A Cross-Regional Study of Built Heritage Conservation in South Asia within the Global Heritage Discourse

Abstract

This paper explores the built heritage conservation perspectives around the globe while analysing the international charters and local practices in the South Asian region.The international charters provided extensive guidelines for the protection of heritage while following procedures. The implementation in diverse regional and cultural context still requires additional research and formulation of procedures. The study employed two phase qualitative methodology starting from the literature mapping for the synthesis of key trends and paradigms in global heritage discourse, highlighting the material-centric conservation to inclusive community engaged approaches for sustainability. The second stage analysis of global case studies to explore the operational challenges within the South Asian context. The finding reveals that in this part of the world the global heritage frameworks are embedded in conservation practice but facing severe issue due to the socio-cultural, political and historical factors in addition to the economic instability. The paper concludes with the recommendations for application of context-sensitive approach embedded with the traditional aspect and the global construct.