TITLE:
Towards a Better Approach: A Critical Analysis of Heritage Preservation Practices
AUTHORS:
Lingran Zhang
KEYWORDS:
Heritage Preservation, Sustainable Development, Critical Analysis, Change
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.10 No.5,
May
9,
2022
ABSTRACT: This essay aims at providing insights into understanding contemporary
society’s efforts in preserving heritage for future generations. Through a
critical analysis of literature, it investigates the development of heritage
preservation methods from the top-down listing approach proposed by UNESCO
since the 1970s to the more recent bottom-up approach that centers on community
participation. It argues that both the concept of heritage and the duty of
heritage preservation are an evolving process that does not have a definite
response. How to best preserve our heritage thus requires maintaining an open
mind that perceives preservation as change and invites active engagement of
heritage in the present.