History and Design explores the many ways in which cultural heritage can be incorporated into plans and designs for the future. Not everything necessarily needs to be preserved, inventoried or listed. In some cases, demolition can actually be a liberation. To embed a conscientious approach to heritage in spatial planning, first of all, an accessible knowledge infrastructure is essential. In addition, a practical 'toolbox' is needed for dealing with heritage in planning, spatial design and heritage policy. Such a foundation - supported in this handbook by the reflections of 25 expert authors from various universities - offers insight into the possibilities of stretching threads between past and future, between history and design in transformation projects. This is an adventure in which science, heritage and spatial planning cannot do without one another.