Dawson City Heritage Management Plan
In 2024, Giaimo, M.R. Letourneau, and Narratives were engaged as the consultant team by the City of Dawson to develop a new Heritage Management Plan (HMP), Design Guidelines, and updated Heritage Bylaw. The project included collaboration with a Working Group made up of representatives from the City of Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Government of Yukon, and Parks Canada, as well as inputs from a volunteer Advisory Committee to leverage local knowledge and community insights. The goal of the project was to provide practical, forward-thinking strategies that respect Dawson’s unique character and cultural heritage values, while adapting to modern realities. Rather than replacing past work, this plan builds on decades of knowledge to ensure heritage conservation remains a cornerstone of Dawson’s future.
Client
City of Dawson
Location
Dawson City, Yukon
Start Date
July 2024
Completion Date
Summer 2025
Area
Dawson City Historic Townsite
Status
Final Report Under Development
Type
Heritage Conservation
Design Guidelines
Municipal
Team
Giaimo – Prime, Lead Heritage, Architect, and Public Engagement
M.R. Letourneau – Heritage Planner
Narratives – Land Relations Lead
Image Credits
Giaimo
Draft Report
Heritage
Dawson City is on the traditional territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Dënezhu, the people of the river. For countless generations, Dënezhu have maintained an enduring relationship with the land, with heritage deeply intertwined with its landscapes. Dënezhu stories are written on the land, and Tr’ëhudè embodies a reciprocal relationship with all living things, upholding the integrity of land as an interconnected entity. The Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century brought profound changes to this region, leading to the displacement of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in from their ancestral lands, such as Tr’ochëk, to Moosehide Village. Despite these upheavals, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have continually adapted, preserving their cultural identity and fostering resilience.
Process
Dawson City’s heritage is more than its buildings — it’s a living landscape shaped by the people, culture, and history that continue to evolve. With its designation as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, along with shifts in heritage conservation best practice nationally and internationally, Dawson’s approach to heritage management must reflect both conservation and continuity, acknowledging the deep relationship with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the vibrant community that calls this historic place home.
The project included various forms of public engagement to gather community inputs. The communities’ vision emphasizes a heritage management approach that supports a living community and addresses how conservation intersects with housing, livability, tourism, sustainability, accessibility, economics, risk management, and climate change.
This updated plan aims to align with this vision, amplifying the stories of the entire history of the Klondike Valley, with particular emphasis on the Gold Rush era of 1896-1910, while also
highlighting the deep-rooted heritage of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the diverse cultural layers that have shaped the region.
Plan & Design Guidelines
Prepared with a focus on usability, and in alignment with current policy frameworks, the HMP includes:
- Policy & Framework – Outlines the conservation policy landscape, including jurisdictional mapping and key regulatory considerations.
- Areas of Action – Highlights how heritage conservation can contribute to Dawson City’s growth, with a focus on stewardship, quality of life, climate resilience, and accessibility.
- Heritage Management Areas – Defines Dawson’s two Heritage Management Areas (Downtown & Residential) and provides policies and guidelines, including for Cultural Landscapes.
- Implementation Toolkit – Introduces key tools to assist residents and community members with implementing development projects, including the Heritage Bylaw, Design Guidelines, and Research Guide.
Design guidelines ensure new development is well integrated with the historic context by focusing on key architectural elements like form, scale, and proportion, while allowing for modern construction. They simplify the approval process and provide clarity for applicants, staff, council and Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC). By emphasizing straightforward and historically appropriate design elements, related to the zoning that they would be building in, the requirements provide clarity for builders and property owners, ensuring that new developments integrate well with Dawson’s heritage streetscapes. Rather than imposing restrictive or complex design mandates, the guidelines serve as a practical framework, making it easier for applicants to contribute to the town’s historic fabric.
