We Do

Cultural Resource Planning

Rideau Hall, Ottawa. Sgt. Bertrand Thibeault.

Responsibility for the development and management of an historic building, a heritage district, a cultural landscape, an archaeological site or any other cultural heritage resource must be taken seriously. Such resources are rare, often one-of-a-kind.

In fact, interest in the resource is stimulated by its special past. Its unique character must be enhanced if it is to be of interest to the public, yet safe-guarded if the resource is to survive to benefit future generations.

Planning is a critical first step in cultural heritage resource management. Whether it is done through a feasibility study or a master plan, the resource must be examined and future action carefully charted. Finances and community / program objectives must be considered as well as the welfare of the resource. What are the important considerations? How should they be balanced? Where is help available? How should it be used? There are established tools for answering all of these questions. There are also international standards for heritage resource development.

Heritage Research Associates Inc. has participated in the preparation of many such plans, both as team leader and as the team participant responsible for heritage value identification. We know that if you are just beginning to develop a cultural heritage resource, you are undertaking the first of many long term plans. Custodianship of a heritage resource is a long-term commitment, but there are tools to make it both cost-effective and cost-efficient. Underlying everything is a simple guideline: know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Balanced, knowledgeable planning is a critical management activity.

Who uses our service?

Agencies, institutions and individuals who manage heritage resources including national, provincial, territorial and municipal governments across Canada. Architectural, engineering, planning and development companies engaged to work on projects that contain heritage resources. Heritage resource managers, heritage architects and restoration engineers engaged on projects that require heritage value identification as a basis for secure decision-making.

Why call on us?

We are experts in identifying the value of heritage resources -- the reason why they should be (or were) preserved (in the first place). Our planning input is essential to ensure development remains on-track.

We work across Canada.

We can field an experienced inter-disciplinary team to address the unique planning needs of a particular site. We have tools designed especially to address heritage resource planning requirements. We support Canadian and international standards for the preservation of heritage resources.