The Charter

Heritage
The heritage of a city - or of a area - is much wider than the simple sum of real estate and property collected in a place over many centuries. Heritage is also the relation of - and to - events, by which, generation after generation, a population gives a sense to that which distinguishes it from others, and to what relates it to the rest of humanity.

Heritage includes the traces of the intermingling and successive contributions which have forged the unique character of each city. It is also the sum of the attitudes of the population to this irreplaceable element of their common heritage.

Cities and Areas of Culture - A Living Heritage
The signatory cities of this present charter do not have a vocation to become museums. Their aim is to conserve and develop a diversified activity, at the heart of, and beyond, their historic centers.
They also endeavour to pursue the work of past builders through the harmonious integration of new constructions of quality.

Each City - or Area - of Culture defines and implements, within the limits of its jurisdiction, a detailed plan oh heritage preservation, enrichment and valorization of its heritage, translating these orientations into reality.

Cities and Areas of Culture - A Heritage for Everyone Built by Everyone.
One of the priorities of a City or Area of Culture is the re-appropriation by the population of its heritage. Therefore, everyone should be able to decipher, interpret, occupy and reinvent the common property of a city's public places and facilities. Inhabitants should be, more than just users, responsible and active citizens.
Each City or Area of Culture will rely on a qualified heritage mediation team.
Each European City - or Area - of Culture will include all involved partners (administration, university, organizations and societies, businesses…) in a permanent local heritage enhancement symposium.
Each European City or Area of Culture will work in close consultation with the inhabitants to define and re-appropriate local heritage.

Cities and Areas of Culture - Meeting Points and Places for the Sharing of Culture.
The common factor between our cities is our desire to be thriving cultural centres, and a meeting point between different cultures. We endeavour to make receiving visitors more than a simple economic activity, by turning it into a special opportunity for exchanges between fellow humans.

Each City or Area of Culture will carry out a cultural development policy for the whole of its population, with special attention to those who have more difficulties in accessing cultural life.
Each City or Area of Culture will endeavour to conceive and implement forms of welcome, which will enable visitors and inhabitants to meet in a real and effective way.

Cities and Areas of Culture - Guarantors of Long Term Development.
The Cities and Areas of Culture and Heritage share the common aim of making their local heritage a driving force for economic, cultural, and social development.

Heritage is too often considered a source for short term income. As for the Cities and Territories signatories of the present charter, they manage the heritage bequeathed to them with the constant concern for preserving their natural and cultural environments' quality as well as future generations' interests.

Each City or Area of Culture defines a global policy and carries out programmes for the preservation and enhancement of the quality of its natural and cultural environment.