On 7, 8 and 9 May, Seville was the venue for a meeting of local authorities to present and assess the guide Historic Districts for All. This is a series of documents aimed at municipal authorities and professionals in city rehabilitation, with the aim of sensitizing and providing guidance and training in new criteria of rehabilitation for historic districts.
The 100 participants included representatives of some 20 countries, presenting a rich and varied range of rehabilitation experiences in four continents: Bogotá (Colombia), Havana (Cuba), Lamu (Kenya), Tel Aviv (Israel), Bangalore (India), Santo Domingo (Dominican republic), Budapest (Hungary), Shanghai and Qufu (China), Portland (USA), Sana’a (Yemen), Jableh (Syria) and Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
The presentations provided an excellent example of how different places and cultural contexts prioritize different aspects when addressing historic districts. This highlighted the need to establish essential principles to inform all interventions with a social and human approach in order to achieve sustainable revitalization the world over.
On the basis of the principles outlined in the guide, councillors from the city of Seville presented the challenges facing them, their concerns, projects and current situation. The Councillor for Urban Planning highlighted the importance of political will in implementing rehabilitation and outlined what the historic district should mean to its inhabitants as part of general city development. The Councillor for Mobility focused on public space, the Councillor for Culture addressed the issue of identification with the city, their counterpart in Tourism spoke about diversification and control of this activity, and the Municipal Housing Department concentrated on improved living conditions. These aspects were complemented by a visit to completed interventions and others still in course.
The last day focused on the contents of the guide Historic Districts for All, contrasting it with the experiences presented and analysing its application. To complement the guide, the attendants were also presented with the RehabiMed Method.