B a c k g r o u n d

About International Field School on Asian Heritage (IFSAH): 

With diverse and unique characteristics of the Asian heritage, philosophies and perception, several contention were made as regards to the suitability of applying international standards on restoration and the management of cultural resources in Asia and especially ASEAN countries. In most circumstances the concept formulated with western ideals cannot be easily adhered to by the countries in this regions because aforementioned diversity in characteristics and political / administrative systems.  There is a need among Asian societies to share their own experiences and to act in complementary to each other in establishing the appropriate “Asian Chapter” for cultural resource conservation and management.

With the growing popularity of “cultural tourism”, many Asian countries are taking advantage of this prospect by realising their own uniqueness and exploiting these cultural identities for the sake of economic returns.  What was once rather “common” entities, which commanded no particular interests among the local residents can suddenly turned out into an over aspiring sensation for the tourists’ attractions.  Traditional trading activities, old town centres / streets, quaysides, and not to mention monuments of past civilisation that were generally neglected and unprotected became valuable entities for most of these countries.

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The overzealous efforts to promote all these fixtures as tourists’ attraction have some major drawbacks. As places became more exposed to tourists constrains are inevitable and certain standards of maintenance are often expected. Unfortunately the case of Asian countries, this aspiration cannot be put in the right perspective, as there are other immediate priorities to handle. Largely being poor, economic priorities take a centre stage and heritage conservation is generally seen as a privilege rather than a necessity. In most cases as heritage conservation is outwardly interpreted from the “western” models that it became a huge task for any authorities to adhere to completely.

Urban Design and Conservation

Research Unit (UDCRU)

Faculty of Built Environment

UNIVERSITY TEKNOLOGI

MALAYSIA

81310 UTM Skudai

Malaysia

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