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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Embracing change and responding to cultural resilience for heritage

presenters

    Weiran Zhang

    Nationality: China

    Residence: United Kingdom

    University College London

    Presence:Online

This essay explores the resilience of various types of heritage in response to change, drawing examples from Chinese architecture and European statues. Through examining heritage buildings in Hong Kong and Macao, the essay highlights adaptive reuse and indigenous design techniques as strategies for coping with social and environmental shifts. While tangible aspects of heritage may change or disappear, its intangible values endure, perpetuating its essence. The removal of statues symbolizes the evolution of societal ideologies, demonstrating heritage's capacity for reinterpretation and adaptation. Emphasizing the importance of heritage preservation, the essay argues for the sustainability of cultural identity through the maintenance of skills, knowledge, and values. Therefore, it is important to recognize what is valuable to society, whether it be objects, buildings, or the intrinsic values and meanings they embody. Heritage remains fluid and adaptable; only by understanding what merits protection can individuals determine which changes to embrace. In this manner, heritage can maintain sustainability and exhibit robust resilience.

Keywords:

Cultural resilience, adaptive reuse, revitalization, climate change