About IHBC/Introduction
Introduction
to the Institute
IHBC
publication
The
IHBC is the professional body for building conservation practitioners
and historic environment experts working in England, Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales, with connections to the Republic of Ireland. The
Institute exists to establish, develop and maintain the highest
standards of conservation practice, to support the effective protection
and enhancement of the historic environment, and to promote
heritage-led regeneration and access to the historic environment for
all.
The
Membership
IHBC members come from a range
of professional disciplines in the public, private and voluntary
sectors, including conservation officers, planners, architects,
regeneration practitioners and academics. The work of members varies
from overseeing small-scale traditional repairs to managing
multi-million pound area regeneration projects.
Managing
Change
The historic environment is all
around us and creates a sense of place and local identity. It provides
continuity with the past, but also accommodates change and helps places
adapt for the present and future. To thrive, historic places need the
specialist and cross-disciplinary management skills that IHBC members
can provide, drawing on the highest professional standards, nationally
and internationally.
Heritage-Led
Regeneration
Historic places attract people,
activity and investment, giving new life to their communities and
helping make places more competitive. They play a central role in
regenerating towns, cities and rural areas all around the UK,
especially helping to repopulate inner-city areas. IHBC members often
work at the cutting edge of regeneration practice.
The
terms design and heritage-led regeneration have become synonymous with
dramatic urban transformations, often in previously failing areas.
Where there is great pressure for development, the historic environment
can help to maintain variety and a range of community facilities. In
rural areas, historic buildings assist tourism and promote local
economic diversity.
Sustainable
Development
The IHBC is committed to making
development more sustainable. Maintaining and converting historic
buildings is a way of conserving the resources used to build them, and
minimising the carbon emissions associated with demolition and
redevelopment. Historic places often better cater for the needs of
pedestrians and accommodate mixed uses and varied rental levels,
essential to nurturing small businesses and encouraging innovation.
Design
Design is another key concern
for the Institute. Historic places will always be the inspiration for
the great architecture of the future. The combination of refurbished
old buildings, exciting new ones, good urban design and high quality
spaces has created places where people positively choose to live, work
and spend leisure time.
Empowering
Communities
Many Institute members are
involved in historic building projects aimed at supporting local
communities, providing education, assisting cultural development,
promoting tourism and improving the quality of life.
Valuing
Our Heritage
The IHBC's underlying principle
is that historic buildings and places have their own intrinsic
cultural, social, educational and spiritual value. Any nation that
claims to cherish cultural achievement in any field has a duty to care
for its heritage. IHBC members are duty bound to respect that heritage
across their professional work.
The
IHBC's activities include lobbying at international, national, regional
and local levels. The Institute has a strong network of regional and
national branches, with regular training, CPD and education events. A
range of publications includes the Institute's journal, Context.
IHBC
Publications
 |
The
Heritage White Paper - IHBC Membership Consultation
Click graphic for PDF download |
 |
Valuing Our
Heritage
Click graphic for PDF download |
 |
Valuing Historic
Places
Click graphic for PDF download |
 |
Making
Heritage Work
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