Shaping 24

Ghent12 + Norwich12 = SHAPING 24

Ghent and Norwich are together investing in cultural and touristic heritage.

Since March 2009 Ghent has had a “semi-official” partner city: Norwich. This city lies on the east coast of England, about 160 km to the north-east of London. Ghent and Norwich have a striking number of similarities, ranging from a comparably rich historical heritage to a traditional love of mustard.

SHAPING 24

The roots of the partnership go back to an initiative by the Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART). In its role as a foundation, HEART was commissioned by the city authorities to further develop Norwich’s heritage policy. Together with Ghent, HEART submitted a proposal to the EU for a joint cultural and touristic project. The core of this project is the linking of the 12 most important heritage sites in Norwich to 12 similar heritage sites in Ghent. The aim is to promote the 24 sites jointly, to present Ghent and Norwich as cultural heritage cities and to highlight the historical links between the Low Countries and the English region of Norfolk. The project has been named SHAPING 24, which stands for Strategies for Heritage Access Pathways In Norwich and Ghent.

SHAPING 24 is intended to lower the perceived threshold for heritage in both cities. By bringing together the main cultural features of Norwich and Ghent and making them accessible to all, the project aims to democratise heritage. This can be achieved by uniting the old (history, heritage and culture) with the new (wireless technology, digital media and interactive screens). The use of innovative ICT techniques can make the cultural heritage more accessible and more attractive for both residents and visitors.

The Ghent 12

The 12 Ghent historic sites included in SHAPING 24 are situated not only in the Historical Centre but also in the Arts Quarter and even further afield (Sint-Amandsberg). Here is the full list:

  1. The Lange Violettestraat (Small Beguinage) and Sint-Amandsberg beguinages (Great Beguinage) (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
  2. St Bavo Abbey
  3. St Peter's Abbey
  4. St Bavo's Cathedral
  5. St Nicholas' Church
  6. The Town Hall
  7. The Belfry (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  8. The Castle of the Counts
  9. The Clemmen Hotel (Museum Arnold Vander Haeghen) – Hotel D’Hane Steenhuyse cluster
  10. The Booktower
  11. The Bijloke site
  12. The Museum of Fine Arts

Grants

The EU’s European Regional Development Fund, part of the INTERREG IVA “2 Mers Seas Zeeën” 2007-2013 programme, has validated the application filed by HEART and Ghent. Each city will be receiving 1.15 million euros for the project, provided that Norwich and Ghent each invest an equal amount themselves. In Ghent, SHAPING 24 went into operation in October 2009 and will be running until April 2011.

Why Norwich?

Both Ghent and Norwich wished to further intensify the existing relationship between the two cities. After all, they had already enjoyed a successful collaboration in the Liveable City project, which aimed to improve the public space in the historical city centres.

Moreover, a closer look at the two cities’ history reveals that Ghent and Norwich share a surprising number of historical similarities: Flemish immigration to Norwich, the flowering of a textile industry in the Middle Ages and the accompanying trade. Both cities have also experienced a comparable decline as textiles centre in their region, each on their side of the North Sea. Furthermore, the two cities have a similar infrastructure in terms of cultural heritage, together with the challenge of using culture as an economic springboard.

Another shared feature is the love of mustard: Norwich too has its own traditional Colman’s mustard brand in the city, which historically speaking is just 24 years younger than Ghent’s Tierenteyn brand.

For more information on Norwich go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk

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