Contestation and negotiation of heritage conservation in Luang Prabang, Laos

This paper reports on the findings of a study into the interactions between entrepreneurs and heritage regulators in the conservation of historic buildings in the UNESCO listed town centre of Luang Prabang, Laos. Based on interviews and surveys conducted with property owners and business owners in this heritage zone, and with a representative of the town's heritage regulation authority, the research investigates the relation between enterprises, the heritage environment they occupy, and the Heritage House – the heritage regulation body that determines the way in which they may use and adapt their buildings. Issues include perceived benefits and constraints brought by preservation policies and practices, as well as changes in property usage and decline of traditional ways of life as spinoff effects of UNESCO listing, which threaten the town's intangible heritage. Entrepreneurs and regulators each perceive the other stakeholder group as a source of constraints and challenges. The paper proposes that understanding heritage in terms of collaborative, rather than adversarial, processes, could contribute to more socially sustainable conservation practice, and makes recommendations for institutional and organizational changes that could support such a culture of negotiation and collaboration in heritage conservation in Luang Prabang.

► Perceived lack of clarity and flexibility in conservation regulations constrain entrepreneurs' operations and development.
► Local heritage regulating authorities constrained by perceived lack of empowerment and self-determination.
► Locals leave because of costs of maintaining heritage buildings. Building uses change, threatening intangible heritage.
► Evolution of the town is hindered by these constraints on stakeholders.
► Recommend public-private partnerships, empowering local heritage authority, united commercial sector position on heritage.