Cultural Heritage

Mitigation Measures > Interpretation Strategies and Plans

An extensive Interpretive Plan will be drawn up during the detailed design stage of the Project and with close reference to the ongoing conservation architectural planning. This draws on the best traditions of the original formulator of heritage interpretation, Freeman Tilden, that: – Any interpretation that does not somehow relate what is being displayed or described to something within the personality or experience of the visitor will be sterile. – Information, as such, is not Interpretation. Interpretation is revelation based on information. But they are entirely different things. However, all interpretation includes information. – Interpretation is an art, which combines many arts, whether the materials presented are scientific, historical, or architectural. Any art is to some degree teachable. – The chief aim of Interpretation is not instruction, but provocation. – Interpretation should aim to present a whole rather than a part, and must address itself to the whole person rather than any phase. – Interpretation addressed to children (say, up to the age of twelve) should not be a dilution of the presentation to adults, but should follow a fundamentally different approach. To be at its best it will require a separate program. The Interpretive Plan is intended to outline initial interpretive strategies to relate, reveal and provoke. Other aims of the interpretation that have been taken into account are to Orientate, Inform, Entertain, Persuade, Explain, Promote values, Influence behaviour, and develop a sense of identity or place. The interpretive strategy for the Site is about communicating a sense of value to users so that they may understand the reason for conserving the buildings and objects above or below ground, and may even be inspired to become actively involved in that process. The Interpretive Plan therefore maps out an initial strategy to turn the principles of interpretation into a reality for this Site. It aims to be a clear statement of the aims, context, issues, approaches and methods of implementation for this Site. It should act as both a strategic framework for building consensus for the objectives of the Site, as well as a plan of action for future consultants by: – Defining the objectives of the interpretation – Providing an overview of the context within which the interpretation takes place – Defining opportunities and constraints for interpretation on the Site – Exploring interpretive approaches – Laying down a messaging strategy – Expressing a mission statement for interpretation – Outlining implications for the Site of the interpretation – Suggesting methods and media of interpretation Areas addressed in the Interpretation Strategies and Plans included: – Visitor Target Groups – Site Interpretation – Interpretation Strategies – A Range of Visits – The Development of the Interpretive Strategy Going Forward