“Historic cities are powerful places for creating new models of sustainable development. Through this program, CHiFA is proud to support city leaders in shaping investment-ready strategies that respond to local needs while unlocking the global potential of heritage.” — Bonnie Burnham, CHiFA President
As we begin Stage 2 of the 2025–26 Urban Heritage Regeneration Accelerator, we reflect back on all that was learned and accomplished in Stage 1. Our pilot cities have completed their initial analysis and data collection across social, economic, environmental, political, and heritage dimensions and are moving closer to finalizing an investment-ready regeneration vision rooted in their unique local context and cultural heritage.
Laying the Groundwork for Heritage-Led Urban Regeneration
The Accelerator was designed to help cities transform their cultural assets into drivers of sustainable development. In this first stage, teams focused on diagnosing the urban challenges and considering opportunities in their historic environments. Stage 1 set a shared foundation for heritage-led transformation through interactive presentations, one-on-one mentoring sessions, and skills-sharing meetings between participants. This work produced a baseline that Stage 2 will convert into a pipeline of investable pilot projects.
Grounded in CHiFA’s global Case Studies in Heritage Regeneration, participants explored how historic places have catalyzed inclusive economic and social renewal and what makes those models investable at scale. Cities explored the core principles of heritage economics and finance—how to structure projects that align public and private interests and mobilize blended capital—through global examples. Next, looking at New York City’s crisis-to-revival playbook, we considered the role of civic innovation, partnerships, and market discipline in turning policy intent into results. Finally, we positioned climate resilience and risk management as central to sustainable development strategy, underscoring why regeneration can deliver economic, social, and environmental co-benefits when designed with data and impact in mind. These sessions affirmed a shared belief that heritage isn’t just about preservation for preservation’s sake, but it’s about building the cities of the future.
As Stage 1 wrapped, the cities consolidated their findings into a narrative that will guide next steps. They conducted a SWOT analysis and converted their findings into a statement of their Vision for Urban Regeneration. As we embark on Stage 2, the cities will translate their visions into potential projects that reflect both community priorities and long-term urban goals.
Thank you to our expert contributors that led the exploration of critical themes at the intersection of heritage economics, historic preservation, urban planning and policy: M. Blaise Backer (Community Steward Solutions), Norma Barbacci (Norma Barbacci Preservation Consultants), Morris Hylton III (Preservation Sarasota), Marc Jahr (Forsyth Advisors), Salmaan Khan, AICP (Central Park Conservancy), Dr. Tracy Pickerill (School of Surveying & Construction Innovation, TU Dublin), Donovan Rypkema (PlaceEconomics), Michael Savage (TAI Group), Sari Uricheck (Acanthus Conservation), Kathryn Wylde (Partnership for New York City)
Thank you to CHiFA leadership, mentors, and facilitators who are working with the cities to provide targeted guidance throughout the program: Bonnie Burnham; Gary Hattem; Guido Licciardi, PhD; Derek A.R. Moore, PhD, FAIA; Eduardo Rojas, PhD; and Keith Wright.
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