Heritage Works – Arts, Culture and Placemaking in a Historic City

In one of the world’s most iconic historic cities, the Heritage Works event arrives in Edinburgh for a day dedicated to exploring how arts, culture, and placemaking can shape vibrant, resilient urban futures.

Bringing together local authorities, heritage bodies, cultural practitioners, arts professionals, and community stakeholders, this symposium delves into the unique potential of historic cities; places where centuries of architectural legacy meet contemporary creative ambition.

Against Edinburgh’s backdrop of medieval closes, Georgian crescents, and world-renowned arts and culture festivals and programming, the event shines a spotlight on the opportunities and challenges of cultivating thriving public realms rooted in heritage.

Through engaging talks, sector updates, legislative insights, and hands-on discussions, delegates will consider how cultural programming, public art, adaptive reuse, and community-led design can enrich historic environments while supporting economic vitality and social wellbeing.

What to expect:

• Creative approaches to placemaking in heritage-rich urban settings

• Strategies for embedding arts and culture at the heart of regeneration

• Up-to-date sector insights and relevant policy or legislative changes

• Case studies from Edinburgh and wider afield

• Opportunities to connect with heritage professionals, cultural leaders, and urban change-makers

Running order for the day:

• 9:30am – Arrivals, Refreshments, and informal networking
• 10:00am – Morning Session 1 – Animating the City: The Role of Arts and Culture in Regenerative Growth: Delivered by Westaly Duignan from Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and Hazel Johnson from Hidden Door Arts and BEFS (Built Environment Forum Scotland)
• 11:15am – Break, Refreshments, and informal networking
• 11:30 – Morning Session 2 – Navigating client relationships to deliver impactful heritage projects: Delivered by Melanie Hay and Nick Van Jonker from HHVJ (Hamilton Hay Van Jonker)
• 12:10 – Morning Session 3 – From Historic Assets to Living Places: A Heritage-Led Placemaking Session – With Bea Nichol from Historic Enviornment Scotland
• 1:00pm – Lunch & Networking
• 2:00pm – Tours and Site Visits around Edinburgh including to Fringe Central, Charlotte Square and Riddles Court
• 4:30pm – Event concludes

Join us in the historic city of Edinburgh for a day of ideas, inspiration, collaboration and interesting site visits.

Code of conduct

We aim for all of our events to be inclusive, safe spaces where everyone’s views and experiences are respected. Please read our code of conduct for more information.

Discounted tickets

Network, Partner and Supporter members can book for a heavily discounted fee. You should have received an email with a code to access the discounted tickets. Click the red ‘Get tickets’ button and enter your code in the box that says, ‘Promo Code’. The discounted ticket options will be revealed.

Tickets are £60 for members and £120 for non-members

If you did not get the ‘promo code’ or if the entry price is a barrier to entry please email james@heritagenetwork.org.uk

If you would like to join the Heritage Network and receive discounted ticket prices alongside an array of other membership benefits, please go online to find out more information. Annual membership starts from just £75 for individuals, £125 for not-for-profit organisations, £360 inc VAT for businesses and £300 for local authorities. Heritage Network is the UK’s umbrella organisation for not-for-profit organisations, authorities and businesses that are rescuing, restoring and managing historic buildings and places.

Join us today at www.heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk/members/join-us/