Join us
it en
Join us
ABOUT US
HISTORIC CENTRE OF FLORENCE
UNESCO SYSTEM
MANAGEMENT PLAN
NEWS & RESOURCES
CONTACT US
The Third Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Florence
The Management Plans

HECO (HEritage COlours)

 

HECO is a project born from the UNESCO Office of the Municipality of Florence and the Department of Architecture of the University of Florence which has been realized within the framework of the cojoint permanent workshop “Heritage CityLab”.

HECO – funded by the Italian Ministry of cultural heritage and activities and tourism through the Law 77/2006 “Special measures for protection and
enjoyment of the Italian sites of cultural, landscape and environmental interest inscribed in the World Heritage List and placed under the protection of UNESCO” – is an integrated system of open data of the architecture of the Historic Centre, is based on recognition of the chromatic language of the architecture. It aims to develop guidelines and applications for use in urban prevention and maintenance operations. The project ought to be useful in a number of fields. In the sphere of programmed maintenance and prevention, the monitoring of operations carried out on the architectural heritage makes it possible to plan future controls and operations, setting alerts when the maximum time between one monitoring and the following one has expired. In the framework of management of the art city it is possible to know the economic requirements for the actions of maintenance and renovation of the facades of the buildings. In the area of planning, it is possible to know and visualise the priorities of action for a conscientious programming of the maintenance actions. In the sphere of urban decor, the survey of the colours of the grounds, the cornices and the basements enables the definition of appropriate methods for the conservation and enhancement of the building facades, with identification of the chromatic matrices, the colour palettes and the material prototypes.

 

Objectives: 

  • To draft strategic guidelines for the performance of operations of prevention, maintenance and conservation of the architectural features of the historic Florentine building stock and the open spaces which specifically distinguish this particular UNESCO site.
  • To enhance the Heritage Colours, an expression of the architectural and urban identity of the city, through the colours that adorn it and underscore aspects of its decor.
  • To monitor the state of conservation of the public and private buildings, the historic gardens, the pavements of the streets and squares, indicating the aspects of deterioration, the priorities, the criticalities and the methods of execution for a programmed management of the operations.
  • To catalogue the listed buildings in the Historic Centre (pursuant to Law 1089/39) using an Open Data system on a geo-referenced GIS base.

 

 

 

FAQ

Why is the Historic Centre of Florence a World Heritage Site?

The Historic Centre of Florence was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982. The justification for its inscription is contained within the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, which articulates the criteria for inscription of the site, its integrity, authenticity and the management system for its protection. The Historic Centre of Florence is considered to be a unique artistic achievement embedding museums, churches, palaces and globally renowned cultural goods of inestimable value. The city has also been able to exert an important cultural, economic and architectural influence in Italy and Europe for centuries, defining itself as the birthplace of modern Humanism and Renaissance values. The stratification of these values is also enriched by the relationship between the Historic Centre and the surrounding hills, which form a perfect harmonious backstage.

What is the area of the city of Florence inscribed on the World Heritage List?

The Core Zone inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982 coincides with the Historic Centre of Florence, traditionally identified with the area included within the avenues corresponding to the ancient circle of the fourteenth-century walls. In 2021, a boundary modification of the perimeter was approved to include the complex of San Miniato al Monte and the surrounding area. The Buffer Zone of the site encompasses the eighteen Belvedere points and includes part of the territories of four municipalities: the Municipality of Florence, the Municipality of Sesto Fiorentino, the Municipality of Fiesole and the Municipality of Bagno a Ripoli.  

What is the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)?

Cultural and/or natural significance that is so exceptional that it transcends national boundaries and is of common importance to present and future generations of humanity as a whole, constituting the fundamental requirement for the inscription of porperties on the World Heritage List. The properties  deemed to hold Outstanding Universal Value can be included in the World Heritage List if:

  • They satisfy one or more Selection Criteria;
  • They respect the conditions of Integrity and Authenticity;
  • They have an adequate Protection and Management System to ensure their safeguarding
Read all FAQs