3 Social and Cultural Significance
Every building has some social and cultural significance beyond its historic value, depending on its previous use(s), location, and so on. It may exist simply as a well known landmark in a streetscape or rural setting, or have a wider social significance, such as a place of worship or other community facility.
Generally such significance can be a powerful motivation for interest groups and local communities, which may be predisposed to support alterations or a change of use or if these would enable the building to survive.
Planners and Policy-makers
- Be aware of how historic patterns of activity have helped to create the current social context for the building, and of what, other than the building itself, contributes to its social value / cultural significance.
- Understand how changes to the building would impact on this significance.
- Know whether there been any community action or engagement in helping to determine the future use of the building.
- Find out whether there is potential funding for retaining / expanding an existing use.
- > Section 6: Financing
- Consider raising awareness of the cultural understanding of the building and its relative importance.