Using the Reference Plan framework, a selection process to determine a short list of priority heritage led interventions should be carried on to define two “Flagship” pilot heritage rehabilitation projects capable of driving and energising the wider “Community/heritage led urban strategy”.

Such projects should be recognisable, meet community expectations and ideally be relatively simple to conceive – at the least suggesting a high degree of viability. They should be sufficiently significant (symbolic) to initiate promotion of heritage inspired urban regeneration, to potentially attract funding (facilitate the mobilisation of existing or additional resources) or be capable of instigating negotiations with potential investors who would, at a later stage, design detailed rehabilitation projects.

The elaboration of two pilot heritage rehabilitation projects in each pilot town is previewed. In addition the activity and process of intervention foreseen is intended to generate further added value by including the dissemination of efforts and results, so raising awareness about the social and economic value of heritage amongst stakeholders. The pattern of activity to be followed in the Project Phase is again based on a step process, involving 4 elements: Scoping and selection of priority projects; Preliminary Technical Assessment; Feasibility Study; Conclusion and planning.

a. Country package: templates and Project Phase procedures

b. Communication: Web page (www.coe.int/comus) including fact sheets, news, newsletters, postcards, short films, brochures, community based awareness raising activities

c. National Coordinators: Gohar Grigoryan (Armenia); Natalia Khvir (Belarus), Leila Tumanishvili (Georgia), Orest Dabija (Republic of Moldova), Valentina Demian (Ukraine)

d. Lead Expert: Philip Stein

e. Steering Committee: Chiara Francini (DG NEAR, European Union); Hakan Shearer Demir (DGII, Council of Europe), Matthias Ripp (OWHC); Philip Stein (Lead Expert); Tim Williams (Technical Assistance, Eastern Partnership Programme); Gohar Grigoryan (Armenia); Natalia Khvir (Belarus), Leila Tumanishvili (Georgia), Andrei Chistol (Republic of Moldova), Valentina Demian (Ukraine)

3rd regional workshop took place in Kiev and Pryluky with the participation of 22 persons from 9 COMUS towns.  It was quite a dynamic and engaging workshop, including a study visit to the Pryluky historic center.  This event also marked the beginning of the Project Phase where selected flagship projects announced by each COMUS towns.

The programme included a number of sessions:

• Community –led Urban Strategies in Historic Towns, status of implementation and next steps
• Heritage as asset vs liability. Planning challenges in heritage towns. Demystifying the integrated approach: easier said than done.
• Urban planning and heritage in Ukraine.
  • Need to preserve. Planning instruments and failures.
  • Potential to capitalize. Planning constraints vs stimulents.
• Community engagement in planning processes.
• Presentation: Status of Pryluky Reference Plan and main highlights
  • Integrated planning in Pryluky– applying concepts to practice
• Visit to Pryluky

Relevant documents

• Workshop sessions I and II
• Workshop session III
• Workshop session IV
• Workshop session V

Study visit – Community Involvement in Heritage Planning – Bamberg, Germany

COMUS study visit with the focus on Community Involvement in Heritage Planning took place in Bamberg, Germany on 25-26 July 2016.  This successful visit was organised together with the Organization of World Heritage Cities Regional Secretariat in Regensburg and the Bamberg World Heritage Coordination team. 

• Programme

4th workshop Heritage Management

The 4th Regional Workshop on Heritage Management took place in Yerevan and Gyumri (Armenia), on 22-23 September 2016.  With the participation of 25 COMUS pilot town representatives, diverse issues on heritage management were focused on. 

• Programme
• Presentations:
  • Integrated management system 1
  • Integrated management system 2
  • Communication
  • Management
  • Peer supervision
  • Strategies, policies and tools
  • Photo documentation

5th workshop Mayors Gathering

The 5th Regional Workshop on Mayors Gathering took place in Tbilisi and Dusheti (Georgia), on 7-8 December 2016.  With the participation of 25 COMUS pilot town mayors, deputy mayors, national coordinators and project officers, the workshop focused on the following objectives;

To better conceptualize the importance of heritage as a resource for social and local economic development.

To discuss the COMUS methodology; importance of community participation and active citizenship, working with stakeholders, capacity for sustainable development and improved quality of life.

To examine future perspectives and generate strategic action points to integrate COMUS methodology and recommendations into local policies and strategies

• Programme
• Report
• Strategic Action Points for the Consolidation Phase