Given the negative publicity surrounding the principle and process of preserving South Africa’s historical buildings, it may be time to change the conversation around how we define and value our national heritage.

This is according to architect and heritage practitioner Bryan Wintermeyer, who is one of the executives in the Port Elizabeth office of SVA International.

“For me, the most interesting question is where heritage sits in relation to the economy and the business of making money,” says Wintermeyer, who holds a master’s degree in the conservation of the built environment.

 

Using the past to grow the future

Although it may seem contradictory, he believes the answer lies in using the past to facilitate future prosperity, which is especially relevant in the context of a developing state.

“We need to start thinking about heritage as an economic resource as opposed to an economic burden,” says Wintermeyer.

With many social ills such as unemployment, disease and lack of education currently topping the national and provincial government agendas, what to do about a deteriorating old building is naturally bottom of the priority list, says Wintermeyer.

“The fact that the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (PHRA) is one of the most underfunded units of the most underfunded provincial department – sport, recreation, arts and culture – bears testimony to this.”

But, he says, government should not lose sight of the fact that heritage can create investment opportunities and become a catalyst for economic development.

Wintermeyer says early twentieth century and post-war buildings tend to be have the added benefits of being solidly built with generous room sizes.

“An older block of flats usually has fewer and bigger units. So we turn a block of 10 units into 20 and suddenly the business plan is looking good. And it’s relatively quick because zoning and other issues are already in place.”

In addition, he says, agencies like Trust for Urban Housing Finance (TUHF) provide bridging finance for entrepreneurs and developers focusing on inner city redevelopment, where many of the older buildings are located.

“For them it’s a business case and the numbers work. Inner city sites are safest, get the most returns and are good business.”

 

Embracing heritage buildings

While the heritage approvals process is still confusing and often long drawn out, heritage specialists and other interest groups are able to guide investors through the process and provide a turnkey service from feasibility study to going to construction.

“The National Heritage Resources Act is based on international best practice and is extremely good in intention. In implementation it is extremely poor because we don’t have the manpower to execute it as intended. But between the special interest bodies and government, there’s a fairly comfortable middle ground now where things are working as best they can,” says Wintermeyer.

According to the Act, any building 60 years or older is considered a potential heritage building and is required to undergo certain additional checks by the PHRA to determine its value.

“In 10 years’ time, we’ll be thinking of heritage the same way we do the environmental impact – it’s just something developers have to do as part of their process.”