11.1 - Introduction

It is recognised that the city’s heritage contributes significantly to the collective memory of its communities and to the richness and diversity of its urban fabric. It is key to the city’s character, identity and authenticity and is a vital social, cultural, and economic asset for the development of the city.

The city’s historic buildings, streetscapes, villages, Georgian terraces and squares, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, industrial heritage, institutional landmarks, modernist buildings of the 20th century, urban core and the Medieval City, together with its upstanding monuments and buried archaeology, contribute to its local distinctiveness and help create a strong sense of place for citizens and visitors to the city and its neighbourhoods.

The Development Plan plays a key role in valuing and safeguarding built heritage and archaeology for future generations. The plan guides decision-making through policies and objectives and the implementation of national legislation to conserve, protect and enhance our built heritage and archaeology.