Intangible Heritage and Design in Historic Contexts

This research examines how intangible cultural heritage (ICH) informs historic environment policy and practice within Historic England’s remit. Undertaken through an AHRC Innovation Scholars secondment (2023-25), it explores how lived experience, community memory, and cultural practices shape the significance of historic places and how these intangible dimensions can be recognised within design, conservation, and broader decision-making. Evidence was gathered through internal focus groups with Historic England staff across a range of departments and roles, three detailed case studies – Bootham Crescent, York; Heritage Building Skills Programme; and Kirkham High Street Heritage Action Zone – and a wider analysis of policy, research, and documentary sources. Findings identified five ‘Cultural Mechanisms’ – materials, spaces, practices, narratives, and experiences – that describe how people create and sustain meaning through place. From these, the study developed two sets of interconnected guidance: eight ‘Designer Principles’ for architects and conservation practitioners; and eight ‘Decision-Maker Priorities’ for funders, policymakers, and asset owners. Together they provide a shared framework and practical tools for integrating ICH within heritage processes, supporting Historic England’s ambition to sustain the historic environment as a living cultural process grounded in the relationship between people, practice, and place. This research is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Grant Number AH/X005240/1.