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EN
ES
FR
Réf.
41586
Type
conference item
Titre
Threats to the spirit of the place: Urban Space and Squares, Historic City Core, Kathmandu
Langues
English
Auteurs
Rai, Ruprama
Date
2008
Pagination de section
1-10
Titre de conférence
16th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Finding the spirit of place – between the tangible and the intangible’
Lieu de conférence
Quebec, Canada
Date de conférence
29 sept – 4 oct 2008
Mots-clés
historic town centres / urban growth / uses / conflicts / heritage at risk / urban development / spirit of place / World Heritage List / urban spaces / causes of deterioration / intangible heritage
Pays mentionnés
Nepal
Monuments et sites
Kathmandu, Nepal
N° Patrimoine mondial
121
Résumé en anglais
The historic city core of Kathmandu consists ofunique arts and architecture amidst vibrant culture, tradition
and ritual practices. Its traditional compact planning isinterrupted by spaces endowed with special character that
they are testimony to existence and development of thespirit. But today, this spirit is missing due to its deteriorating
spatial quality. There are many interlinked threats to thespirit of the space which lead to abandonment, loss of
cultural heritage and sustainable practices. They eventuallygive rise to modernization trends which are inappropriate
and incompatible. If not regulated in time, they will causeirreversible damage to the inherent spirit. At present, the
focus of historic space is largely on monuments and housesbut what traditional urban space needs is proper
management of its uses relative to its values and time. Forthis, competent management and clear legal framework are
required to regulate emerging challenges. Therefore, publicparticipation, strengthening of institutional capacity and
public awareness programs based on indigenous values shallbe encouraged. Thereby, the traditional values are preserved
and enhanced for contemporary needs and as well as forposterity. This research is based on urban space along axis
linking squares of different hierarchy and accessibility, withKathmandu Palace Square Monument Zone at the centre.
The methodology consists of both theoretical and empiricalfindings through literature reviews, site surveys and
interaction with local people and authorities.
and ritual practices. Its traditional compact planning isinterrupted by spaces endowed with special character that
they are testimony to existence and development of thespirit. But today, this spirit is missing due to its deteriorating
spatial quality. There are many interlinked threats to thespirit of the space which lead to abandonment, loss of
cultural heritage and sustainable practices. They eventuallygive rise to modernization trends which are inappropriate
and incompatible. If not regulated in time, they will causeirreversible damage to the inherent spirit. At present, the
focus of historic space is largely on monuments and housesbut what traditional urban space needs is proper
management of its uses relative to its values and time. Forthis, competent management and clear legal framework are
required to regulate emerging challenges. Therefore, publicparticipation, strengthening of institutional capacity and
public awareness programs based on indigenous values shallbe encouraged. Thereby, the traditional values are preserved
and enhanced for contemporary needs and as well as forposterity. This research is based on urban space along axis
linking squares of different hierarchy and accessibility, withKathmandu Palace Square Monument Zone at the centre.
The methodology consists of both theoretical and empiricalfindings through literature reviews, site surveys and
interaction with local people and authorities.
Document joint
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