Saving Asia's Past

"The Asian megacity is set to become this century's predominant urban form, which means Western preservationists have much to learn from Bangkok, Dhaka, and Mumbai"

This article examines how bottom-up historic preservation has been successful in Asian cities. Community groups in Bangkok and Mumbai have led the charge to preserve the historic aspects of their cities, while still allowing for growth and development.

"Nevertheless, as Asian cities come to define the urban norm in the 21st century, preservation strategies that work in them must be highlighted, refined, and shared throughout the region. Tactics developed in the new Asian megacities also have the potential to make their way back to North America and Europe, challenging the traditional conventions of historic preservation practice there. The emerging emphases in Bangkok and Mumbai on community-level (rather than top-down) action, on negotiating the relationship between the dynamic populace and the static urban environment, and on accommodating the shifting values of new constituent communities, all represent worthy objectives in the West, as well as the East."

Thanks to David Godfrey