Cultural Heritage

Research into historic urban environments and urban heritage often focuses on buildings. This short course differs by focusing on the space in between the buildings, exploring how the underlying structure of streets and open spaces in cities influenced the way that people once moved around, interacted and traded. Participants learned principles of mapping that helped in the interpretation of spatial layouts while also exploring how other layers of information—both economic and social—added significance to these maps.

The principles of mapping explored included understanding ideas of ‘spatial configuration’ and the network qualities of space; appreciating the ‘lines of sight’ that people benefited from as they moved around historic urban environments; and examining more micro-level aspects of urban morphology. Participants considered the concept of ‘spatial culture’ and explored how this may have varied both across cities and within cities at different stages of their development. Different tools—such as tracing and hand-drawing, as well as the increasing use of historic Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies—were also discussed.

The course concluded by considering what lessons could be drawn from the historic layout of towns and cities for contemporary challenges, such as the need to create more ‘walkable’ cities. It was therefore relevant to a broad audience of archaeologists, historians, and contemporary architects and planners. By the end of the course, participants were encouraged to think differently about urban space!

Archaeological survey using airborne lidar is an important technique to be added to the toolbox of the archaeological surveyor, and when used in the appropriate circumstances it can reveal archaeological remains in exceptional detail. This course, which combined a mixture of classroom teaching with practical exercises and hands-on applications, informed historic environment professionals of the potential and practical use of lidar data and lidar-derived imagery for research and heritage management.

Although lidar data has been available for some years now and is recognized as a useful technique for archaeological surveyors, it was not always fully understood. This course helped participants grasp the most efficient applications, where it can reveal archaeological remains in exceptional detail while also exploring possible pitfalls relating to data capture and interpretation.

The course aimed to provide participants with the skills and confidence to identify and understand archaeological features in lidar data and the imagery derived from it. It introduced the main applications of lidar for heritage management (including the strengths and limitations of this source of information) and discussed how to use the different types of lidar data provided to best effect. The ways in which archaeology appears in lidar-derived imagery and problems of interpretation caused by non-archaeological processes were also investigated. Practical guidance was given on how to produce a map of archaeological features recorded by lidar.

This transdisciplinary 1-day course provided training and knowledge exchange for those involved in managing complex change (including the potential for substantial harm or loss) in heritage assets and landscapes. It was aimed at a cross-sector audience, including historic and natural environment practitioners, cultural resource consultants, regulatory and local planning authorities, landscape architects, curators, and ecological surveyors. Both in-person and online participation were possible.

Participants reviewed environmental drivers for change in the historic environment (in UK and international contexts), discussed a range of established and emerging options for managing anticipated impacts, and explored approaches with an ‘ecocultural’ emphasis, seeking integrated historic and natural environment outcomes. They gained awareness of relevant policy developments and developed confidence in applying new approaches while navigating context-specific challenges.

Detailed case studies grounded the exploration of key themes, leading participants to think about how to define, accept, and learn from (partial or total) loss in the historic environment, and how to assess the risks and rewards associated with adaptive, integrated approaches. The program included contributions from National Trust and Historic England staff directly involved in developing policy and practice to address the challenges explored in the course. In the afternoon, those who attended in person were invited to share cases from their own work in a participatory workshop, applying the approaches introduced in the morning session.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a powerful tool for understanding the health of the historic built environment. It can help diagnose pathologies and reveal hidden stories. This understanding can be vital for accurate condition surveys of historic buildings and provide evidence to support conservation management or development strategies. This 2-day course introduced students to a range of equipment and include hands-on guided sessions.

Applying the correct technique and using the correct tools is vital for gathering meaningful data and enabling useful interpretation. Commonly used techniques in the historic environment range from simple hand-held microscopes to powerful ground-penetrating radars, and this is an exciting time, with new technologies being developed and introduced every year. By understanding the scientific principles behind NDT it is possible to develop an overall strategy to good practice.

In this course, students learnt how to make best use of NDT in archaeology and historic building survey. We covered basic principles that apply to NDT in general, before looking in detail at several important established and emerging techniques, different types of Moisture Meter, Surface Hardness Measurement, Thermal Imaging, Digital microscopy, Pulse Wave Velocity, and Ground Penetrating Radar. We also covered recent, real-world work done by the tutor and also try our hand at gathering data in the field and making simple statistical evaluations.

The protection, management, and investigation of the historic environment takes place within a legal and policy framework. This course provided an introduction for all those who needed to gain a broad understanding of the main legislative, regulatory, and policy regimes for the historic environment, the ways in which those regimes are currently being applied, and the implications in practice for those working in this area.

The course was designed for those responsible for the conservation of the historic environment, whether in the professional or voluntary sectors. This included individuals holding, or working towards, supervisory or higher levels of responsibility within professional practices, as well as those in curatorial or consultancy roles.

The programme concluded with a group discussion, led by a panel made up of the course tutors. Participants discussed recent and current cases, legislative changes, and other legal issues affecting the conservation of the historic environment.

Design codes based on the National Model Design Code (NMDC) have become one of the most powerful tools councils have to improve the design of streets and buildings in their area. The new National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages the creation of design codes, and the draft Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will mandate them. The industry is aware of the need to create places that are walkable, healthy, sustainable, and contextual, allowing residents to live happy, prosperous lives.

This course outlined what participants needed to know about design codes (within UK and international contexts) and provided practical advice on how to create successful codes based on Create Streets’ extensive experience working with councils and communities. An introductory session focused on the theory and purpose of design codes and how they can be used, including how they differ from design guides.

Attendees were shown how to create provably popular design codes based on the historic context. This was followed by an in-depth session that looked at how to write design codes, with particular focus on street design, layouts, built form, and house types (identity).

After lunch, for those attending in person, a site walkaround in a historic neighborhood was followed by a practical workshop led by urban designers and experienced coders, where attendees began working on a design code of their own, putting their newfound knowledge into practice.

At the end of the course, attendees had a strong grasp of how to use design codes and what key opportunities and risks they might encounter.

This course took the form of a practical workshop carefully designed to improve the performance of anyone who might have been called upon to participate in a Public Inquiry concerned with the historic environment. The aims were to present the terms of procedure, the roles of the participants, and the general feel of a Public Inquiry.

A mock Public Inquiry was mounted using a genuine case study. Training for potential witnesses was provided on how to prepare evidence for a Public Inquiry, how to produce proofs of evidence, and how to experience them being given and tested under realistic conditions.

Before the course, participants received a study pack, including a guide to the preparation of evidence. Each participant was allocated a role to play in the Inquiry and asked to prepare a proof of evidence to fit this role. Participants indicated their areas of interest or expertise in advance of the course to ensure appropriate role assignments.

The Inquiry was video recorded to allow for analysis and feedback to be given on the final day.