Conserving Architectural Heritage

Challenges & Repercussions

Click to edit Master subtitle style

3/20/12

Defining Heritage

Why Do We Hold on to the Past?

Conservation Challenges

Present & Future Repercussions

3/20/12

Defining Heritage
Something from the past that has made a mark on our lives, and tells us something about ourselves. Once these are gone, they can never be replaced.

3/20/12

Tangible cultural heritage: movable cultural heritage (paintings, sculptures, coins, manuscripts, etc.) immovable cultural heritage (monuments, archaeological sites, and so on) underwater cultural heritage (shipwrecks, underwater ruins and cities and so on)

3/20/12

Intangible cultural heritage: oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, practices, food and so on

3/20/12

Architectural heritage is the custodian of our past. As architecture is the art of living, all elements of life are linked to architecture. This includes our cultures, practices and behaviour. Architecture acts as time capsule and illustrates our living and historical heritage.

3/20/12

Architectural heritage also constitutes construction and building elements Heritage is also the knowledge, expertise and craftsmanship in building and construction.

3/20/12

Why do we hold on to the Past?

The Need of Conservation taking old buildings through stages of upgrading for better value to protect the heritage. Heritage conservation involves the retention of authenticity, integrity and continuity.

3/20/12

Conservation is not only about structures but also about society. Urban conservation is not only a process of building the image and identity for heritage cities but it also provides the missing link between the rich traditions of the pasts and the present-day living.

3/20/12

Historical where the objectives are to preserve a part of history, to remind of time past, of as slower and less complex lifestyle. Architectural the architecture of old buildings represents the development of a particular periods of the past. Social where location is concerned, the area or district of the city is inherited from different ethnic backgrounds and roots.

3/20/12

Conserving Urban Heritage Effective conservation of heritage resources not only help in revitalizing the local economy of cities, but also brings about a sense of city identity and belonging to its residents.

3/20/12

Tourism Industry A viable source of income for most countries. In Malaysia, the tourism industry directly contributes 7.2% to the GDP and 15.8% indirectly.

3/20/12

Nostalgia for history Humans are generally sentimental of their past, often wishing for a simpler less complicated time. This is often rooted in our fear of change.

3/20/12

Identity and Pride These are important for any community and nation. They look upon their heritage, architectural and all as a reflection of their individual and collective identity; and fear losing it if the architecture too is lost.

3/20/12

Conservation Challenges
Examining the obstacles to successful conservation of architectural and urban heritage

3/20/12

Building conservation:
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii)

Preservation Reproduction Restoration Maintenance Redevelopment Rehabilitation Consolidation

3/20/12

The loss of knowledge, expertise and materials. The builders and artisans (and their knowledge) responsible for the design and construction of the buildings are no longer accessible thereby disabling the ability to successfully and authentically conserving the buildings.

3/20/12

The pressure for urban development and economic growth. Urban areas need infrastructure development to sustain the growing population and the need for job opportunities. Other social issues such as poverty are also inextricably linked to the economy.

3/20/12

Adaptive Re-use Is a form of conservation whereby the form of the building remains but the function is changed for contemporary needs. However, cases such as this do not adhere to the policy of successful conservation whereby authenticity and value are compromised.

3/20/12

Lack of education and awareness. There is inadequate information on heritage conservation strategies and techniques, as well as the accessibility of this knowledge. The under-exposure of issues relevant issues makes it hard to publicly debate and understand the underpinning problems of the matter.

3/20/12

Important lessons learnt for cultural heritage conservation and the role of city governments:The need for deeper and broader participation and awareness building among the citizens and civil society at large;

The need for proper documentation and preservation programmes to be put in place;

The need for a strong institutional and policy environment.

3/20/12

Present & Future

Repercussi ons

3/20/12

Are our past architectural vestiges still relevant? The roles of past architecture is very much diminished. They hardly reflect the communities they house or serve.

3/20/12

Historical Kitsch of vulgar sentimentality Attempts to revive these architectural heritages end up being tacky and often out of context. This further reduces them to vulgar acts of sentimentality and spreads misunderstanding.

3/20/12

Are Heritage Buildings Sustainable? In this age of environmentally conscious architecture, is there a place for buildings that were built from and for a different time?

3/20/12

Evolution of local architectural identity Nostalgia and sentimentality often affects objectivity. If people are not ready to relinquish the binds of historicism, they then have a hard time evolving or moving forward. This affects how a country views itself instead of how it should shape itself.

3/20/12

end

3/20/12