The preservation of the historical and cultural environment of the city (including landscapes, archaeological sites, built and intangible heritage) is important to promote sustainable development, improve people’s quality of life and reinforce social and cultural cohesion.
The Cultural Environment Programme (Vantaan kulttuuriympäristölinjaukset), used an innovative methodology to co-design a holistic environmental urban programme addressing cultural heritage with more than 100 city officials and 3.000 residents. This ensured locals’ ownership of the new programme and enhanced their commitment towards shared goals and actions. The cross-sectoral approach mainstreamed heritage and environment in different policy areas (education, culture, real estate, tourism, entrepreneurship), ensuring coordinated and more effective management of these resources.
The municipality engages with residents (from students to seniors) to align understanding and expectations. The programme is developed taking into consideration stories, feelings and memories of the local cultural environment collected through citizens-led projects and exhibitions, digital tools (social media campaigns, mobile apps and games), local newspapers and questionnaires.
The project managed to improve the co-design of public policy between local people and the local authority and the preservation of urban cultural environment and natural resources. It also reinforced citizens’ awareness, engagement and participation in conservation and management of cultural and natural heritage and improved data collection of stories and memories of local heritage.
Find more about the project here
