According to UNESCO, cultural and natural heritage “is not only an irreplaceable source of identity and inspiration, but also a key driving force for sustainable development”.
Research done over the last decade identified five ways to measure the economic impact of heritage conservation: jobs and household income; city centre revitalisation; heritage tourism; property values; and small business incubation (D.D. Rypkema, President of Heritage Strategies International).
However, economic growth does not only depend on heritage. More factors must be in place alongside heritage before a town can flourish.
Paul Graham, a highly successful businessman who encourages start-up businesses, programmer, artist and well-known social commentator, listed factors on which economic and social growth depends during a discussion on how Pittsburgh, his city of birth in the United States of America, can grow.
These are to “encourage local restaurants, save old buildings, take advantage of density, make CMU [Carnegie Mellon University] the best [and to] promote tolerance”.
Stellenbosch is lucky, as the town can tick these boxes. We have a variety of restaurants run by locals, including some of the best in the country.
We are looking after our older buildings and heritage, and there are plans to incorporate these buildings and spaces with character into residents’ daily lives. We are also making plans to ensure that Stellenbosch can become a dense, but green and people friendly place.
Stellenbosch University is one of the top universities in the country and Africa. People in Stellenbosch are increasingly more tolerant of new ideas and diversity.
And then we are in the centre of a wine region, surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature reserves. In a community the size of Stellenbosch, not all is ever perfect, but we are indeed lucky.
. Christine Fourie is part of the Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation, which aims to lead the conversation on heritage in the Stellenbosch area through a series of monthly columns in Eikestadnuus.
To comment or make suggestions on matters to be discussed, send an email to chairperson@stellenboschheritage.co.za.
The Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation aims to lead the conversation on heritage in the Stellenbosch area through a series of monthly columns in Eikestadnuus. To comment or make suggestions on matters to be discussed, send an email to chairperson@stellenboschheritage.co.za.
The Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation aims to lead the conversation on heritage in the Stellenbosch area through a series of monthly columns in Eikestadnuus. To comment or make suggestions on matters to be discussed, send an email to chairperson@stellenboschheritage.co.za.
The Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation aims to lead the conversation on heritage in the Stellenbosch area through a series of monthly columns in Eikestadnuus. To comment or make suggestions on matters to be discussed, send an email to chairperson@stellenboschheritage.co.za.
The Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation aims to lead the conversation on heritage in the Stellenbosch area through a series of monthly columns in Eikestadnuus. To comment or make suggestions on matters to be discussed, send an email to chairperson@stellenboschheritage.co.za.
