Revisiting Heritage Discourses Through the East–West Dichotomy

Historic cities and towns, large and small, along with their natural and man-made environments have a distinct identity. Embodying tangible and intangible elements, incorporating cultural practices and expressions, and conveying complex cultural meanings and values—they are, inevitably, in a state of perpetual change. The built environment acts as a ‘place’; or a ‘site’ where most of these expressions are shaped. Though discussed across various scholarships over decades, the interrelationships of the tangible and the intangible have been challenging to manage in practice. Asia, home to many ancient civilizations constitutes various groups and regions with overlapping histories and cultures, where the notion of heritage is deeply connected with the landscapes through the rituals and traditions. These areas are living and dynamic, representative of a way of life and it is this intangible characteristic that needs to be safeguarded. With the inclusion of Culture in the 2030 UN sustainable agenda, the deliberations on heritage within the realm of sustainable development have taken centre stage. Enhancing the community’s sense of identity and belonging, historic settlements can contribute to targets under Goal 11.3 as well as others. This chapter discusses the ongoing discourses, the gaps, and the challenges setting the stage for the papers in the book.