Heritage, Place and the Economy

Free Market Radicals as a programme is interested in the relationship between ‘place’ and ‘heritage’. We are also interested in how places, particularly towns and villages, can thrive into the future culturally and economically. In our experience it is not often that ‘heritage’ and ‘economic’ interests are aligned in policy, despite the fairly obvious benefits to towns and villages from having well-maintained heritage assets and related activities and events. These are very often locally-driven with significant time, expertise and passion provided on a voluntary basis and they are part of what makes places distinctive and interesting (to locals and visitors).

So it is interesting to see a recently published report from the RSA focus on the importance of heritage to the economy — ‘Heritage For Inclusive Growth’ (August 2020). This is of interest to us, and it could be interesting for anyone who wants to make a strong case for investment in local heritage. Most importantly the report focuses on how heritage can support ‘inclusive growth’, essentially economic growth that supports wider ‘social and environmental wellbeing, beyond more narrowly defined economic development outcomes.’ The concept of ‘inclusive growth’ is something that the RSA has reported on extensively over the last few years, and relates to similar concepts including Community Wealth Building — ever more relevant given the current economic, social, cultural and health/wellbeing challenges we are facing.

The report reflects on heritage as a ‘largely untapped collective asset for inclusive social, economic and environmental change’, and there are some interesting case studies from across the UK of how places have put heritage at the centre of local regeneration and place strategies. There are also some interesting reflections on the importance of ‘creating a space for a diversity of narratives’.

‘Dominant narratives about the value of a sense of heritage, belonging and identity have been largely monopolised by the increasingly far right. But all places and people have heritages. And having a sense of connection to the place that you live is of value to everyone.’ Addressing this is critical, and it is something that we want to talk to people about throughout the Free Market Radicals programme.

We will no doubt post further reflections on the concept of ‘heritage for inclusive growth’ as we go further into the programme. You can read the report here.