ICOMOSTHAILANDINTERNATIONALCONFERENCE2015
Incollaborationwith
InternationalCommitteeofVernacularArchitecture(ICOMOS‐CIAV)and
InternationalCulturalTourismCommittee(ICOMOS‐ICTC)
6th–9thNovember2015,Bangkok,Thailand
CIAV+ICTC2015TimberHeritageandCulturalTourism:
Values,InnovationandVisitorManagement
Introduction
ICOMOS Thailand International Conference 2015, ‘‘Timber Heritage and Cultural Tourism:
Values,InnovationandVisitorManagement”,isco‐organizedbytheInternationalCommittee
of Vernacular Architecture (ICOMOS‐CIAV) and International Cultural Tourism Committee
(ICOMOS‐ICTC)andco‐hostedbytheFineArtsDepartment,MinistryofCulture,andICOMOS
Thailand’snetworkofacademicinstitutions.
Our 2015 international conference provides a platform for discussion and knowledge
exchange among global scholars, practitioners, entrepreneurs and others, as well as for the
participation of many local communities and site managers who are looking for new and
innovativemethodstoconservetheirtimberheritageandengagelocalpeopleinsharingwith
visitors their appreciation and awareness of the values represented by and associated with
these structures. Establishing a range of theoretically sound and viable options for creative
approaches to conservation within the framework of developing and managing timber
heritage‐temples,bridges,houses,villages,shrines,shipsandfactories‐asculturaltourism
destinationsarethecoreaimsofthisconference.
Wood is one of the most sustainable construction materials due to its multiple usages and
renewability. In many countries it has been used in parts or all components of vernacular
architecture.Knowledgetransferofdesigntechniques,meaningandcraftspeople’sskillsled
totheexistenceofthearchitecturalmasterpieceswiththeiruniquecharacteristicsweknow
today.Industrialization,newmaterials,andadvancesinthetechnologyofconstructionhave
brought about a decline in the skills and knowledge of timber structures and timber
conservation; and a parallel decline in the popularity of wood as a construction material.
There have been a number of negative impacts. Primarily the continuity of creative
Page 2 craftsmanshipismissing.Andthisgap,inturn,createsproblemsin knowledgemanagement
andvalueinterpretationforvisitorsatspecificheritagesites.
MainTheme:TimberHeritageandCulturalTourism
Subthemes
Theconferencewillconsiderthreemainsubthemes.Contributionsonthefollowing
subthemesarewelcomed:
1.Values
TimberHeritagecoversadiverserangeandscaleofconstructionfromindigenoushousesand
historicvillagestooldfactoriesandbridges,aswellasancientpalaces,shrinesandships.It
deals with both tangible and intangible values, including the authenticity of material and
craftsmanshipinconservationprocess,eitherthroughrestorationorreconstruction.Timber
conservation addressed through the lens of cultural tourism raises a number of pertinent
theoretical and practical issues in terms of assessing the physical and social value and
conservationoftimberheritage.Whoidentifiestheheritagevalues?Whatisitsfunctionaland
symbolic meaning today? How can ancient/sacred values and everyday usages continue in
harmonious accord? The significance of timber heritage in the 21st century inevitably
involvesitsrole inenhancingtheeconomicvalueof thehistoricassetsand maintaining the
spirit/senseofplace.Arethesecompatibleorcontradictoryobjectives?
2.Innovation
Documentation and conservation processes for timber heritage presently deal with both
conventionalskillsanddigitaltechnology.Totakemeasurementsuseismadeofvernacular
drawingsurveytechniquesand3Dscanners.Similarlymanualcraftskillsarecomplemented
by the use of computerized precision techniques such as laser‐cutting. The transformation
andcontinuityofancientconservationmethodswithcutting‐edgetechnologicalinterventions
hasgeneratedanumberofconcernsinrespectoftheappropriateheritageinterpretationand
knowledge management involving local communities. Affordable conservation processes
become a key issue in the context of sustainable tourism and sustainable community
development. Innovation also covers governance and management ‐ the effective
participation of communities, law and finance tools and models of stakeholders/ agency
cooperation.
3.VisitorManagement
Timber heritage sites, range from an isolated constructions to complexes of buildings or a
wholevillage.Theyfaceavaryingscaleandlevel ofinteractionwithvisitors.Some temples
andpalacesarewell‐preservedandbustlingwithvisitors,whilemanyindividualhousesand
‘less’significanttimberheritagebuildingsareinthelaststagesofdilapidation,threatenedby
theimpetusfornewinvestment,tourismandgentrification.Livingheritageplacesand‘dead’
monuments need different approaches to sustainable visitor management. Tourism impact
assessmentsandissuesrelatingtothelimitsofacceptablechange(LAC),onboththephysical
CIAV+ICTC 2015 Timber Heritage and Cultural Tourism, ICOMOS Thailand International Conference Page 3 and social/spiritual heritage are current concerns for the honeypot village or religious
‘timber’ heritage destinations. Conflicts arise from the need to develop visitor facilities and
interpretation for those people unfamiliar with the traditions and customs associated with
these destinations often in direct opposition to the spiritual quality or way of life of local
people. New concepts, such as the eco‐museum and virtual tourism, among others, may be
essentialtobalancetheneedsofcommunities,conservationandtourism.
Abstract
Instructionsforsubmittinganabstract
1)Abstractfortheproposedpapersshouldrangebetween300‐500words.(inEnglish)
2)ItshouldbeelectronicallysubmittedinbothMicrosoftWordandAdobePDFfilestoe‐mail
address:submit@ciav‐ictc2015.org
TimeframeforpapersSubmission
Date
Procedures
15March
Callforabstract
Deadlineforabstractsubmission
30April
***Allsubmittedabstractwillbe
reviewedbytheconferencecommittee
2June
Announcementofabstractapproval
15July
Deadlinefordraftpapersubmission
15August
Announcementofdraftpaperapproval
1September
Deadlineforfullpapersubmission
CIAV+ICTC 2015 Timber Heritage and Cultural Tourism, ICOMOS Thailand International Conference