DOE Hosts Built Heritage Event

The Department of the Environment (DOE) has hosted a UK-wide conference to highlight the importance that regenerating our Built Heritage has on social and economic development. Entitled ‘Opening Doors to the Future’, the conference was organised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in partnership with Armagh City and District Council and the Prince’s Regeneration Trust. Speakers from across the UK attended the event in the Armagh Planetarium. Key players from local government and financial institutions, along with developers and educators, were on hand to hea how the built heritage can contribute to sustainable economic and social development.

Delivering his keynote address, Environment Minister Alex Attwood stated: “I have a firm conviction about the purpose of the Department of the Environment – it is to be the leading Environment Ministry and a leading Economy Ministry. That is its twin track role.”
He continued: “If we are to grow tourism to a £1billion a year industry, with the jobs and opportunities that follow, we must both protect and positively develop the built and natural heritage. This is one purpose of this Conference, to demonstrate how the built heritage can contribute to sustainable economic development.
“The second purpose is how to help all people, particularly the young, take ownership of our built and historic environment. “Today is a signpost to the future where we value and respect more our built environment and where we positively develop our built heritage. These are great challenges and opportunities, but ones we are and can measure up to,” the Minister added.