Timber Heritage and Cultural Tourism:
Values, Innovation and Visitor Management
CIAV-ICTC 2015
CALL FOR PAPERS
Rahang Market Community by Korapat Kanlumyai, RSU VERNADOC 2011
6th – 9th November 2015
Bangkok, Thailand
ICOMOS THAILAND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2015
In collaboration with
International Committee of Vernacular Architecture (ICOMOS-CIAV)
and International Cultural Tourism Committee (ICOMOS-ICTC)
Introduction
Main Theme: Timber Heritage and Cultural Tourism
ICOMOS Thailand International Conference 2015, ‘‘Timber Heritage and Cultural Tourism:
Values, Innovation and Visitor Management”, is co-organized by the International Committee
of Vernacular Architecture (ICOMOS-CIAV) and International Cultural Tourism Committee
(ICOMOS-ICTC) and co-hosted by the Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, and ICOMOS
Thailand’s network of academic institutions.
Subthemes
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
innovative methods to conserve their timber heritage and engage local people in sharing with
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, ships and factories - as cultural tourism
destinations are the core aims of this conference.
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. Knowledge transfer of design techniques, meaning and craftspeople’s skills led
to the existence of the architectural masterpieces with their unique characteristics we know
today. Industrialization, new materials, and advances in the technology of construction have
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
craftsmanship is missing. And this gap, in turn, creates problems in knowledge management
and value interpretation for visitors at speci�ic heritage sites.
Abstract
Instructions for submitting an abstract
1) Abstract for the proposed papers should range between 300 -500 words. (in English)
2) It should be electronically submitted in both Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF �iles to e-mail
address: [email protected]
Timeframe for papers Submission
Date
15 March
30 April
2 June
15 July
15 August
1 September
Procedures
Call for abstract
Deadline for abstract submission
***All submitted abstract will be
reviewed by the conference committee
Announcement of abstract approval
Deadline for draft paper submission
Announcement of draft paper approval
Deadline for full paper submission
for more information please visit : www.ciav-ictc2015.org
The conference will consider three main subthemes. Contributions on the following
subthemes are welcomed:
1. Values
Timber Heritage covers a diverse range and scale of construction from indigenous houses and
historic villages to old factories and bridges, as well as ancient palaces, shrines and ships. It
deals with both tangible and intangible values, including the authenticity of material and
craftsmanship in conservation process, either through restoration or reconstruction. 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
conservation of timber heritage. Who identi�ies the heritage values? What is its functional and
symbolic meaning today? How can ancient/sacred values and everyday usages continue in
harmonious accord? The signi�icance of timber heritage in the 21st century inevitably
involves its role in enhancing the economic value of the historic assets and maintaining the
spirit/sense of place. Are these compatible or contradictory objectives?
2. Innovation
Documentation and conservation processes for timber heritage presently deal with both
conventional skills and digital technology. To take measurements use is made of vernacular
drawing survey techniques and 3D scanners. Similarly manual craft skills are complemented
by the use of computerized precision techniques such as laser-cutting. The transformation
and continuity of ancient conservation methods with cutting-edge technological interventions
has generated a number of concerns in respect of the appropriate heritage interpretation and
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 �inance tools and models of stakeholders/ agency
cooperation.
3. Visitor Management
Timber heritage sites, range from an isolated constructions to complexes of buildings or a
whole village. They face a varying scale and level of interaction with visitors. Some temples
and palaces are well-preserved and bustling with visitors, while many individual houses and
‘less’ signi�icant timber heritage buildings are in the last stages of dilapidation, threatened by
the impetus for new investment, tourism and gentri�ication. Living heritage places and ‘dead’
monuments need different approaches to sustainable visitor management. Tourism impact
assessments and issues relating to the limits of acceptable change (LAC), on both the physical
and social/spiritual heritage are current concerns for the honeypot village or religious
‘timber’ heritage destinations. Con�licts 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
essential to balance the needs of communities, conservation and tourism.