Cultural environment and cultural heritage
Photo: Hans Bjurling, Johnér
Promoting a living cultural heritage that is preserved, used and developed is a national concern. Our cultural heritage belongs to everyone and provides a perspective on society. The involvement and participation of citizens are important prerequisites for ensuring that cultural heritage continues to live and develop. Efforts to make use of cultural heritage and cultural sites are also an important part of the development of a long-term sustainable society. The responsibility to protect and preserve the cultural environment is shared by all; both individuals and public authorities must show consideration and care.
State grants for cultural environment conservation and church heritage compensation help to preserve and make accessible valuable cultural sites throughout the country. These initiatives provide many people with access to cultural heritage, both in their local environment and at cultural sites of national interest.
Swedish National Heritage Board
The Swedish National Heritage Board is the government agency responsible for matters concerning the cultural environment and cultural heritage. Its remit includes working to ensure that the cultural values in buildings and the countryside are looked after and to represent cultural environment interests in community planning and construction. The Swedish National Heritage Board is to work for a sustainable society with good living environments and to lead and coordinate work to raise awareness in the agency's area of responsibility.
Regional and local cultural environment
County administrative boards are the regional authorities responsible for matters concerning the cultural environment and cultural heritage. They monitor cultural heritage issues in community planning and ensure compliance with laws and other regulations aimed at protecting the cultural environment. Municipalities also have important tasks when it comes to the cultural environment. They are responsible for ensuring that consideration is given to the cultural environment in physical municipal planning, such as renovation or construction work, or the detailed planning of cities or environments.
Inquiry into legislation and national objectives in the area of cultural environment
The Government has appointed an inquiry to review legislation and national objectives in the area of cultural environment. The inquiry remit is part of the renewal and development of policy levers in the area of cultural environment that were initiated in the Government Bill on culture policy, 'Time for culture' (2009/10:3). The remit includes proposing legislative amendments in the area of cultural environment that improve opportunities to live in, use and develop listed buildings and sites, and to propose how the special national objectives for work concerning the cultural environment could be made clearer and adapted to the new culture policy objectives. The inquiry is to submit its report by 31 March 2012.
