This webinar explores how heritage-led regeneration of the public realm in urban places can be successfully delivered, showcasing the positive benefits of investing in built heritage assets for social, environmental and economic enhancement. A guiding policy initiative is the Creative Europe-funded ‘Living Spaces’ programme, involving “cities and regions shaping the built environment for everyone”, where sustainable urban living is promoted through regeneration of shared public realm and historic buildings.

Across Ireland, historic towns and cities have the capacity to reinvent their urban centres through heritage-conscious planning of their public realm and streetscapes. This holistic approach can be extended to include underutilised historic buildings in both public and private ownership, as well as investment in new residential housing in brownfield and backlands locations. Such investment can promote more sustainable ways of living, bringing homes, workplaces and essential services closer together in vibrant, attractive centres.

This 3.5-hour webinar explores these themes through successful examples of public authority-led initiatives that place built heritage at the centre of the design process. Case studies from design practices, and a national and European overview of policy and projects, will chart the incorporation of heritage assets at both micro and macro levels: from preserving historic railings and heritage assets as part of major new transport infrastructure, to master-planning historic market squares.