December 16, 2015
The City of Toronto’s Heritage Preservation Services team, along with its archeological and cultural heritage consultant, have been selected by the Archaeological Institute of America as recipients of the institute's Conservation and Heritage Management Award for 2016. The prestigious citation is one of a number of awards the institute presents each year to archeologists, educators, museums and other individuals and organizations whose work has had a positive impact on the field of archeology and heritage management.
The award that the City received recognizes the excellence and best practices of Toronto's plan for archeological management, which was created to establish planning procedures, policies and protocols for conserving the city's archeological record. The City of Toronto shares the award with consulting firm ASI.
"The City is honoured to receive the Conservation and Heritage Management Award," said Councillor David Shiner (Ward 24 Willowdale), Chair of the Planning and Growth Management Committee. "Toronto is proud to be a leader in conserving and managing archeologically significant sites and this plan will establish a model to help other municipalities preserve their history."
Toronto is experiencing a high degree of land-use development pressure. The City's pioneering plan will help ensure that planning decisions take into consideration the archaeological record of an area that has been inhabited for almost 12,000 years. The archeological sites that are the physical remains of this lengthy settlement history represent a fragile cultural legacy.
Included in the plan are detailed, geo-coded maps that identify known archeological sites, a thematic overview of the city's settlement history, and identified areas of archeological potential. These tools are supplemented with implementation recommendations and guidelines prepared by City staff and ASI's professional archeologists in collaboration with representatives of relevant indigenous communities.
The plan also includes provisions for interpretation and commemoration. The City requires developers to fund and maintain permanent commemorative and interpretive displays related to heritage and archeology on their properties.
The City of Toronto and ASI are in good company as recipients of the AIA’s Conservation and Heritage Management Award. Past winners have included the Archaeological Conservancy in the United States, the Museum of London in the U.K., acclaimed Southwest archeologist Hester Davis, conservationist Henry Cleere, Pointe-à-Callière Musée d'Archéologie et d'Histoire de Montréal, and Parks Canada.
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http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Randall Meier, Strategic Communications, 416-392-3496, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
