Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
2.9
2.0
Journals
Heritage
Special Issues
Managing Heritage in Asian Cities
share announcement

Managing Heritage in Asian Cities

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 22061

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kiran Shinde

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
Interests: religious tourism; cultural heritage; sacred landscape; destination planning and management; environmental management; urban planning and governance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rapid urbanisation in the Asian sub-continent has brought to the fore many challenges for its cities. These challenges are playing out on a palimpsest of rich histories, cultural vestiges, religious traditions, and colonial imprints that lie beneath the cities and settlements. All kinds of places—sacred landscapes, historic capitals, architectural marvels, temple towns, ancient archaeological sites, villages, towns, cities, metropolises, hyper cities, new capitals, etc.—have transformed in some way or another due to urbanising forces. On the one hand, the new wave of technology-driven urbanisation is leading to the emergence of new spaces of working and living, and of production and consumption. On the other, cities are witnessing a rapid decline in historic attributes, cultural richness of traditions, multiple and diverse identities—all of which contribute to living heritage. While cities struggle to balance the expectations of new developments and infrastructure, there are increasing calls for sensitisation towards the multi-layered histories and heritages that constitute the core of the cities and towns.

This Special Issue aims to highlight some of the complex and real issues around heritage management versus the development agenda in Asian cities. Cities accumulate heritage over centuries; while some of it can be preserved and conserved, a large part can be exposed to threats from the demands of new developments. These concerns become even more acute in special places including sacred landscapes, pilgrim towns, and designated holy-heritage cities that are repositories of exceptional natural, religious, and cultural heritage. Where heritage is valued, it becomes a good source for tourism, and there are several such successful examples of heritage tourism contributing positively to the economy and to the community. However, in some Asian cities, it might also be the case of too much heritage.

Scholars are invited to submit papers that highlight the rhetoric and discourses developed around the official and formal listing and status of heritage for management against the real conservation and preservation work on the ground in Asian cities. A special interest is in knowing how other kinds of heritage such as informal heritage, the folk heritage in the built and non-built environment, that is generally missing in the official discourses, is managed. A tentative list of topics includes (but is not limited to): 

  • Historic cities and heritage tourism;
  • Beyond listing: incorporating heritage in all-round socio-economic development;
  • Building and rebuilding heritage and the cultural identity of cities;
  • Heritage for reinforcing/retracing the cultural identity of place and people;
  • Institutional governance for heritage management;
  • The cultural and religious infrastructure necessary for growing populations and cities;
  • Forging heritage connections between culture and socio- spatial characteristics of the built environment;
  • Reinterpreting heritage for future growth.

Dr. Kiran Shinde
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 4584 KiB  
Article
Still on UNESCO’s “Tentative List of World Heritage”? Heritage, Tourism, and Stunted Growth in Sarnath (Varanasi), India
by Kiran Shinde and Rana P. B. Singh
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5051-5065; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070267 - 29 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4833
Abstract
It is not unusual for a place to wait for years before being inscribed on the World Heritage List, but Sarnath—the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon—has been on UNESCO’s “tentative list” for close to 25 years. As a sacred place [...] Read more.
It is not unusual for a place to wait for years before being inscribed on the World Heritage List, but Sarnath—the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon—has been on UNESCO’s “tentative list” for close to 25 years. As a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrimages, Sarnath continues to attract thousands of visitors annually and yet, remains under-developed, unlike other pilgrim towns or religious tourism destinations. This paper examines the reasons for the stunted growth of Sarnath. The findings are based on fieldwork conducted in Sarnath in 2019. The analysis of stakeholder interviews suggests several reasons for Sarnath not being able to capitalize on its religious and cultural heritage for tourism-led development. It was found that the protection of the site as an archaeological park by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been controlling development surrounding the park as well as prohibiting the performance of any rituals, have been the key endogenous factors that have contributed to the relative under-development of a Buddhist pilgrimage economy in the town. A handful of monasteries are where Buddhist followers stay and perform their pilgrimage rituals, rendering them as enclaves. Private-sector accommodation is also limited to around 15 hotels and guesthouses. Administratively, Sarnath does not have an independent governance structure. It is governed as just one ward (an electoral constituency) by the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi and is, thus, always under the shadow of Varanasi city. Varanasi is one of the most significant Hindu sacred cities and, hence, visitors stay there for much longer durations to soak in cultural offerings, including religious ceremonies around the Ganga River; a visit to Sarnath is secondary and often limited to a half-day tour. Moreover, the archaeological park at Sarnath serves a recreational purpose as a picnic site for domestic visitors. The exogenous factors mean that the interests of Sarnath (as a Buddhist site) are hardly acknowledged by the Hindu city of Varanasi. This paper argues that the multi-layered contestations that exist at the site level, the town–ward level, and between visitors and managers have further contributed to the poor state of heritage and tourism in Sarnath. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Heritage in Asian Cities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 752 KiB  
Article
Envisioning the Future of Heritage Tourism in the Creative Industries in Dubai: An Exploratory Study of Post COVID-19 Strategies for Sustainable Recovery
by Farooq Haq, Naveed Yasin and Gayatri Nair
Heritage 2023, 6(6), 4557-4572; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6060242 - 29 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3158
Abstract
This exploratory study investigates the challenges for the heritage tourism industries in the UAE by focusing on the strategies and policies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify the business strategies, analyze the contextual challenges for service providers, and explore [...] Read more.
This exploratory study investigates the challenges for the heritage tourism industries in the UAE by focusing on the strategies and policies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify the business strategies, analyze the contextual challenges for service providers, and explore how providers managed these challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multi-case study approach is adopted with 12 renowned and leading heritage tourism providers (CEOc, managers, and relationship managers) Additionally, four tourism academics interviewed through qualitative semi-structured interviews. The data were obtained during the post-COVID-19 economic recovery period from January 2022 to November 2022. The protocols of the Delphi technique and the Template Analysis (TA) approach were combined to develop richer insights. Initially, the challenges discovered were thematically categorized under two levels, which were (i) Inconsistencies for Heritage Tourism and (ii) Appreciation for Heritage Tourism. As a result, subsequently, four multi-tiered themes (macro, meso, and micro level) emerged as a response to the current challenges: (i) Repackaging heritage tourism, (ii) Long-term safety measures for tourists, (iii) Organizational adaptation and innovation, and (iv) Creative recommendations. The novelty of this study is inherent in its contextualization of an under-explored area, concurrent analysis of a dynamic and lucrative sector, and methodological advancement through the embellishment of techniques. Based on the findings of this research, a contextualized framework is proposed that complements tourism theory and delivers credible implications for researchers, government planners, and tourism providers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Heritage in Asian Cities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 25385 KiB  
Article
Saddar Bazar Quarter in Karachi: A Case of British-Era Protected Heritage Based on the Literature Review and Fieldwork
by Syed Hamid Akbar, Naveed Iqbal and Koenraad Van Cleempoel
Heritage 2023, 6(3), 3183-3210; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6030169 - 18 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 7922
Abstract
On the international level, heritage is considered an essential element for the sustainable development of a country. In South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, historic cities struggle to preserve their built heritage, due to rapid urbanisation and changing contemporary urban [...] Read more.
On the international level, heritage is considered an essential element for the sustainable development of a country. In South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, historic cities struggle to preserve their built heritage, due to rapid urbanisation and changing contemporary urban and architectural requirements. This contribution elaborates on the effects of urbanisation, and city development on the protected heritage of Karachi, Pakistan. The city developed in the 19th century from a mud-fortified small town along the Lyari river to become one of the busiest ports of the Indian subcontinent under British rule. Karachi has now become a metropolitan city with more than sixteen million inhabitants. Due to the accelerated rate of urbanisation and trade activities, Karachi has become Pakistan’s economic capital, resulting in the oblivion of its historical sites. Most of the city’s historic sites are in a state of dereliction, from over- or under-programming, or even under the threat of demolition. The paper focuses on the present condition of a British-era protected-heritage site through a literature review and fieldwork (mapping, drawing, archival research, interviews, photographic surveys, etc.), carried out during 2019 and 2020. The first author conducted site visits to photograph buildings and interview their users to gather feedback on how they perceive the current state of these buildings. The data were analysed to investigate how many buildings from Karachi’s British era with protected status have been demolished or are at risk of demolition. At the heart of the article is the Saddar Bazar Quarter in Karachi and its historical, social, cultural, and economic importance in the city from the British period until the present. The analysis will lead the discussion on what potential these sites/buildings hold, and how to make their preservation possible and withstand the uncurbed urbanisation and the threat of land development. Through discussion, we will focus on the social, cultural and economic aspects which the area and the buildings from the British period hold, and which can be useful in the future for the continuation of the Saddar Bazaar Quarter (SBQ), the historic urban landscape (HUL) and the heritage buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Heritage in Asian Cities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 263 KiB  
Article
More than Colonial Vestige? Afternoon Tea as Heritage Practice in Penang (Malaysia)
by Mareike Pampus
Heritage 2023, 6(3), 2928-2941; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6030155 - 10 Mar 2023
Viewed by 2158
Abstract
This article builds on insights from both critical heritage studies and Indian Ocean studies to argue that there is a need to delve deeply into how, by whom, and why heritage is practiced. Empirically, the practice of afternoon tea in Penang (Malaysia) provides [...] Read more.
This article builds on insights from both critical heritage studies and Indian Ocean studies to argue that there is a need to delve deeply into how, by whom, and why heritage is practiced. Empirically, the practice of afternoon tea in Penang (Malaysia) provides insights into habits, manners, and customs in order to explore heritage as a social practice. Drawing on ethnographic field research on the island of Penang in Malaysia, this article demonstrates how the multiple forms, as well as the changing production, practice, and preservation, of local cultural heritage are used to strategically and situationally create identities in dependence of the “other” and in response to a national heritage narrative. In contrast to what is nowadays often considered a colonial vestige, I maintain that these cultural heritage elements are not foreign but part of specific local cultural heritages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Heritage in Asian Cities)
13 pages, 1490 KiB  
Article
The Future Will Remember: A Historical Approach to Restoring Muffled Voices in Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory: The Macau Experience
by Catherine S. Chan
Heritage 2023, 6(3), 2796-2808; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6030149 - 8 Mar 2023
Viewed by 2607
Abstract
Using the case of Macau’s joss-stick manufacturing, this study contributes to existing dialogue on issues surrounding the institutionalisation of ICH safeguarding and the consequential devitalisation of intangible values in the process of inventory. Through a close analysis of official documents, old English- and [...] Read more.
Using the case of Macau’s joss-stick manufacturing, this study contributes to existing dialogue on issues surrounding the institutionalisation of ICH safeguarding and the consequential devitalisation of intangible values in the process of inventory. Through a close analysis of official documents, old English- and Chinese-language newspapers, pre-existing documentation, and oral and written interviews with the founders of Macau’s sole incense manufacturer, Veng Lei Laboratory (永利紙料), I will demonstrate the government’s scramble to compile an inventory of elements that lack depth and representation and the absence of communal involvement in the course of selection and inventory. Contrasting the history of the joss-stick industry with the official discourse, this study argues that the heritagisation of craftsmanship flattens the dynamics of the past experiences of practitioners and further muffles their voices. Providing an intervention to heritage studies from the historical perspective, it encourages a more careful consideration of the necessity of heritagising elements before they are inventoried. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Heritage in Asian Cities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop