This video recording of our October 2023 “Demystifying Heritage” event explores the differences between the Inventory and designation.

The Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources is a list of sites that have been identified as possessing significant heritage value, and whose preservation is considered to be to the greater benefit of Calgarians.

Inclusion on the Inventory is a formal acknowledgement of heritage value, and in most cases does not extend legal protection to the property, nor does it regulate the property. It is, however, the first step toward obtaining legal designation if a property owner wishes to pursue that. 

Municipal legal designation falls under the purview of the City of Calgary and is managed through municipal bylaw. Legal designation includes the character defining elements of a particular site that are considered to be of heritage value. It prevents the demolition of a building and guides the property owner as to how to make sympathetic alteration. In exchange for agreeing to protect character defining elements, property owners may be eligible to receive incentives, and/or grant funding to assist in the restoration, rehabilitation, or preservation of the property.

Watch this video recording of our October 2023 “Demystifying Heritage” event to learn more about the differences between the Inventory and designation.