Preserving heritage from the foundation of community life

The project proposes the principle of preserving authenticity, closely linking inheritance and development with the motto "preservation for development" and "development for preservation".

In reality, the ancient urban heritage of Hoi An always faces many challenges, such as: profound changes in population structure, occupation, living environment and social psychology. These factors directly affect the vibrant nature of the heritage. From a community living space associated with the traditional lifestyle of the past, Hoi An ancient town gradually transformed into a service-commercial space.

Tourism brings economic resources but also leads to a wave of local people selling their houses and renting out their premises. In their place are people from other places who come to stay temporarily and do short-term business. The change in the subject of residence breaks down community relationships, living habits and traditional cultural norms. Local languages, festivals, folk beliefs and other intangible values gradually fade away, and the identity of the ancient city also gradually declines.

About a decade ago, the ancient village of Duong Lam ( Hanoi ) faced a similar situation. The village is famous for its laterite architecture, communal houses, pagodas and traditional lifestyle typical of the North, where many unique cultural values are preserved. However, many houses are degraded but lack of funds for renovation, directly affecting living conditions, forcing many households to leave. The change in the community has caused traditional activities from village festivals to clan activities, guilds to fade away...

The above evidence shows that urban heritage conservation does not stop at preserving architecture or physical landscape. The core of heritage is people, the community of residents who have created, lived, preserved and promoted the values of that place. When the original community is no longer present or no longer plays the role of the subject, heritage is easily commercialized and loses its inherent authenticity.

The 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage clearly identifies that indigenous communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals play an important role in creating, protecting, maintaining and regenerating intangible cultural heritage, thereby enriching cultural diversity and human creativity.

This perspective shows that heritage itself is not only material structures but also customs, lifestyles, cultural memories, languages, and the spirit of attachment between people and their living space. If the community element is weakened, heritage will lose its socio-historical context, which is the foundation for its formation and existence.

The project of Quang Nam province will lay the foundation for specific solutions to protect and sustainably promote the heritage value of Hoi An ancient town in the coming time. This could be a suggestive solution for other heritage cities in reshaping the mindset of conservation and development associated with the community.

NGOC LIEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/bao-ton-di-san-tu-nen-tang-doi-song-cong-dong-post888508.html