There has not been much research emphasis on the role and strategies public institutions should adopt in conserving the built heritage environment in a South African context of transformation. This article will illustrate by means of examples from an international perspective numerous strategies and policies that could be put in place by public institutions to assist in the current execution of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (25 of 1999). The Act will be explained briefly, followed by a discussion of a number of dilemmas faced by public institutions in implementing heritage conservation practices in the built environment.