Arrangements for reviewing the progress of architectural conservation

Recommendation 788 (1976)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 16 September 1976 (9th Sitting) (seeDoc. 3844, report of the Committee on Culture and Education). Text adopted by the Assembly on 16 September 1976 (9th Sitting).

Thesaurus

The Assembly,

1. Noting the positive results achieved through the Council of Europe's campaign for the conservation of the European architectural heritage, and emphasising the importance of maintaining the momentum gained ;

2. Recalling that the European Charter of the Architectural Heritage asserts that Europe's architectural heritage is the common heritage of all her peoples, and that the Committee of Ministers has recognised the Council of Europe's responsibility "to ensure that member states pursue coherent policies in a spirit of solidarity" ;

3. Reasserting its concern, expressed in Resolution 617 (1976), for the implementation of this Charter, as well as of the principles set out in the Declaration of Amsterdam ;

4. Believing that the Council of Europe should not only continue to enunciate principles for the maintenance and further development of interest among governments, parliaments, local authorities, independent associations and the general public, but that it should also make a positive contribution to the solution of the problems of conservation ;

5. Wishing to be kept regularly informed of the state of architectural conservation in the member countries of the Council of Europe ;

6. Convinced of the need for an independent European body, which can keep under continuous review the state of the architectural heritage and the progress being made for its conservation,

7. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers consider the establishment of a commissioner or a council for the European architectural heritage, to be appointed by the Committee of Ministers on the basis of nomination from the Assembly, and with the following duties :

to keep under continuous review the progress being made in the implementation in member countries of the European Charter of the Architectural Heritage and the Declaration of Amsterdam ;

to maintain continuous contact with the bodies in each country which are carrying on the activities initiated during the European Architectural Heritage Year Campaign, including the relevant ministries, the national committees of the campaign (or such bodies as have taken over their duties) and the principal non-governmental organisations working in this field ;

to present periodic reports to the Assembly, and to make any necessary recommendations for additional action at both European and national levels ;

8. Welcoming the decision of its Committee on Culture and Education to appoint in the meantime a General Rapporteur on the architectural heritage, requests the Committee of Ministers and the Secretary General to give him their support, in particular as regards information and secretariat assistance.