The heritage-making conundrum in Asian cities: Real, transformed and imagined legacies

• Main Author: OCON, David
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2018
• Subjects: Asian Cities; Urban Heritage Preservation; Singapore Heritage; Hong Kong Heritage; Manila Heritage; Asian History; Asian Studies; Urban Studies and Planning
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2763; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/4020/viewcontent/Ocon_2018_Heritage_Marking_Conundrum_in_Asia_Cities.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The process of heritage-making is farfrom straightforward. Defining the meaning of heritage in young nations and citieswhere land availability is limited is a challenging exercise. It often crossesthe paths of history, religion, memory-shaping, development, andidentity-building. It requires fluent communication channels between civilsociety, local organisations and governments. Willingness to cooperate from allthe parties involved is essential; dialogue a must.In land-scarce or densely populated Asiancities, expansion and growth is colliding with the preservation of legacies, thepast and memory. This paper examines regional case studies from Hong Kong,Manila and Singapore, where preservation of cultural patrimony, development anddaily life follow conflicting paths. It sheds light on the policies behindheritage-making, where the interaction with concepts such as memory, identity, urbanplanning, progress, and nature, creates complex situations and requiresimaginative resolutions.