The Future of Asia's Past: Preservation of the Architectural Heritage of Asia

Over the course of five days over 350 leaders from around the world gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to discuss the future of Asia's past. This important gathering brought representatives from cultural authorities, experts on the cultural field, international organizations, corporations, tourism authorities, and interested public to take stock of what is presently being done and what can be done in the future to protect Asia's cultural heritage from urban sprawl, increasing tourism, pollution, war, and all the vast array of threats to the testimony of civilization. This publication summarizes the topics presented in the plenary sessions and in the smaller discussion groups centered around some important architectural and archaeological sites and monuments. It also includes the keynote addresses presented at the beginning of the conference and the recommendations agreed to by the speakers of the conference at its conclusion. The Future of Asia's Past: Preservation of the Architectural Heritage of Asia Contents Preface Welcoming Remarks Opening Address Bringing Conservation Philosophy into Practice Introduction to the Conference Plenary Session 1: Preservation Policy in Asia Site Management Session 1 Luang Prabang, Laos Nara, Japan Angkor, Cambodia Plenary Session 2: Cultural Tourism and Monuments Site Management Session 2 Borobudur, Indonesia Ajanta, India Bagan, Myanmar (Pagan, Burma) Plenary Session 3: Vernacular Architecture and Colonial Legacy Site Management Session 3 Kyongju, Korea Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan Harappa, Pakistan Hue, Vietnam Plenary Session 4: Public and Private Partnerships Site Management Session 4 Dunhuang, People's Republic of China Herat, Afghanistan Samarkand and Bukhara, Uzbekistan Ayutthaya, Thailand Plenary Session 5: Threats to Heritage Sites Plenary Session 6: World Monuments Watch: The Endangered Heritage Program of the World Monuments Fund Conclusions and Recommendations: Closed Session of Conference Speakers Closing Remarks Sponsors Addresses