A World Heritage Conversation with Professor Herb Stovel

What makes Edinburgh distinctive and how does it compare with other World Heritage cities?

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These were the issues addressed by Professor Herb Stovel, one of the world’s leading authorities on conservation matters, in discussion with the EWH Chairman Professor Charles McKean.

In 1995 Professor Stovel completed an evaluation of the city which led to the inscription of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Edinburgh this October for a brief visit, he was persuaded by Acting Director Jane Jackson to spend some time sharing his experience of Edinburgh and placing it in a world wide context.

Professor Stovel emphasised that World Heritage issues are important at a national level, and that the obligation to protect what makes Edinburgh unique goes beyond the mandate of the city council. He felt that Edinburgh is still a marvellously distinctive city, and the city’s conservation organisations have provided a model for other cities around the world like Vilnius and Tbilisi. For the future, he suggested that those involved in tourism and conservation should work closely, and that Edinburgh should adopt a more proactive approach to managing development based on an understanding of its globally important architecture.

Download Part 1 (mp3 7.3MB)
Download Part 2 (mp3 4.6MB)

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