HOW CAN WE MAKE THE PAST TO BE PART OF OUR FUTURE?

BY: PREMDYL SINGH SHADAN, 0329179

“Architecture wrote the history of the epochs and gave them their names” Ludwig Mies Van
Der Rohe. In the quote referenced above, it explains that architecture is not merely a piece
of document, however it showcases the importance of time and place when the building
necessarily needed to exist. In the present world, buildings of different significance, value
and historical background can be found easily within proximity from one another, indicating
the change of eras and architecture styles that have proven to exist. For example in Paris,
buildings may date back to early Gothic times such as the Notre Dame whilst ranging to
buildings such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower that represent a more contemporary and
modern architecture style. All these buildings today, co-exist forming one identity known to
the world as the “city of Paris”- integrating efforts of both past, present and possible future
times and buildings.

Firstly, by integrating cultural heritage conservation in infrastructure upgrading and urban

regeneration to strengthen cities we can make the past to be part of our future. The
leaders of the cities need to meet the local community’s expectations- by allowing the rise
of the standard of living and allowing more job opportunities for the economy,
simultaneously conserving the community’s unique local heritage to create a stronger
“sense of place” and to not disregard of it. This positive identity may create support energy
for development through international branding by increasing tourism and exposing new
cultures to foreigners- inviting them to try new things. Also, by integrating heritage
conservation with urban infrastructure may improve facilities through the use of
appropriate design, sensitive material selection and attention to resident needs and
preferences.

Besides that, we can make the past to be part of our future by supporting the best practice
in conservation to protect cultural heritage with all of its values and significance. By
recognising the importance to conserve the cultural heritage aspect of a building or town
such as its historical, social, scientific and economical value, a more sustainable and
conserve-friendly attitude may arise in the community today. The community can
participate to protect the value and significance by increasing education, affluence, and
leisure time that grows interest in the exploration of the generations to come. For example,
a place of worship such as the St. George’s Church in Penang has been pinned as a
landmark in the core zone of the UNESCO Heritage Site. It is to be considered a place of
education to its respective followers, a place of affluence for tourist and a place of leisure
time for the community that has been brought up there. By focusing on supporting
institutions and specialist, the community can aim for a more sustainable future of financial
planning, operation and maintenance of heritage sites.

Finally, strengthening the links between cultural heritage conservation and local economic
development can allow the past to be part of our future. Cultural tourism has a dynamic
link as it increases the international and domestic tourism through heritage conservation
with the economic growth of a place. Therefore, the need to create a more strategic
development and protection towards heritage sites are crucial so we can aim for improved
infrastructure, conservation and management for cultural heritage tourism sites. The
linkage of both cultural heritage conservation and economic development allows the
sustainability of a place by deriving the economic benefits such as enriching the place with
more small business opportunities. For example, in Armenian Street, Penang, old
shophouses have been converted to a multiple array of functions ranging from cafes, artist
galleries, jewellery shops, museums and even boutique hotels. All these additional
facilities are run by the local community’s abilities and efforts. Simultaneously, these
shoplifts have been focused in adaptive reuse by creating new endeavours in same
venues- which increases the local economic activity of the place.

In conclusion, by integrating cultural heritage conservation in infrastructure upgrading and

urban regeneration to strengthen cities, supporting the best practice in conservation to
protect cultural heritage with all of its values and significance and strengthening the links
between cultural heritage conservation and local economic development can allow the
past to be part of our future. However, the next generations to come must be fully aware of
the issues and challenges that may arise ahead for example leverage traditional
knowledge for smart growth and energy conservation and recognise the potential of
cultural heritage to contribute to future development of creative industries. These issues
and challenges must allow support and drive conservation into sustainable growth and
poverty reduction if needed in the place of preservation.