Designation (heritage assets)

Designation is the act of setting aside something, or devoting it to a particular purpose. In the legal planning context, it is also “the action of choosing a place for a special purpose or giving it a special status”. The process of designation confers a legal status on a property by a specific law and provides a degree of legal protection (which varies by country). The term ‘designation’ is used when referring to the formal protection by legal statute for a wide range of heritage assets, including listed buildings and World Heritage Sites as well as many others.

Designation (heritage assets)

Designation is the act of setting aside something, or devoting it to a particular purpose. In the legal planning context, it is also “the action of choosing a place for a special purpose or giving it a special status”. The process of designation confers a legal status on a property by a specific law and provides a degree of legal protection (which varies by country). The term ‘designation’ is used when referring to the formal protection by legal statute for a wide range of heritage assets, including listed buildings and World Heritage Sites as well as many others.