RT Conference Proceedings
SR 00
A1 Forbes, Catherine
T1 Community activism in the post-disaster recovery of cultural icons in Christchurch and Kathmandu
YR 2018
FD 13-14th December 2017
K1 community
K1 rights
K1 participation
K1 identity
K1 healing
K1 recovery
K1 activism
K1 democracy
K1 cultural heritage
K1 disaster
K1 earthquake
AB 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.
T2 ICOMOS 19th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium "Heritage and Democracy"
ED New Delhi, India
AV Published
LK http://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/1997/