Constructing public history as a way of urban preservation: The conservation action of Gui-Yang Street historic urban landscape, Bangka.
Date Issued
2016
Date
2016
Author(s)
Chan, Pin-Cheng
Abstract
Under the practices of action research, this thesis aims to examine the issues regarding urban conservation of Gui-Yang Street, Bangka, while applying the concept of “public history” developed by Dolores Hayden to challenge the authority of mainstream historical structure and reconstruct the spatial context and public life in the old urban blocks. Through the analysis of public history of the street, the study provides three major findings. First, the authorities and professionals in the 1990s didn’t recognize the significance of public history while conducting the programs of urban conservation. Secondly, the identity of “Taipei’s First Street” is not homogeneous and is recognized with differences among communities. Finally, the rupture of local continuity is constantly caused by the transformation of urban form. The sense of history and community is being threatened by the projects of urban renewal demolishing the rhythm and public life of the street. At the same time, the red-brick buildings as a potential heritage site on the street confronted risks of being renewed. The aged buildings, dating back to colonial-period, not only share artistic value with people but also support daily public life along the pedestrian arcade. However, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act cannot prevent the public life from being demolished. Consequently, the study refers to Historic Urban Landscape approach addressed by UNESCO in order to inspire the upcoming conservation action concerning the tangible and intangible. As a result, the action carried out by researcher succeeded to put off the renewal process by persuading owners into reconsidering the renewal project; on the other hand, the action group came to consensus that future conservation should put an emphasis on public history and integrate community capacity building with local development by leasing and revitalizing the underused historic buildings on the street.
Subjects
public history
public life
urban conservation
Gui-Yang Street
historic urban landscape
Bangka
SDGs
Type
thesis
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
ntu-105-R01544009-1.pdf
Size
23.54 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):a94684447748de9fe795e9747053fc7e