Heritage and meaning
The Netherlands Institute for Heritage defines heritage as the tangible (objects) and intangible (stories) expressions of a society's culture that have been handed down from generation to generation.
Heritage is therefore culturally diverse. What one group considers its cultural heritage may not be considered that by another.
Nowadays, we preserve the rare surviving city gates as a visible reminder of the past. In the nineteenth century, those same city gates impeded urban economic growth. Today we save town records as priceless historic documents. In the eighteenth century, such documents were burned for fuel.
The meaning of heritage
Heritage represents the "cultural capital and inspirational power" of people and communities. It is how they shape their identity and their image. Heritage makes a society aware of its origins and its culture.
The meaning of heritage in society:
1. Social support: heritage points the way to the future
By preserving its cultural heritage, a society makes the past meaningful and points the way to its future. The process of preservation is influenced by the spirit of the times and the associated ideas and opinions.
2. Cultural: heritage fosters mutual respect and appreciation
Heritage teaches us about other people's backgrounds and fosters mutual respect and appreciation in this way. The Council for Culture calls this "cultural citizenship".
3. Social: heritage influences recognition, acknowledgement and appreciation
When an historic building or monument or other cultural artefact helps define the setting of a residential area, local people recognise, acknowledge and appreciate what makes their particular street, neighbourhood or district unique. In that sense, heritage can help to resolve social issues.
4. Economic: heritage attracts people
Urban renewal projects can incorporate historical elements into new developments with new functions. An environment of this kind can grow into a cultural hotspot that attracts both businesses and people. Heritage also has an economic meaning in the tourism industry. Locations that showcase their heritage tend to welcome large groups of tourists from home and abroad.
5. International: a common heritage, a common past
It is impossible to pose questions about the meaning and the role of heritage in society without considering the international dimension. For example, the Netherlands shares a common past (and a common heritage) with such countries as Ghana, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Surinam and South Africa.
6. Cultural planning: include heritage and the heritage sector in planning
The Dutch landscape is a man-made landscape. Human beings have left their mark in the form of land division patterns, urban environments, polders and even woodland. Archaeology and conservation are vital to the planning process. It is therefore important for the heritage sector to play a greater role in Dutch town and country planning.