| abstract | This paper will explore the concepts of democracy and community activism, and their
application to recovery of cultural heritage in the post disaster context. It will examine how the
community uses democratic and other processes to ensure salvage, reconstruction and recovery of cultural
heritage in the earthquake affected cities of Christchurch (New Zealand) and Kathmandu (Nepal).
The paper will compare and contrast the different National approaches to cultural heritage protection and
concepts of risk. It will also consider the different attitudes towards the value of cultural heritage as a
contributor to: the community’s social, spiritual and psychological well being; its sense of identity and
place; and the city’s future in the post disaster scenario. In the cases of both Christchurch and Kathmandu,
local community members have banded together to seek particular forms of recovery and reconstruction
for each of their city’s most iconic monuments, Christ Church Cathedral and Kasthamandap. The paper
will outline each community’s concerns and their efforts: in one case to save a place of immense historic,
aesthetic, spiritual and social significance from demolition; and in the other, to ensure that the lost
structure is reconstructed fully in accordance with customary practice, following the traditional approach
of cyclical renewal and reinstating the critical elements salvaged from the rubble. Reuniting the
community through revitalization of seasonal maintenance festivals and reestablishment of the local
community-based management system is seen as essential to the place’s sustainability into the future.
The paper will illustrate the importance of iconic places to community identity and their sense of place,
and the importance of community action in achieving the recovery of significant heritage places that are
at extreme risk. In the process, if the community is successful, it can achieve some healing, but if not, the
sense of loss, disconnection and disenfranchisement could be immeasurable. |
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