GPA Explores Human-Centered Urban Development in Luxembourg For OWHC Regional Conference
At the end of September, the Global Philadelphia Association represented Philadelphia at the annual OWHC Regional Conference for Northwest Europe and North America in Luxembourg. The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) is an international organization devoted to enhancing and protecting global heritage. Attendees of this year’s conference discussed initiatives and ideas focused on the theme: “Living Heritage: Designing Human-Centered Cities for the Future.”
The conference dove into the balance that goes into preserving history and physical heritage sites while sustainably and relevantly developing a modern city through forward-thinking strategies. With Luxembourg as the host site, workshops looked into topics affecting the city and members gained more insight through visits and guided tours of heritage sites.
The City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications became a World Heritage Site in 1994. Visitors witnessed how the structures of days past intermingle with necessary modern developments, especially those that focus on human needs. In addition, the LUGA gardening exhibition demonstrated wildlife and biodiversity conservation through urban gardening, exploring how nature can be balanced in an urban environment and encouraging reflection on the future of cities’ infrastructure and green spaces.
“As always, the conference was very enriching,” described GPA President Zabeth Teelucksingh. “It was interesting to learn from a city that has no budget constraints. This was an eye opener for all of us heritage practitioners.” Luxembourg’s fiscal resources allow for virtually unabridged innovation– something that other cities likely cannot replicate, but can take inspiration from and consider how their own cities can utilize the resources available to their fullest potential.
The conference allowed Philadelphia to share its ideas as well as hear those from others. The topic of urban planning and the use of public space is particularly pertinent to Philadelphia, as the city was once again named the United States’ most walkable city by USA Today and is within the top 10 most populous cities in the country, making human-centered development a priority.
GPA is also prioritizing attention to Philadelphia’s actions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, including SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Exposure to the innovations and successes of other communities is an integral component of bettering our own community, and the OWHC Regional Conference provides the perfect avenue to learn new perspectives and bring them home.
The participation of representatives of fellow World Heritage Cities, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), OWHC Regional Coordinators and local organizations such as the Luxembourg Commission for UNESCO, the University of Luxembourg, and Luxembourg city services led to talks of strong action and cooperation between World Heritage Cities in instituting plans focused on human-centered and sustainable strategies in urban design.
GPA takes these learning and collaborative meetings as vital opportunities to develop new ideas specific to what Philadelphia needs. Philadelphia’s role in the OWHC fosters important relationships with other World Heritage Sites, and GPA looks forward to representing our city at OWHC conferences for many years to come.
To discover all of the international conference and meetings GPA has been a part of over the years, visit Global Philadelphia Around the World.
