Conservation of Europe's architectural heritage

Recommendation 750 (1975)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 23 and 24 January 1975 (19th and 20th Sittings) (see Doc. 3522, report of the Committee on Culture and Education). Text adopted by the Assembly on 24 January 1975 (20th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Convinced that the conservation of Europe's unique architectural treasures contributes to the enrichment and enjoyment of the lives of all ;

2. Emphasising that this is a common heritage belonging jointly to all the peoples of Europe, and that it is consequently the joint responsibility of all European countries to take the measures required for its effective protection ;

3. Noting with much satisfaction the increased interest which has been aroused by the architectural heritage campaign, culminating in the European Architectural Heritage Year of 1975 ;

4. Wishing to ensure that the momentum thus gained shall be maintained, and that the action of all kinds initiated during the campaign shall be continued and further developed in subsequent years ;

5. Recognising that the Council of Europe, with its wide membership, offers the most suitable European forum for international discussion and concerted action on this subject, and at the same time desiring to ensure close co-operation in this field with the European Communities ;

6. Welcoming the assurance of the Committee of Ministers that architectural conservation will continue to be given an appropriate place in the Work Programme of the Council of Europe after 1975 ;

7. Confirming its decision recorded in Resolutions 532 (1972) and 584 (1974) to review at regular intervals the progress of architectural conservation, and welcoming the assurance of the Committee of Ministers that it will, in 1976, present to the Assembly a comprehensive report on the conservation of Europe's architectural heritage and on the intentions of the governments concerning the continuation of this work in future years ;

8. Reaffirming its desire, as stated in its Recommendation 742 (1974), to develop closer cooperation between the Assembly and the intergovernmental organs of the Council of Europe concerned with these matters ;

9. Believing that, in order to give to all the opportunity fully to appreciate the cultural values and historic interest of the architectural heritage, it is desirable that this subject should be included in an appropriate manner in all educational programmes ;

10. Recognising the important part played by non-governmental organisations in awakening interest in the architectural heritage and in securing public support for the measures required for its protection,

11. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

a make a solemn declaration, which might appropriately be published at the Congress of Amsterdam in October 1975, emphasising that Europe's architectural heritage is the common heritage of all her peoples, and accordingly calling upon all European governments to take joint action to assure its effective protection in all their countries ;

b convene, during 1976, a conference of the Ministers responsible for architectural conservation and for town and country planning, in order to study the results of the architectural heritage campaign, and to consider the legislative, financial and administrative measures required for the continued promotion of its objectives in the years ahead ;

c ask the governments of the member states and the Council for Cultural Co-operation to give increased attention in their educational programmes to the development of knowledge and appreciation of the architectural heritage at all levels and ages, and to enlist the assistance of the television authorities ;

d ask the governments to give to appropriate non-governmental organisations the opportunity to be consulted on questions of policy and planning affecting the protection of the architectural heritage, and give them financial support and encouragement ;

e arrange in 1976 for the preparation and wide distribution of an illustrated publication, embodying the lessons and achievements of the European architectural heritage campaign, produced in a form designed to stimulate action by national and local authorities and to arouse increased interest among the general public ;

f seek to establish appropriate links between the Council of Europe and the European Communities at the ministerial, parliamentary and administrative levels, for the purpose of coordinating policies and action in regard to architectural conservation.