Rising from the Ruins: Proposed Policies and Intervention Plans to Revitalize and Conserve the Historic Village of Savidug
摘要
Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes has been on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1993 and is widely recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s most unique and well-preserved cultural landscapes. The village of Savidug on the island Sabtang, Batanes is home to the province’s most remaining vernacular Ivatan stone houses along with its other tangible and intangible assets. The unique cultural elements of this historic village contribute to the exceptional universal value of Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes, making it a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, most of the heritage structures in the village face the threat of deterioration and disappearance due to calamities, lack of maintenance, and modernization. Therefore, urgent measures need to be taken to safeguard the traditional houses and other cultural elements of Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes. This study documents and analyzes the urban planning and architectural elements of the Savidug Village and describes the issues and recommendations for restoration and conservation. In order to maintain authenticity and cultural integrity, the study suggests ways to balance contemporary interventions with conventional construction techniques through a review of the literature and stakeholder engagements. Compliance with national laws and international agreements, such as the National Cultural Heritage Act and the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN, is emphasized. It also aims to organize the knowledge-based framework of policies and intervention plans to ensure the cultural heritage’s long-term conservation and sustainable use and provide insights and recommendations on how best to revitalize and conserve the identity of Savidug village. Therefore, this study will identify potential solutions and best practices that can be applied to other traditional houses to ensure their sustainability and to provide insights and recommendations on how best to revitalize and conserve the historic village of Savidug.