Guidelines for the management of the historic centre of Krakow
In the year of the 45th anniversary of the inscription, Krakow developed the “UNESCO World Heritage Site Management Plan for the Historic Centre of Krakow” and started work on a strategic document including guidelines for the effective management of the historic area for the years 2023–2035. This is exactly what this document is, and it aims to operationalise the implementation of tasks in the field of heritage, through integrating municipal entities, specialised public agencies, cultural institutions and the NGO sector in working towards the common goal of preserving and developing the WHS and protecting the OUV (the outstanding universal value) of which it is the carrier.
“Guidelines for the Management of the Historic Centre of Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the years 2023–2035” are, by design, multidimensional in nature. They are a record of the planned direction of the city, which will be able to address the challenges identified above and meet the key objectives set for them. It is intended that Krakow should be a unique place that cares for its historic monuments, built on its rich tradition, but is also open to development and keeps up with the times. Making use of heritage of global significance, Krakow wants to create conditions for development for different social groups, build opportunities for the formation of a strong local identity, and actively engage in international dialogue. These Guidelines are based on the principle of partnership and attentiveness to the needs of residents.
The document was commissioned by the Department of Culture and National Heritage of the City of Krakow, and is the result of cooperation between the working team and experts from the Małopolska Institute of Culture (MIK) in Krakow. The essential elements of the material presented were developed during a series of meetings, consultations and workshops that took place between December 2022 and April 2023. The workshop meetings made it possible to make better use of the knowledge, experiences and suggestions of the various stakeholders, and to establish a common vision for the management of Krakow’s unique heritage.
