Europe is one of the most densely urbanised regions in the world. Most of its towns and cities are characterised by rich layers of cultural heritage that reflect their history of prosperity and turmoil reaching back hundreds, sometimes even thousands of years. One of the biggest challenges that Europe is facing is that it needs to come to terms with its heritage of the past in the light of modern city development. By 2050 the United Nations estimates that 67% of the world population will live in cities. Though the impact will be felt the most in Africa and Asia, Europe will follow the same trend. There is no doubt that cities will have increasing influence as centres of economic development and innovation and that their further development will have to adjust to these needs. The challenge that Europe and other cities throughout the world are facing is, therefore, how to deal with heritage in an urban context that will have to be sustainable, innovative, economically viable, and supportive of a liveable environment that is adjusted to the current and future needs of its inhabitants. One of the tools to live up to this challenge is interpretive planning. Fostering informal learning, interpretive planning is the key to a structured presentation and explanation of the significance behind cultural heritage artefacts. However, the purpose of heritage interpretation is not only to provide meaningful explanations of the city%E2%80%99s cultural heritage, it is also the basis of a holistic approach to urban development. Rather than an obstacle, a city%E2%80%99s cultural heritage can become the driving force determining key factors in urban planning such as mobility, local economic development, social integration, tourism and general well-being. Thus interpretive planning is an interdisciplinary approach that is heritage driven. How this can be accomplished will be the main focus of the course that consists of a theoretical as well as a practical part. The theoretical part of the course will address basic parameters to be considered in the process of interpretative planning within historical urban areas, such as: the specific needs of an active local community, the urban master planning and development strategies pursuit by local authorities, the existing heterogeneous urban fabric, the local and regional economic trends, the targeted typologies of visitors and intended types of tourism etc. It will do so by introducing the students to existing theoretical frameworks and practical tools as they are developed by international organisations such as the Council of Europe, ICOMOS, or UNESCO. In the practical part of the summer school the participants will sketch interpretive projects and concepts to support local interventions in Gro%C3%9F-Enzersdorf, a developing urban area with a rich cultural heritage in the vicinity of Vienna. The summer school addresses mainly advanced Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. students of architecture, urban and spatial planing, urban sociology, cultural heritage studies, museum studies and tourism. Nevertheless other specializations are also welcomed, providing that they have the specific practical and/or theoretical know-how. Further requirements: Although not mandatory, a laptop with architecture or planning software is advantageous for the practical project sessions. Combining theoretical lectures with study visits and practical workshops your summer school experience will: - provide insight in the current international regulations and charters on heritage interpretation and presentation - extend your knowledge on cultural tourism, heritage management and interpretation - familiarize you with the field of interpretive planning and its connection to urban development - train your interdisciplinary working abilities - involve you in a concrete interpretative planning project to aid local authorities improving the presentation of their cultural heritage.



Course leader
Dipl.-Ing- Silvestru Claudiu

Target group
Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Sociology, Urban History, Cultural Heritage, Interpretive Planning, Tourism

Course aim
The schedule of the summer school is closely related to its practice-oriented and interdisciplinary character, training the participants to use the theoretical knowledge acquired in the first part within a concrete project for economically viable interpretation solutions that support the short and midterm development of the historic center of Gro-Enzersdorf. Gro-Enzersdorf which is situated close to Vienna has a rich and turbulent history reaching back at least until the early middle ages. It is also situated at the edge of a surrounding natural landscape that has always been closely related to Gro-Enzersdorf. Both nature and culture not only define the history of the region but will play a key role in the further development of the town. The challenge that the students will be faced with is how to use the heritage resources of both the town and its surroundings in order to activate their further development both spatially, economically and touristically. In order to meet this challenge, the students will get introductory courses in the domains of cultural heritage and its management in the context of the historic urban landscape, the value of cultural heritage for society, heritage interpretation as a tool for urban planning and development, as well as the role of heritage tourism in relation to local development. All of these themes are debated at an international level and the students will get acquainted with the major elements, problems and solutions that define these debates. The practical part of the summer school is to activate a positive impact on local identity, urban development, local economy, general well-being and tourism by means of the revitalization of the town center and the "urban dynamics". Local visists and workshop discussions with the local stakeholders will help to guide the practical work and will add to the success of what will be accomplished during the summer school. At the end of the course, the results will be presented to and discussed with the stakeholders of Gross-Enzersdorf.

Credits info
6 ECTS Participants will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the summer school and all necessary documentation to validate the course at their home university.

Fee info
EUR 600: Reduced participation fee for students.Early registration bonus of 150 until the 31st of December.Later registration bonus of 100 until the 31st of January.Group discount of 150 (at least 4 participants).

INNES
Address: Favoritenstr. 4-6
Postal code: 1040
City: Vienna
Country: Austria
Website: http://www.innesvienna.net
E-mail: summersession@innesviena.net
Phone: 436802349265