In Reading, the Historic Area Assessment (HAA) has played a pivotal role in the process of creating and revitalising public spaces to foster a sense of community and identity. It is used by developers, architects and planners as a comprehensive tool to support placemaking within the historic areas of Reading. It’s published online – Reading’s Historic Area Assessment. Here’s how the HAA contributes to this process:
Understanding the historic environment, character assessment and significance
The HAA is designed to identify the significance of Reading’s historic environment, its character, and its heritage assets. This assessment involves a detailed fieldwork survey of historic buildings and streets, recording the significance and approximate condition of the town’s historic townscape. By integrating these records into a Geographical Information System (GIS), the HAA provides a robust spatial analysis that helps in understanding how the past is encapsulated in today’s landscape.
The HAA assesses the physical form, historic development, and current built environment of the study area. It differentiates areas of high, medium, or low heritage value, summarises characteristic and distinctive landscapes, and identifies key buildings and features. This detailed character assessment is essential for defining the significance of the area and providing a sound evidence base for the informed management of the historic environment.
Community engagement to inform development and conservation
Although the HAA itself is primarily a technical assessment, its findings and recommendations are crucial for community engagement. By understanding the historic character and significance of an area, local communities can be better informed and involved in decisions about the future of their public spaces. This alignment ensures that any placemaking initiatives respect and reflect the existing character of the place, which is a key aspect of successful community-led placemaking.
The HAA provides practical recommendations for managing the historic environment, including suggestions for buildings to be considered for statutory listing, locally listed buildings, buildings of townscape merit, and proposed revisions to conservation areas. These recommendations guide the design of new developments and ensure that any changes or improvements are made with the character and location of the site in mind. This approach helps in maintaining the historic integrity of the area while allowing for necessary modernisations, which is vital for effective placemaking.
Enhancing public realm and cultural and historical context
The HAA’s detailed analysis of the built environment and historic development helps in identifying areas that could benefit from public realm improvements. By understanding the historic context of public spaces, planners and developers can make informed decisions about reinstating lost features, supporting the conversion of historic buildings for new uses, and improving shared spaces. These physical interventions can make the area more inviting and functional, enhancing the overall placemaking effort.
The HAA delves into the historical development of Reading, from its earliest archaeological evidence to its expansion over the centuries. This historical context is crucial for placemaking as it helps in celebrating the history of the area through various activities and events. By documenting people’s life histories and exploring the importance of the high street to local communities, the HAA supports a cultural programme that enriches the sense of place and community identity.
Integration with local planning and heritage records
The GIS records of the HAA survey are integrated into Reading Borough Council’s GIS and The Berkshire Archaeology Historic Environment Record (HER). This integration ensures that the findings of the HAA are readily available to inform planning decisions and guide the management of the historic environment. This systematic approach helps in maintaining the coherence and integrity of the historic area, which is essential for effective placemaking.
The Reading Historic Area Assessment is a powerful tool for placemaking. By providing a detailed understanding of the historic environment, guiding community engagement and development decisions, and enhancing the public realm, the HAA ensures that Reading’s historic areas are preserved and revitalised in a way that respects their heritage and fosters a strong sense of community and place identity.
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