Call for papers ‘Revisiting Kathmandu. Safeguarding living urban heritage’ Kathmandu (Nepal) 25-29 November 2013 – Deadline: 26 August 2013
International Symposium
“Revisiting Kathmandu.
Safeguarding Living Urban Heritage”
25-29 November 2013. Kathmandu Valley
Deadline: 26 August 2013
“Revisiting Kathmandu” is an international symposium on the conservation of living urban heritage. It takes place in the context of a rapidly changing understanding of heritage as a concept that does not only include monuments any more, but complex urban spaces, where people live, work, worship and celebrate festivals. As values and aspirations of society change, urban settlements must adapt and respond to this change.
The symposium will discuss on how to maintain the delicate balance between conserving what represents the intrinsic character and value of the historic city, while, at the same time, allowing for the change that is required for the city to continue to live.
Each day of the symposium, which will be opened in the evening of 25 November 2013, will discuss these issues around one specific theme: authenticity, community, management and disaster risk reduction. Each day’s programme will include a keynote speech, presentations of case studies, group work and discussions. Additionally, there will be various supporting activities and posters presented in the evenings.
The Kathmandu Valley is a highly relevant venue to discuss the four themes of the symposium for a variety of reasons. The Nara Document on Authenticity adopted in 1994 has its origins in the controversy that arose from the restoration methods employed on the I Baha Bahi courtyard monastery in the Kathmandu Valley and the discussions at the World Heritage Committee in 1993. The same controversy also led to a decade long discussion and to the inscription of Kathmandu Valley on the list of World Heritage in Danger in 2003. It was removed from the list in 2007 when the Integrated Management Plan was adopted by the Government of Nepal. The Plan is being reviewed with discussions on community involvement. At the same time, disaster risk management is being given high priority in the document, as the return-period for a large earthquake in the Valley is looming.
“Revisiting Kathmandu” is a four day event providing a platform for debate on critical themes focusing mainly on living urban heritage. The Kathmandu Valley, which was inscribed on the list of World Heritage in 1979, is a fascinating example of urbanization. In 1992, the ICOMOS Wood Committee met in Kathmandu and critical comments were made on the restoration work being carried out on the I Baha Bahi. This was the beginning of a dialogue that led to the preparation of the “Nara Document on Authenticity” in 1994.This also let to the complex heritage site being placed on the list of World Heritage in Danger in 2003 due to uncontrolled urbanization and loss of historic fabric.
In this historical context, the themes of authenticity, community, management and disaster risk reduction remain of great relevance.
Dates for Presenters:
- Submission of abstracts: 26 August 2013
- Notification of abstract acceptance: 9 September 2013
- Submission of full papers & posters: 14 October 2013
- Notification of paper/poster acceptance: 21 October 2013
The committee reviewing the abstracts and presentations will be made up of members from the organizers
The abstracts for papers and poster presentations would need to be submitted under one of the following categories:
- Authenticity
- Management
- Community Involvement
- Disaster Risk Reduction
The topic can be dealt with either in a theoretical manner or through case studies. The review committee would be looking for contributions to the discussion on the topic and possible new
perspectives, approaches of dealing with or better understanding the issues. Only original papers, resulting from original research work, will be considered. Authors are responsible for co-authorship
statement (if and when necessary) and for the originality of submitted articles.
More information
Email: revisiting.kathmandu@unesco.org
Website: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/kathmandu/culture/revisiting-kathmandu
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