Abstract
The Luang Prabang World Heritage Site experienced tremendous change caused by rapid development and tourism growth. It is recognized that change is inevitable in evolving historic urban cities. Adequate information is essential in formulating strategies to manage change without compromising heritage values. Existing studies are critical of the impact of tourism negatively transforming Luang Prabang but lack in-depth analysis and a significant sample size to clearly discern the changes. This paper addresses the need to visualize the significant changes affecting the built environment of the core inscribed area of Luang Prabang World Heritage. Geographic information systems (GIS) were applied to compare the landscape between 1999 and 2009 based on indicators adopted from the Safeguarding and Preservation Plan (PSMV). Four significant changes were identified as follows: (1) there was an evident shift from residential to touristic use, particularly to guesthouses; (2) Lao traditional architecture has replaced modern architecture; (3) modern building materials have replaced traditional building materials; and (4) traditional roof materials have replaced modern roof materials. Changes in landscape were interpreted and factors that caused the changes were identified from the local stakeholders’ perspective.
Highlights
Introduction and ObjectiveThe inscription of a World Heritage title comes with positive and negative implications [1,2]
It is imperative that the dynamics of change in heritage cities be understood and change managed without undermining the outstanding universal value (OUV) [4]
The objective of this study is to identify the state of preservation of the landscape of Luang Prabang and clarify the extent to which the site has changed since its inscription as a heritage site
Summary
Introduction and ObjectiveThe inscription of a World Heritage title comes with positive and negative implications [1,2]. Tourism plays an important role in generating employment and reducing poverty in a World Heritage Site. Cultural heritage sites in less developed countries in Asia are facing an acute situation from having the fastest tourism growth rate in the world [3]. Lessons learned from the devastating effects of unplanned development and overly strict conservation have shown that a historic city needs both continuity and change [5,6]. Historic cities need to thrive and develop socio-economically [7]. Flexibility to cope with and react to change is vital for sustainability of the city. It is imperative that the dynamics of change in heritage cities be understood and change managed without undermining the outstanding universal value (OUV) [4]
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