Tensions between Urban Heritage Policy and Compact City Planning - A Practice Review

The 'compact city' is generally considered to represent a sustainable urban form. However, transformation of urban sites as consequence of compact city planning potentially conflicts with heritage interests. A reading of a selection of scientific articles in land-use and heritage journals, supplemented with thematic plans, indicates that there is a need to bridge the gap between urban heritage policy and planning for the compact city. When challenged by strong pro-development partners to present convincing alternative perspectives, specialised heritage competence would benefit from skills within land-use planning and vice versa. Disciplinary and sectorial barriers need to be crossed.