Valorisation and institutionalization for a sustainable heritage management

Written By Tanzil Shafique

by

Md Shajjad Hossain | University of Évora, Portugal & BRAC University, Bangladesh

Filipe Themudo Barata | University of Évora, Portugal

Md Golam Fardaush | Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh

Abstract:

Institutionalization is a mechanism aiding conservation and valorisation of heritage and has been practiced for long. Deinstitutionalization also has a long history but less documented and theorized than the previous one. The relationship between the two has been drawing attention of scholars lately and demonstrated through case studies (e.g., Aggie Bonfire described by Dacins). The relationship has varied contributing factors and strong influences over management of heritage and can be studied from many perspectives, including decoding artefacts, human, formal and informal institutions in phases and layers especially when they overlap on a time scale, merging their cultural, anthropological, and other identities. The reference site for this article, Khalifatabad at Bagerhat is a past settlement which is now a blend and hidden in a present settlement where the contemporary urbanism takes place in its own pace. The political, social, spiritual, climatic, and other influences driven by history is acutely vivid. The local economy is also dependent on the historic valorisation of the site to a large extent. Unfortunately, no-institutionalization and contestation between formal and informal institutions resulting in inefficiency of managing a heritage site do not do a justice to the UNESCO world heritage site, let alone make it a source of revenue at national scale. The aim of the research is to follow a methodological approach to identify discrepancy in institutionalization and propose guidelines to integrate this knowledge in the process of better heritage management with a superior urban and economic development in mind. Another objective of the work is pedagogic. There are numerous historic sites in Bangladesh that deserve equal attention and carry the potential of being an inspiration and driving force of development. The learning from Bagerhat may provide pedagogical resource for urbanism for them.

Keywords:

Institutionalization, Valorisation, cultural heritage, de-institutionalization, Khalifatabad

Author bio:

TBC

Tanzil Shafique

Tanzil Shafique, Assoc AIA, is a PhD researcher at the Melbourne School of Design. Previously, he was the Design Research Specialist at the Office of the Dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design at University of Arkansas, where, he worked also as a Project Designer at the University of Arkansas Community Design Center and was a faculty for the Urban Design Studio, leading the Urbanism Seminar. He graduated at the top of his M.Arch in Ecological Urbanism class from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York in 2014. His thesis was awarded the Faculty Graduate Award. He was practicing architecture in NYC before moving to Arkansas. Previously he taught undergraduate studios in BRAC University in Bangladesh. As part of the UACDC, his work has been awarded numerous AIA awards. He writes and lectures on design philosophy around the world. In 2016, he co-founded Estudio Abierto / Open Studio with Paco Mejias. 

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