11TH US/ICOMOS INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

Developing a comprehensive approach to US participation in the global heritage

community

ABSTRACT (Issue area: Stewardship)

CULTURAL HERITAGE AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT:

U.S. Influence and Action

Public and private infrastructure development is a multi-trillion dollar global industry.

The acceleration in pace, volume and scale of construction projects presents both
opportunities and challenges for cultural heritage proponents, and requires their attention
and timely action. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), conducted during the
preparation stage of infrastructure projects provides the framework for treating cultural
heritage issues inherent in a development project, together with biophysical and social
factors. The EIA, is now required by major international financial institutions, such as
the World Bank Group, as well as by national law in most countries. The emerging
process of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a more comprehensive and
powerful planning tool providing for consideration of cultural heritage as a factor in
decision-making.

The U.S. National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) provided the early paradigm
for EIA legislation, policy and practice, and the inclusion of cultural heritage in NEPA
has been replicated widely. However, the degree of participation by cultural heritage
professionals and agencies in the EIA process, and in development planning, varies
widely from country to country throughout the world.

The presentation will examine the reasons for this situation, and describe the approaches
of several U.S. and international organizations to encourage the inclusion of cultural
heritage in EIA, in SEA, and more generally, in the infrastructure development process.
The policies and practices of these organizations will be discussed, with specific
illustrative examples. U.S. agencies include: the Agency for International Development
(USAID); the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC); the Export-Import Bank; and
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). International and regional institutions
include: the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Inter-
American Development Bank (IADB); the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP); and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO)

PRESENTER

Arlene K. Fleming
Cultural Resource and Development Specialist (Advisor at the World Bank and MCC)
Great Falls, Virginia USA
Telephone: 703-759-3701 Telefax: 703-759-6671 E-mail: halandarlene@msn.com