Cultural heritage in project planning and construction
Sweco provides comprehensive cultural heritage services to support zoning, land use planning, as well as infrastructure and construction projects. Our multidisciplinary team supports projects from start to finish – from preliminary studies to permitting processes and stakeholder engagement.
Our work is based on strong expertise in the built environment, archeology, landscape, and cultural heritage impact assessment. We work closely with authorities, clients, and other design disciplines to ensure smooth project progress and high-quality outcomes.
Cultural heritage services help identify and incorporate the historical, landscape, and cultural values of an area as part of a developing environment. They support sustainable decision-making and create a solid foundation for planning and projects that stand the test of time. Our services include, for example:
- Landscape and cultural heritage impact assessments as part of EIA procedures and planning processes
- Expert statements and cooperation with authorities
- Integration of cultural heritage into overall project solutions
- Surveys, impact assessments, risk analyses, and illustrative materials
Our broad expertise enables the integration of cultural heritage perspectives with fields such as transport, environment, urban planning, and energy solutions.
The built cultural environment evolves with change
Modern built cultural environments largely consist of 20th-century constructed environments. They reflect structural changes in society, the development of the welfare state, and modern ways of living.
We support zoning, construction projects, and regional development with studies that help identify the values of a site and integrate them with future land use.
Our services related to the built cultural environment include:
- Built cultural environment surveys
- Building history studies and reports
- Evaluation of sites of national, regional, and local significance
- Expert support for conservation, land use, and permitting
These services are particularly valuable for master planning and detailed zoning, renovation and infill development, as well as large-scale regional development projects.
Archaeological services – Reliable data to support planning
Sweco’s archaeological services support zoning, land use planning, as well as infrastructure and construction projects. We provide up-to-date and reliable information on archaeological cultural heritage, ancient remains, and their consideration as part of project planning. We work in close collaboration with planners, designers, and heritage authorities.
Archaeological studies supporting planning
- Archaeological surveys identify the archaeological potential of an area as well as known and potential ancient remains
- Detailed investigations provide in-depth information, for example, for detailed zoning plans
- Trial excavations determine the extent, dating, and state of preservation of sites
- Archaeological monitoring ensures that any findings uncovered during excavation work are properly documented
- Rescue excavations are carried out prior to land use changes in accordance with authority decisions
Cultural heritage in landscape design
Landscape design integrates the built environment and natural values into a sustainable blue-green framework. We take into account the cultural values of the landscape, land use needs, and environmental impacts.
Our services include:
- Landscape studies and cultural landscape analyses
- Landscape impact assessments (e.g. planning projects at various scales, wind and solar energy, transport, infrastructure)
- Integration of landscape and cultural heritage into the planning process
Why are cultural heritage services important?
Cultural heritage services help design areas where the past, present, and future form a coherent and sustainable whole. They support smooth planning processes and ensure that solutions are both high-quality and long-lasting.
Cultural heritage services make it possible to:
- Support sustainable and widely accepted planning solutions
- Avoid delays in planning and construction
- Safeguard the preservation of cultural heritage
- Strengthen the identity, attractiveness, and livability of an area
If you are planning a project where it is important to identify, assess, and integrate cultural heritage values into a functional whole, our experts are happy to assist. Sweco’s multidisciplinary team provides support at all stages of a project, from preliminary studies through to implementation.
What Is a cultural environment?
A cultural environment refers to a human-shaped environment in which different phases of culture, as well as the interaction between people and nature, are visible. It includes archaeological remains, cultural landscapes and traditional biotopes, as well as the built cultural environment.
Taking cultural environment values into account in project planning and construction is based on up-to-date data produced by authorities. This knowledge base consists of various inventories and studies that support planning and decision-making.
Key data sources include, for example:
- Inventories of archaeologically significant sites of national importance
- Nationally and regionally valuable landscape areas (e.g. VAMA – Valuable Landscape Areas)
These data enable the identification and consideration of cultural environment values as part of land use planning and construction, while taking into account the specific context and objectives of each project.
If you are planning a project where it is important to identify, assess, and integrate cultural heritage values into a coherent and functional whole, Sweco’s experts are here to support you. Our multidisciplinary team assists projects at every stage, from preliminary studies to planning, permitting processes, and implementation.
Get in touch with our experts to discuss how we can support your project with expertise and efficiency.
Heini Ynnilä
ArchaeologistLaura Ohenoja
ArchaeologistHanna Ojutkangas
ArchitectIda Tammi
Landscape architect