BPE 23202
Advanced Urban Planning
Lecture 12
Urban Conservation
Dr. Indera Syahrul Bin Mat Radzuan
syahrul@uthm.edu.my
ext. 3990
Outline
What is Conservation?
Conservation Philosophy
Definitions of Conservation
Urban Conservation
Conservation Principles
Heritage Building Materials
Valuing Historic Places
Cultural Heritage Preservation
Istana Raja Melaka
What is Conservation?
The term ‘conservation’ has its root
from the term ‘preservation’.
However, each differs on its mode of
action and where conservation implies
dynamism, preservation denotes a state
of being static.
To conserve simply means to improve
upon a structure or element but
retaining its original shape and
character.
What is Conservation?
Thus to conserve a historical ruin could
involve rebuilding it to its original design
and using the same material it was once
built of.
The building could then be turned into a
museum or for any other purposeful usage.
What is Conservation?
Preservation on the other
hand means the
safeguarding and
preserving of its original
shape without any
improvements works.
Conservation Philosophy
Two of the great documents that well illustrate the foundation for an
internationally accepted conservation philosophy are:
i. Athens Charter (1931)
ii. Venice Charter (1964)
They have helped to develop concepts and influenced thinking of
conservation in many different countries.
Other charters and recommendations such as:
i. ICOMOS Australia’s Burra Charter
ii. ICOMOS Japan’s Nara Document
iii. ICOMOS New Zealand’s Charter
Conservation Philosophy
According to Pickard (2001), these documents have undoubtedly
influenced the formulation of laws and, perhaps more appropriately,
policies and attitudes.
However, there remains considerable differences in terms of approach
and also in the interpretation of terms such as ‘conservation’,
‘preservation’, ‘restoration’, ‘protection’, ‘repair’, ‘prevention’, ‘safeguard’
etc.
In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of literature
generated with regards to conservation.
In Europe, the first awareness of conservation began in the 19th century
and the first international statement of preservation was dated back to
1964 with the Charter of Venice, a policy statement of the UNESCO
(Repellin, 1990).
Conservation Philosophy
Larkham (1996) has written the most complete synthesis of the
conservation debates to date.
In his synthesis, he has pointed out views by Clark (1969) on human
civilisation by which a civilised man ‘must feel that he belongs
somewhere in space and time, that he consciously looks forward and
looks back’.
The term ‘conservation’ used by the World Heritage Convention does not
specifically define conservation.
Throughout the Convention, reference was made to the "identification,
protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future
generations of the cultural and natural heritage" (p. 12).
Conservation Philosophy
Article 5 of the Convention makes reference to a number of "effective
and active measures" that can be implemented by States Parties in
ensuring that this "identification, protection, conservation, presentation
and transmission" one present in their national agenda (UNESCO, 1972,
p. 3).
Australia’s Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance
(The Burra Charter) defines ‘conservation’ as “all the processes of
looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance” (ICOMOS,
1976, p. 1).
It includes maintenance and may according to circumstances; include
preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adaptation and will be
commonly a combination of more than one of these.
Conservation Philosophy
In 1992, New Zealand’s Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural
Heritage Value defines ‘conservation’ as “the processes of caring for a
place so as to safeguard its cultural heritage values” (ICOMOS, 1992, p.
1).
The purpose of conservation is to take care of places of cultural heritage
values, their structures, materials and cultural meaning.
A broader perspective has been adopted by joint Japan and UNESCO
Nara Document on Authenticity (1994) which defines conservation,
specifically with reference to the cultural heritage as “All efforts
designed to understand cultural heritage, know its history and meaning,
ensure its material safeguard and, as required, its presentation,
restoration and enhancement” (p. 48).
Conservation Philosophy
As rightly noted by Rodwell (2007), the
Nara Documents was regarded essentially
as a route to embracing non-European
cultural traditions into the World Heritage
fold.
The Government of Japan were to
legitimize their practice of periodic
dismantle, rebuilding, repair and re-
assemble of wooden heritage structures.
In the end, it had not only produced a
broader technical framework for
authenticity analysis; but also clarified a
number of long-standing delusions that
had limited the scope of the application of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan
"authenticity" to assist practical decision-
making in heritage conservation field.
Definitions of Conservation
English A process of managing change to a significant place in its setting
Heritage in ways that will best sustain its heritage values, while recognising
(2008) opportunities to reveal or reinforce those values for present and
future generations.
Nahoum The aim of conservation to promote life is characterized by the
Cohen strong sense of continuity but the aesthetic qualities are not
(2001) sufficient to achieve this aim. The focus should not be only on the
monuments; everyday urban activities should also be rediscovered
Definitions of Conservation
Rappoport Conservation is based on a respect for the existing fabric and
(2012) should involve the least possible physical intervention. The
conservation policy that is appropriate to a place must first be
determined by an understanding of its cultural significance and
its physical condition.
Berducou Conservation as “the ensemble of means that, in carrying out
(1996) and intervention on an object or its environment, seek to
prolong its existence as long as possible” (p. 250).
Urban Conservation
Figure 1: The evolving agenda of urban planning
Urban Conservation
Urban conservation can be classified worldwide into three general
categories which are building, area, and cultural conservation.
i. Building Conservation
Refers to the practice of keeping intact all buildings bearing
significant historical and architectural values.
Building conservation is usually implemented through
various stages including the listing and grading of historic
building; evaluating building to be gazetted under the laws,
preparing proposals for building conservation; and
implementing conservation projects under expert
supervision.
However, Shinbira (2012) defines it as “is generally involves
the renovation of old structures, which could bring them
back to fulfilling their original function by contemporary
standard or adapt them to new uses” (p. 256).
Building Conservation
Urban Conservation
Urban conservation can be classified worldwide into three general
categories which are building, area, and cultural conservation.
i. Building Conservation
Refers to the practice of keeping intact all buildings bearing
significant historical and architectural values.
Building conservation is usually implemented through
various stages including the listing and grading of historic
building; evaluating building to be gazetted under the laws,
preparing proposals for building conservation; and
implementing conservation projects under expert
supervision.
However, Shinbira (2012) defines it as “is generally involves
the renovation of old structures, which could bring them
back to fulfilling their original function by contemporary
standard or adapt them to new uses” (p. 256).
Urban Conservation
ii. Area Conservation
Refers to the preservation of specific sites having elements,
buildings, and monuments of significant historical and
architectural values.
It includes the preservation of landscape elements and street
furniture such as trees, water fountains, lampposts, arches
and gateways, benches, and signages (Ahmad Sanusi Hasan,
2009).
Area conservation can also include the adoption of building
control measures, façade treatments, building height, design
control, and landscaping.
According to Lih (2005) area conservation is designated
according to their architectural and townscape qualities.
Urban Conservation
iii. Cultural Conservation
Nolan (2005) has draw on an extensive meaning of ‘cultural
conservation’.
He has referred it as “systematic efforts to safeguard
knowledge, customs and materials and the nature resources
on which they are based” (p. 51).
He added that the primary goals of cultural conservation
projects are “to promote the active engagement of
community members in local resource management and to
mobilise government support for the preservation of the
regional heritage” (ibid).
Urban Conservation
Orbasli (2000) has stressed that urban heritage is an
interpretation of history by a wide range of users; its value,
though, is not simply in the historic attributes of the built
fabric and spatial aspect of the townscape, but also in the life
of its contemporary resident community, differentiating it
from other forms of heritage.
Cultural Conservation
Masjid Kg Hulu, Melaka
Masjid Kg Kling, Melaka
Cultural Conservation
Cultural Conservation
Masjid Kg Kling, Melaka
Conservation Principles
English Heritage (2008) has promoted a comprehensive framework for
the sustainable management of the historic environment based on six
key principles:
i. The historic environment is a shared resource
ii. Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic
environment
iii. Understanding the significance of places is vital
iv. Significant places should be managed to sustain their values
v. Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent
vi. Documenting and learning from decisions are essential.
Conservation Principles
Figure 2: The significance of a place is the sum of its heritage value
Source: English Heritage (2008)
Heritage Building Materials
There are four main
traditional materials used to
build a heritage building in
Malaysia.
i. Timber
ii. Stone
iii. Clay
iv. Lime
Heritage Building Materials
Valuing Historic Places
Social, Economic and Environmental Value
i. Regeneration
ii. Enterprise, innovation and creative industries
iii. Economic development and competitiveness
iv. Tourism
v. Leisure
vi. Rural renaissance
vii. Enhanced values
viii. Supporting local communities
ix. Social inclusion
x. Area of deprivation
Valuing Historic Places
Social, Economic and Environmental Value
xi. Sustainable use of resources
xii. Sustainable patterns of development
xiii. Mixed use
xiv. Human resource
Public Value
i. Intrinsic value
ii. Public support
iii. Legacy for future generations
iv. Local distinctiveness and pride
v. Local empowerment
vi. Urban design quality and variety
Valuing Historic Places
Cultural, Learning and Skills Value
i. Education
ii. Sustainable communities
iii. Culture
iv. Skills
v. Creative new design
Cultural Heritage Preservation
The concept of cultural heritage invariably differs from one nation or
region to another.
In a broad sense, it is perceived as movable and immovable assets of
artistic, literary, architectural, historical, archaeological, ethnological,
scientific or technological values that embody the essence of a nation.
As cultures and heritage are irreplaceable, their particular forms and
means of tangible and intangible expressions that constitute the
community heritage values should be promoted as an essential aspect of
human development.
Culture is defined as the whole complex of distinct spiritual,
intellectual, emotional and material features that characterize a
particular society or social group and its way of life.
Cultural Heritage Preservation
Culture includes the arts and literatures as well as lifestyles, value
systems, creativity, knowledge systems, traditions and beliefs.
Cultural properties are often shared, learned, symbolic, transmitted
across generations, adaptive, and integrated.
On the other hand, heritage refers to “an inheritance or a legacy; things
of value which have been passed from one generation to the next”.
A wider definition of heritage encompasses the traditional notions of
heritage as cultures, places and buildings as well as archives and
records, and the impact of technology.
Heritage, which relates to the remains of the past should be well
preserved as national treasures and be cherished to posterity.
Cultural Heritage Preservation
Tangible Heritage
Cultural Heritage
Heritage Intangible Heritage
Natural Heritage
Cultural Heritage Preservation
Natural Heritage Cultural Heritage
• Natural Heritage refers to the • Cultural Heritage refers to the
natural aspects like the fauna and cultural aspects like heritage
flora, landscapes, beaches, coral sites, monuments, folklore,
gardens etc that are considered traditional activities and
important enough to be practices, language etc that are
preserved for the future considered vital to be preserved
generations. for the future generations
Cultural Heritage Preservation
Tangible Heritage Intangible Heritage
• Tangible Heritage refers to those • Intangible Heritage refers to those
significant places that advocate the aspects of a country that cannot be
country’s history and culture. touched or seen.
• For example monuments, mosques, • For example traditional music,
shrines, monasteries etc. folklore, language etc.
Cultural Heritage Significance
Historical Significance
The age or relationship to historical era, person or event. Historical significance is a relatively easy and
over bearing trait in heritage management.
Social Significance
Social Significance is hard to ascertain. It refers to the social, spiritual and other community
oriented values attributed to a place. This maybe because the place has existed to serve a certain
important role in the society for a period of time.
Aesthetic Significance
Refers to this special sense of Importance of a place. This could be in terms of architecture, scale or
even the designs seen on the place.
Scientific Significance
Refers to the scope or possibility of scientific findings from a site, monument or place. Here the
importance lies more in the information that may yield out of understanding and researching the place
or site. This can mostly be attributed to archaeological sites or ancient monuments.
Thank you
Terima kasih
syahrul@uthm.edu.my
