who and what we are. It shows how our society has
evolved historically and it develops an awareness
about ourselves.
It is important to preserve heritage, tradition and
culture in the face of growing globalisation within a
culturally diverse society. There is a risk that certain
elements of intangible cultural heritage could die out
or disappear without help. These can be safeguar-
ded by transmitting and communicating intangible
cultural heritage from generation to generation.
All societies are faced with change, sometimes
at a seemingly breakneck speed. We can all play an
important role in constructing a sense of meaning of
the past and how it is related to the present and pas-
sed on to the next generation. We have to share our
cultural knowledge collectively by bringing people
together and by empowering society to take action
to conserve their heritage.
Here in Gibraltar the Heritage & Antiquities Act
2018 provides detailed guidance on sustaining Gi-
braltar’s historic environment within the framework
of established government policy. It also provides
a structure within which other current Gibraltar
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heritage policy and guidance should be applied.
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust is a non-governmental
organisation whose main aim and objective is the
protection and conservation of our heritage. The core
functions of the Trust are:
- To push for heritage conservation and revitalisa-
tion projects that demonstrate the ways built herita-
ge can benefit Gibraltar;
- Fostering public awareness of heritage through
education and public programmes such as exhibitions,
lectures, tours etc. These activities are aimed at fa-
milies, school children, as well as the public at large;
- Promoting the research into and publications on
our heritage and on the history of Gibraltar including
its social, cultural, economic and political evolution;
- Advising Government, developers and archi-
tects at an early stage on any planning or other pro-
posals affecting any building, structure, site or land;
- Participation in forums, committees and other
bodies dealing with conservation and heritage;
- As a focal point of contact on heritage conserva-
tion matters both locally and overseas, and
- Liaising with other heritage trusts and interna-
OTWO 08 / MARCH 2020
tional organisations to promote learning and exchan-
ge of experience.
Another important function of the Trust is moni-
toring the rapid pace of development in Gibraltar.
Our involvement in the Development and Planning
Commission enables us to have an input on any con-
cerns that may arise whenever planning and building
permission is being sought and which may have he-
ritage related issues. Each application is analysed to
assess its historical, evidential, aesthetic and com-
munal values and our findings communicated to the
Town Planner. The Trust defines conservation as the
process of managing change to a significant place in
its setting in ways that will best sustain its heritage
values, while recognising opportunities to reveal or
reinforce those values for present and future gene-
rations.
The Trust is not against new building develop-
ments taking place. We appreciate and agree that
there is a growing demand for modern housing and
office space. It is our view that this demand should
not be detrimental to our historic fabric and existing
vernacular buildings. New development should run
OTWO 08 / MARCH 2020
hand in hand with a concerted effort to renovate
existing buildings and houses in the Upper Town.
This urban renewal would greatly enhance an area
of our city and generate a new sense of belonging. It
would create new residential and commercial oppor-
tunities and at the same time add a new lease of
life to a large number of buildings that have been in
an abandoned state for far too long. It is encoura-
ging to see that some initiatives in the Upper Town
have already enhanced the area. One fine example
is “The Arches”, the successful renovation of the old
Police Barracks into quality residences. Maybe some
form of financial or tax incentives from government
would help in encouraging the drive to regenerate
our Upper Town.
Our heritage belongs to all of us not just to go-
vernmental bodies, non-governmental organisations
or individuals. As custodians of our unique past it
is the duty and responsibility of all of us to ensure
that it is kept alive so that it can be experienced by
generations to come.
“Once our heritage is lost it is lost forever”.
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