HDC projects in 2017

HDC Americas Projects 2017

Below is a small selection of international heritage interpretation and tourism planning and development projects we carried out in 2017.

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ProjectCountryCompletion DateDetails
EU LOT 9 Framework Contract, EU Government, BrusselsWORLDWIDEOngoingIn 2014 HDC, in conjunction with GFA Consulting in Hamburg, Germany was awarded the 4-year Lot 9 Framework contract. HDC is a recognised as a tourism, heritage and culture expert advisors to the EU. The Lot 9 program provides rapid-response, short-term technical assistance to European Union delegations in developing countries around the world. Our consortium has delivered projects in- Bonaire, Aruba, Barbados, Madagascar, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Liberia, Nepal, Paraguay, Turkey and Pakistan
SERNATUR, Aurauco Region, ChileCHILENov 2017Commissioned to develop a destination development plan for the Arauco region in Chile's Northern Patagonia. The region has two cultural themes: the white Spanish settlers have a rich coal mining, shipping and industrial heritage, the other theme is the indigenous Mapuche Indian culture.
Udagari Caves, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, IndiaINDIAJun 2017Commissioned by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to develop an interpretive master plan, and then plan, write, design and fabricate a series of interpretive panels for whole site. The Udayagiri Caves are twenty rock-cut caves near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh dating from the early years of the 5th century CE. They contain some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in India. This is the only site that can be verifiably associated with a Gupta period monarch from its inscriptions. One of India's most important archaeological sites, the Udayagiri hills and its caves are protected monuments managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. Udayagiri caves contain iconography of Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaktism (Durga and Matrikas) and Shaivism (Shiva). They are notable for the ancient monumental relief sculpture of Vishnu in his incarnation as the man-boar Varaha, rescuing the earth symbolically represented by Bhudevi clinging to the boar's tusk as described in Hindu mythology. The site has important inscriptions of the Gupta dynasty belonging to the reigns of Chandragupta II (c. 375-415) and Kumaragupta I (c. 415-55).[8] In addition to these, Udayagiri has a series of rock-shelters and petroglyphs, ruined buildings, inscriptions, water systems, fortifications and habitation mounds, all of which remain a subject of continuing archaeological studies. The Udayagiri Caves complex consists of twenty caves, of which one is dedicated to Jainism and all others to Hinduism. The Jain cave is notable for one of the oldest known Jaina inscriptions from 425 CE, while the Hindu Caves feature inscriptions from 401 CE.
Great Stupa at Sanchi UNESCO WHS, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, IndiaINDIAApr 2017Commissioned by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to develop an interpretive master plan, and then plan, write, design and build a tour guiding mobile phone app for the UNESCO WHS. Sanchi is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument of Indian Architecture. It was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. The original construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant of nearby Vidisha. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added. The Sanchi Stupa built during Mauryan period was made of bricks. Sanchi is the center of a region with a number of stupas, including the 40 stupas at Satdhara, Bhojpur (also called Morel Khurd, a fortified hilltop with 60 stupas), Andher, Sonari and Saru Maru.
Denbighshire County Council, Dee Valley, Wales, UKUKMar 2017Commissioned by the Dee Valley Landscape Partnership to develop an interpretive master plan for the Dee Valley including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal consists of a continuous group of civil-engineering features built between 1795 and 1808. It is a masterpiece of historic transport development and the greatest work of two outstanding figures in the history of civil engineering: Thomas Telford and William Jessop. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct crosses the Dee Valley at a height of 126ft/38.4m and is 1007ft 307m long. Its 18 tapering piers built from Sandstone quarried from the nearby Cefn ridge. The 19 cast iron arches each span 45ft (13.7m) carry a narrow cast iron trough is only 1 inch 25mm thick. The project also encompassed the historic towns of Llangollen and Corwen, Castell Dinas Brân, the River Dee and the Llangollen Canal, Valle Crucis Abbey, Ty Mawr Country Park, Llangollen Motor Museum, Chirk Castle, Llangollen Museum, Coed Llandegla Forest, the Chain Bridge, Llangollen Steam Railway and the geology and palaeontology of the valley.
St Matthew's Cathedral, Osorno, ChileCHILEMar 2017Commissioned by the Bishop of the Cathedral to research, plan, write, illustrate, design, build information and interpretation for the whole cathedral complex. St. Matthew's Cathedral, is a is a modern Catholic cathedral located in the city of Osorno and is considered an architectural jewel of Gothic style, and a major tourist site in the city of Osorno. Its designer is the Chilean architect León Prieto Casanova. It noted for its imposing tower 45 meters high and its large and colorful mosaics and stained-glass windows with representations of biblical figures. The original cathedral was built in 1577. After the 1960 earthquake, which caused serious structural damage to the cathedral, there was total demolition. The first stone of the new cathedral was blessed and laid on May 1, 1962, and 15 years later, on November 24, 1977, the new building was consecrated.
Magpie Mine, Derbyshire, UKUKFeb 2017Commissioned to design and build information and interpretation for the mine complex. The atmospheric remains of Magpie Mine are one of the best places to visit in the Peak District and one of the top industrial heritage sites in Derbyshire. It was the last working lead mine in the Derbyshire ore field and is probably the best surviving example anywhere in the UK of a 19th century lead mine. The mine has a fascinating history spanning more than 200 years of bonanzas and failures, of bitter disputes and fights resulting in the “murder” of three miners, and a Widows’ Curse that is said to remain to this day.