"MULTIFACETED CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN WESTERN HERITAGE CONSERVATION IDEOLOGIES AND THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RESIDENTIAL HERITAGE IN THE EAST: A CASE STUDY OF "TULOU" IN SOUTHEASTERN CHINA"

Ang Li

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Paper Title

"MULTIFACETED CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN WESTERN HERITAGE CONSERVATION IDEOLOGIES AND THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RESIDENTIAL HERITAGE IN THE EAST: A CASE STUDY OF "TULOU" IN SOUTHEASTERN CHINA"

Authors

Ang Li

Modality

Abstract

Subject area

4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse - A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.

Publishing Date

11/04/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

Inglês

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/847392-multifaceted-contradictions-between-western-heritage-conservation-ideologies-and-the-cultural-significance-of-re

ISBN

978-65-272-1284-3

Keywords

local preservation,resource re-allocation, culturally adaptive, economically effective

Summary

This paper examines conservation challenges of "Tulou," distinctive rammed earth and wood high-rise residential dwellings in southeastern China. "Tulou" complexes, numbering over forty thousand, are prevalent in southern Fujian Province, with a history dating back to around the 1600s and continuing to the present. In the late 20th century, influenced by Western conservation ideologies such as the Venice Charter, "Tulou" buildings were designated as key heritages. Currently, ten "Tulou" complexes are World Cultural Heritage sites, with significant government investment in their protection, restoration, and commercial development. However, the introduction of modern materials, preservation technologies, and tourism accelerates the loss of local constructional techniques and traditional lifestyles, human habitats, and social structures. Sever funding imbalances have led many unlisted "Tulou" to be abandoned. By comparing protected, pending, and abandoned “Tulou”, this paper highlights issues in Western-centric heritage conservation discourse on traditional Chinese rammed earth-timber residential architecture. It argues that this discourse inadequately preserves local construction techniques or sustains local settlement cultures, resulting in uneven resource allocation and depriving a broader range of preservation opportunities. Western often view cultural heritage as static relics of a specific historical period, overlooking the dynamic usage and periodic reconstruction processes of these heritage sites in global south due to cultural and historical disparities. This hampers the perspectives and adaptability of heritage conservation efforts. Finally, this paper proposes a new perspective advocating for a culturally adaptive approach to preserving residential heritage like “Tulou”. This involves restoring heritages, judiciously integrating modern foreign technologies and materials, and preserving local construction patterns. Efforts should also focus on maintaining historical cultural values while promoting localized usage. Additionally, the paper calls for reassessing existing conservation standards and exploring economically effective preservation methods that are adaptable and resilient across different cultural contexts, thus achieving a rational allocation of resources and sustainable heritage preservation.

Title of the Event: ICOMOS SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2024
City of the Event: Ouro Preto
Title of the Proceedings of the event: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

LI, Ang. "MULTIFACETED CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN WESTERN HERITAGE CONSERVATION IDEOLOGIES AND THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RESIDENTIAL HERITAGE IN THE EAST: A CASE STUDY OF "TULOU" IN SOUTHEASTERN CHINA".. In: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Anais...Ouro Preto(MG) Convention Center / UFOP/ UFMG Campus, 2024. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/847392-MULTIFACETED-CONTRADICTIONS-BETWEEN-WESTERN-HERITAGE-CONSERVATION-IDEOLOGIES-AND-THE-CULTURAL-SIGNIFICANCE-OF-RE. Access in: 03/06/2025