CO-OPERATION WITH ICCROM

The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), through its ITUC (Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation) Regional Programme in North-East Europe (Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Ukraine), has committed its support through ensuring access to appropriate training. In 1997, 1998 and 1999, ICCROM's NE Europe ITUC Programme, frequently in co-operation with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, has organised training workshops and seminars in Lithuania. These seminars were designed specifically for managers whose decisions could have an impact on the cultural-heritage value of historic settlements.

International Workshops for the Preparation of the “CASE STUDY OF VILNIUS OLD TOWN REVITALISATION” took part in OTRA on 10-13 of February, and on 9-11 of May, 2006. The purpose of the case study is to tell the story of the conception, development and implementation of Vilnius Old Town Revitalisation Strategy ten years after launching the revitalisation process that began in 1995. It looks at a broader context of the strategy and the Old Town Renewal Agency (OTRA). The objective of the study is to point out the lessons that can be learned from the case of Vilnius.

The work started from OTRA and its consultant’s meetings with many participants of the revitalisation process in Vilnius during those 10 years. Analysis of documents and plans and the wealth of personal recollections and opinions were integrated into this narrative document: the story of Vilnius Old Town revitalisation.

The draft framework of the story was introduced to a wide variety of authorities and institutional stakeholders and selected local, regional, and international experts. It has been discussed in a series of meetings at OTRA in February 2006. The meetings included representatives of state and municipal authorities, NGOs, and individual Lithuanian, regional and international experts. These meetings provided essential, invaluable inputs to the initial framework of the story. Once these inputs had been integrated into the story, it has been sent out once again to various stakeholders.

Preparation of the Study was supported by UNESCO World Heritage Centre and co-ordinated by ICCROM. The study was prepared by international experts who were selected by ICCROM:
Dr. Ray Bondin, the Member of ICOMOS Executive Committee and the President of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Historic Towns and Villages;
Joseph King, ICCROM programmes’ manager;
Paulius Kulikauskas, international ICCROM consultant;
Prof. Herb Stovel, former ICCROM programmes’ manager.

Lithuanian Order of Merit for prof. Herb Stovel (Canada)