13, 18.COM 12 and 19.COM 11), a thematic initiative on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts is being developed with the following components:

• Initial preparation: A desk-based study and research bibliography to map existing resources relating to intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts and where they may overlap.
• Global Survey: A global survey was launched at the beginning of October 2022 and addressed to more than 1,000 stakeholders of the Convention, including national authorities, accredited non-governmental organizations, category 2 centers and community contact persons for elements inscribed on the Lists of the Convention.
• Expert consultation: A two-part expert meeting on ‘Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts’ is scheduled to take place in June and September 2025.