Online Forum: Integrated Approaches to the Dissonant Heritage in Europe: Insights, Networks and Future Perspectives

Which future perspectives exist for dissonant heritage sites in Europe? How can integrated approaches develop the potential of dissonant heritage sites for society, for tourism and for urban and regional development and make it usable in the long term, e.g. as places of local civic participation and democracy building?

The Online Forum on 16-17 February 2022 (both days from 13:30-17:00) offers the space to talk and have an exchange about integrated approaches to the dissonant heritage in smaller towns and remote areas.

On 17 February, Europa Nostra Board Member Graham Bell will participate in the discussion as a panellist, together with Mario Aymerich and Bruno Rossignol, colleagues from the EIB Institute involved in the 7 Most Endangered Programme. Europa Nostra’s Selection Committee member of Europa Nostra’s Heritage Awards and Vice-President of Europa Nostra Germany Claus-Peter Echter is also heavily engaged in this inspiring project “Integrated Approaches to the Dissonant Heritage in Europe” as participant of its “Action Group”.

All over Europe, dissonant heritage of the 20th century is under discussion. Current nationalist narratives as well as post-colonial and provenance debates prove the relevance of actively dealing with dissonant heritage in Europe, e.g. from totalitarian regimes, wars and conflicts.

A working group of European experts, which has been working intensively on the topic since 2020 as part of the Urban Agenda for the EU, will present and reflect on its results and strategic recommendations.

The event aims to raise attention for European networks and associations and offer them the possibility to connect and expand. A market place will present opportunities for exchange and networking on good practice experiences (e.g. on funding for dissonant heritage), the search for partners and ideas for cooperation.

European institutions, international experts, researchers and local practitioners are invited to the Online Forum to further develop and deepen perspectives for this cross-cutting issue. This exchange contributes to the Partnership on Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Urban Agenda for the EU: In eleven so-called Actions, it develops policy recommendations for better funding, better regulation and better knowledge for the EU.

The Online Forum is organised by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) in the framework of the Experimental Residential Construction and Urban Development (ExWoSt) programme. The event will take place in English, is free of charge and is open to a broad European audience.

The preliminary programme of the event is available here.

Please register by Friday 11 February 2022 here.