The Setting of Heritage Assets University of Oxford

Overview

What you will study

The Setting of Heritage Assets course offered by University of Oxford will discuss the following subject:

The principle that the setting of a heritage asset can contribute to its significance is now well-established in policy and guidance across the UK. Change in the setting of an asset could affect that contribution in a positive or negative way so an understanding of setting should help in the planning of positive change, avoiding or minimising harm and, where practicable, maximising enhancement.  

Heritage professionals need to be confident and competent in their analysis of a heritage asset, its significance, and the contribution its setting may make to an understanding of its significance if they are to contribute to the positive management of change: in development plans and policies, the design of projects, assessment of impacts and determination of planning applications. Architects, landscape architects and planners should also be interested because an understanding of how setting contributes to significance should inform design proposals and land management decisions. They may need to collaborate with a heritage professional to understand specific assets, but they should understand the principles, avoid unnecessary duplication with other forms of assessment and be able to engage in informed discussion with heritage professionals.