Cultural and Natural Heritage - Plan Design Enable
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Cultural and
Natural Heritage
Plan Design Enable
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Atkins is one of the world’s leading engineering and design consultancies.
Our environmental teams are at the heart of everything we do, working across
cities, energy, civil infrastructure and critical natural resource projects of all kinds,
to create a liveable future.
We are expert in balancing the social and economic demand for development
with the need to preserve and enhance our natural environment and heritage
assets.
We are ambitious and creative in our thinking about what is possible, evolving
our services and developing new ones as the need emerges.
We are at the cutting edge in predicting, assessing and finding ways to adapt to
complex environmental change and resource criticality.
We are at the forefront of carbon critical design, helping our clients to reduce
and manage their carbon footprints and prepare for a changing climate.
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Our Heritage – Their Future
Heritage is all those valuable places that have come to us from yesterday and we
have created today, that we want to pass on to the generations of tomorrow. But
safeguarding the world’s natural beauty, historic monuments, ecosystems and
traditional cities isn’t only about protection and preservation. Its about enlisting
these critical resources to strengthen development, enrich renewal, increase
prosperity, meet climate targets, create liveability and enhance image – building
communities that can face the future with confidence and resilience.
We present examples of our work across the globe:
• Conserving the world’s most extraordinary places
• Enhancing places for tourists
• Renewing places through culture and nature
• Developing places sustainably
• Advising and innovating for government and business
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Conserving the World’s
Most Extraordinary Places
… needs deep and wide expertise in archaeology, ecology, botany,
architecture, landscape, zoology and all the other scientists and disciplines
that create feasible strategic management plans and design solutions and
innovations – preserving assets for the future that can be enjoyed today.
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Bahla Fort & Oasis, World Heritage Site
Oman
Bahla Fort and Oasis is a well-known cultural tourism destination and a World
Heritage Site but it was in danger due to the vulnerable condition of its many
earthen structures and the rapid pace of modernisation. We developed a
Management Plan and Urban Design developing an understanding of the site, and
its cultural, physical, planning, social and institutional contexts; evaluating cultural
values and identifying its significance, current situation and vulnerability. Our
strategic framework addressed sustainable tourism, local skill capacity development
and, as well as conservation, sustainable tourism and management. We worked
with local community groups, to the UNESCO requirements, International
Conservation Charters and the principles of sustainable tourism. Our plans ensured
that the cultural and historic values could be maintained, while the town remained
vibrant both as a place to live and as a tourism destination.
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Everglades World Heritage Site
USA
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) is the world’s largest
and most unique environmental ecosystem restoration project. It encompasses
more than 18,000 square miles, includes 68 components – including ecological
rejuvenation, water storage and wastewater reuse, flood control, and recreation -
and with an estimated cost of $7.8 billion, will take more than 30 years to construct.
In a joint venture Atkins is working with USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) who
are responsible for the project, to provide program management support.
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Houses of Parliament &
Westminster Abbey
London, United Kingdom
The World Heritage Site of the Houses of Parliament and
Westminster Abbey is one of the most visited in the UK
and also a place of work, politics and commerce. Atkins
prepared a Management Plan for the highly complex and
symbolic World Heritage Site which lies at the heart of the
UKs democratic and religious history, in accordance with
UNESCO standards. The team of conservation architects,
urban designers, transport, interpretation, tourism, and
heritage specialists addressed issues associated with the
setting, dignity, and accessibility of the site. The Management
Plan will guide the future of the site, ensuring that the
significance and universal values are safeguarded and
enhanced, while flourishing as a thriving tourist and
educational experience.
8 8Korup National Park
Cameroon
Atkins provided specialist skills to develop a Management Plan
Framework for the national park. The purpose of the project is
to conserve the biodiversity of the lowland tropical forests while
promoting social and economic development of the sustainable use
of natural resources in the surrounding support zone. The provision
of social and physical infrastructure in the support zone was a central
element of the project to allow the resettlement of six villages still
within the park that were having a major impact on wildlife.
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Neolithic Orkney, World Heritage Site
Scotland, United Kingdom
Orkney, in the north of Scotland is one of the world’s most important, prehistoric sites. It is important to
protect all the visual qualities both for heritage conservation and to ensure a very special visitor experience.
We prepared a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the setting of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney WHS and
recommendations relating to the review of the buffer zone which protects the views and historic context
of the monument. The analysis was well received and will be used to support the development of detailed
supplementary planning guidance.
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Enhancing Places for Tourists
… needs passion for creating memorable experiences for visitors and
holidaymakers combined with knowledge of the tourism industry and
experience of concepting and designing resorts and infrastructure – building
dreams from nature and culture.
13New National Botanic Reserve
Muscat, Oman
We developed a masterplan and feasibility study for a regionally feasibility study, involving our tourism economists, planners, architects,
important tourist and visitor destination based on the creation of Oman’s botanists, engineers and cultural specialists, looked at the regional and
first Botanic Reserve. The vision was to showcase the ecologically rich national tourism and economic context and our architectural and spatial
Middle East’s 1,200 species of native plants, 76 of which are found only design included biomes, visitor centre, study centre and holiday village.
in Oman. The masterplan successfully combined conservation, research
and education relating to internationally important species ,with hotel The project forms part of Oman’s national strategy to develop its tourism
and recreation which celebrating Omani culture and traditions. Our industry using the country’s diverse cultural and natural assets.
14Jigongshan
China
Jigongshan has been a mountain resort for over 100 years and
is still one of the nation’s most important destinations. It is
important for a large number of historic buildings, rare wildlife
species and stunning scenic views. The development of the
resort will help to revitalise the economic and social situation
of the area. We have developed a strategy to create a new
town, conference centre and modern resort at the foot of the
mountain and enhance the full natural and cultural heritage
visitor offer at the summit. We undertook market and economic
appraisal, benchmarking and positioning as well as identification
of the key cultural and natural heritage assets, the themes and
stories which arise from them as well as scheme of interpretation
media and visitor offers including museums, study, orientation,
outdoor and interpretation centres.
15National Strategy for
Visitor and Interpretation
Wales, United Kingdom
Encompassing places as diverse as medieval castles, Neolithic
tombs and 19th century furnaces, CADW’s estate of historic
properties forms the back bone of Wales’ national heritage.
Working with Bremner & Orr, we prepared a nationwide
interpretation strategy for this rich and complex estate. We
developed proposals for interpretation, visitor welcome and
engagement at a number of pilot sites and developing a
methodology for the rest of the estate. We devised concepts,
themes and stories to present a narrative for interpreting the
history and heritage of Wales.
16Harat Al Ramel
Ibri, Oman
Atkins was commissioned by the Kingdom of Oman Ministry
of Tourism to undertake a Feasibility Study for sustainable
tourism development of the Harat in the context of the wider
historic setting of the town of Ibri and its surrounding region.
We provided concepts for developing the historic village
as heritage-based visitor attraction to help the economic
revitalisation of the area and undertook the economic,
cultural and social assessment and developed a strategy for
conservation of the buildings. Our concept included the
provision of conservation facilities, interpretation, museum
and information centre, lodge-style accommodation, artisan
workshops and a souk. A number of dwellings would also be
restored for programmes of traditional re-enactments as well
as holiday accommodation.
17Socotra Archipelago
Yemen
The Socotra archipelago,famous world-wide for its fauna and
flora is one of the least developed parts of the Yemen Republic,
yet immensely valuable as a destination for eco-tourism. We
recommended a phased eco-tourism development plan based on
building eco-lodges and training programmes for local people.
We prepared a masterplan for the islands’ development over a
ten year period, looking at the existing situation in a variety of
sectors - environment, population, health, education, fisheries,
agriculture, livestock, tourism, economy, infrastructure, utilities,
local government administration, water and land use - and
devised projects for implementation in each sector, ensuring each
element did not threaten the important wildlife.
18Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
The Giant’s Causeway attracts many tourists and visitors to see the remarkable
geological formations and spectacular scenery of the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland.
It is also the place of many legends and historic events that have helped to shape the
image of Ireland. We developed an Interpretation Strategy for the World Heritage Site
to provide a seamless and inspirational visitor experience that reflected the stunning
beauty and drama of the site and the many geological, ecological and mythological
stories associated with it. The study also involved extensive analysis of visitor numbers,
profiles and requirements to ensure that the final result would meet the needs of
visitors of all ages and abilities.
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Renewing Places Through
Culture and Nature
… needs the confidence to see that economic and social development and
can be led by revitalising historic assets, greening villages and cities, and
engaging communities – regenerating through heritage.
21National Planning Strategy
Kingdom of Bahrain
Cultural and eco-tourism is an essential element of our
work in developing and implementing Bahrain’s National
Development Planning Strategy. The project provides an
opportunity to take a similar strategic overview of the
kingdom’s terrestrial and coastal cultural and natural
resources and the infrastructure for tourists and visitors. Its
heritage includes thousands of burial mounds dating from
the bronze age, Bahrain Fort, the historic towns of Muharraq
and Manama, and sites relating to aspects of the country’s
economic history, including pearl diving, local craftsmanship
and the oil industry. We are developing land use,
environmental management, industry, transport and social
solutions, as well as legislation and governance to ensure that
Bahrain is a high-quality place to visit.
22Old City of Linjang
World Heritage Site
Development Masterplan
China
Atkins helped conserve the setting of the Old Town of
Lijiang World Heritage Site (China) which has been billed
as China’s last “living” ancient town. The centuries-
old town centre is suffering from indiscriminate
modern development, earthquakes and mass tourism.
Atkins prepared a masterplan proposal to encourage
sustainable and appropriate new development away
from the historic core whilst retaining the setting and
character of the World Heritage Site.
23Tourism Development
Namibia
Since independence in 1990, Namibia has been preparing
a series of new policies and plans to define the country’s
future development paths. As part of this process, in
recognition of the fact that Namibia has many wildlife
and scenic attractions with great tourism potential, the
EC agreed to fund the preparation of a ten year tourism
development plan. However, many of the country’s wildlife
and scenic resources are fragile in nature and some areas
are also home to societies that followed very traditional
ways of life. We were commissioned to develop a plan
balancing development against environmental protection.
We made recommendations aimed at ensuring the
physical and biological values were not degraded and that
developments would be acceptable to residents.
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Nepal Eco Tourism
Nepal
This project was designed to address poverty, gender and
environmental issues in Nepal within the context of tourism
development, by developing a programme of action for different
sectors and areas and empowering local governments and
communities to implement their own projects.
A number of hill towns and remote areas were identified for
tourism development, together with ‘sub projects’ such as
infrastructure improvements community development and
tourism training.
26Social Benefits of Heritage
In association with the Institute of Field Archaeologists and
London Metropolitan University, we undertook research
into the ways in which the historic environment provides
social and economic benefit. The study identified ways
of measuring these benefits and provided guidelines to
assist with social regeneration and the development of
sustainable communities.
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Developing Places Sustainably
… needs the strength to ensure that the valuable environment is not
needlessly lost when building new communities and providing essential
infrastructure and resources, and the skill to deliver proportionate assessment
and mitigation – ensuring that development and environment can work in
harmony.
29London 2012 Olympics
United Kingdom
The site identified for the London 2012 Olympic Park contains
highly significant archaeological remains and deposits relating
to the development of this part of the city. We provided the
Olympic Delivery Authority with full cultural heritage and
environmental impact assessment services and assisted in
the management of a major programme of archaeological
excavations, to support the delivery of the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games, ensuring value for money as
well as meeting the planning and environmental obligations of
the Olympic Delivery Authority.
30Hoover Dam Bypass
USA
For 75 years, travellers along US Route 93 between Arizona
and Nevada have driven across the top of the Hoover Dam,
high above the Colorado River. But because of increasing
concerns about safety and the effect of any interruption of
power and water supply as a result of a car crash, a bypass was
recently opened.
The environmentally sensitive and historic features of the
location meant that all aspects of the project’s progress and
visual quality were under intense public scrutiny through all
phases of the project. We provided inspection and quality
assurance to support the Central Federal Lands Highway
Division’s construction management team.
31Vojvodina Windfarm
Serbia
Renewable energy will help us to combat climate change and is becoming part of infrastructure development.
We were asked to undertake a habitat survey of a proposed 160 MW windfarm site in Vojvodina province, Serbia
by Continental Wind Partners as part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment needed for the Serbian
planning process. The proposed covers an area of 60 km2 and lies at the south of the Pannonian Plain of central
Europe, with relict fragments of the steppe grasslands which would have once covered much of this area are still
present around the margins of the site.
We identified and mapped habitats present within the site, and assessed potential for legally protected or notable
species. We used the internationally recognised British technique of Phase 1 habitat mapping developed by the
Joint Nature Conservation Committee, along with the EUNIS (European Union Nature Information System) system
of European habitat classification developed by the European Environment Agency.
A terrestrial ecologist from Atkins worked alongside a local ecological specialist from Belgrade University.
32Crossrail
London, United Kingdom
Crossrail is a new railway across London, from Heathrow
Airport and commuter areas in the west, to Canary
Wharf and the east. Due to open in 2018, more than
200m passengers are expected to use it each year.
Atkins with Arup, has been working on many aspects
of this prestigious project and a wide range of our
environmental specialists are involved providing services
including geotechnical engineering, planning, heritage,
waste management, ecology and public realm.
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Advising and Innovating
for Government and Business
…needs the imagination to take a strategic view, lead in debate and devise
new approaches, combined with the credibility to provide dependable
expertise and solutions – bringing a global perspective to unique places.
35Heritage Protection Review
As part of the UK Government’s review of Heritage Protection in England and
Wales we were appointed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and
English Heritage, to undertake a review of delivery at local level of the new
heritage protection regime. Our work involved detailed research and consultation
including interviews, surveys and analysis of the ways in which Local Authorities
manage the historic environment and deliver heritage services across England. Our
report was published in 2006 alongside the White Paper for the Heritage Protection
Bill to Parliament.
We were subsequently reappointed to undertake further research into how the
proposed changes can help local heritage services deliver better public value.
36South Downs National Park
United Kingdom
Atkins seconded a key member of its Heritage team to support the establishment of the South Downs
National Park Authority. The South Downs is the newest and one of the largest National Parks in the
United Kingdom, covering an area of some 1,600km2, and is home to over 120,000 people. Our role
included a strategic assessment of the physical and intangible cultural heritage of the entire park, which
includes thousands of designated historic buildings and settlements, hundreds of protected archaeological
monuments and many examples of local traditions and living culture, as well as partnership building,
project initiation and the development of a 3 year work programme for the newly recruited heritage team.
37Images of Change
For English Heritage we prepared their position statement on the
heritage of the twentieth century Change and Creation in 2004.
Working with Oxford University and University College London we
then produced Images of Change: an archaeology of England’s
contemporary landscape, published by EH. This beautifully illustrated
200 page book explores England’s post-war landscape. It represents
a modern agenda for re-examining the seldom celebrated but still
crucial elements of our 20th Century cultural heritage such as airports,
schools, power stations and holiday camps. The Foreword is by Antony
Gormley.
The book has been praised in the national press, described by the New
Statesman as “wonderfully enjoyable, even an important book …
designed to be used”, and by the Sunday Telegraph as “valuable and
thought-provoking” revealing “surprising beauty in the most unlikely
places”.
© Gareth Talbot
38Future of London’s Royal Parks
United Kingdom
Atkins has taken a lead in developing a programme of workshops and
debates to consider the future value of the Royal Parks, arguably London’s
most important and iconic open spaces. Our role was to identify the
current historic, cultural, social, economic and natural capital value of
the Royal Parks and to consider how those values – and our responses to
management - may change given the impact of a number of different
climate change scenarios.
39Thought-Leading Ecology
United Kingdom
Atkins is known for pragmatic and innovative solutions to
potential ecological constraints that have provided real
business benefits. The best ideas are written up for a range
of publications and journals to keep us ahead of the game.
Recent topics include articles on great crested newts and
mineral extraction (Mineral Planning), habitat translocation
and engineering (Civil Engineering), ecosystem services (WEM
magazine), mammals and road underpasses (Conservation
Evidence), urban greenspace (Routledge Handbook of Urban
Ecology), urban biodiversity (Urban Ecology, OUP) and
sustainable urban drainage systems (Municipal Engineering).
40GR8888 - Cities (Cultural and Natural Heritage), 20110831
41Janet Miller Director Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London NW1 3AT England Telephone +44 (0) 20 7121 2264 Mobile +44 (0) 7711 78 7915 Fax +44 (0) 20 7121 2806 Email janet.miller@atkinsglobal.com www.atkinsglobal.com The Atkins logo, ‘Carbon Critical Design’ and the strapline ‘Plan Design Enable’ are trademarks of Atkins Ltd. © Atkins Ltd except where stated otherwise 42
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