Back Issues 11-20

THE CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE POST-DISASTER COMMUNITY – THE RESEARCH OF CULTURAL CONSTRUCTION IN SIAO-LIN VILLAGE IN TAIWAN 

Shih-Feng Hung

Ph.D. Candidate, Graduate School of Architecture, 

National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, R.O.C.

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Chao-Ching Fu

Emeritus Professor, Graduate School of Architecture, 

National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, R.O.C.

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Po-Hsien Chiu*

Associate Professor, Department of Tourism and Recreation, 

Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan, R.O.C.

*Corresponding Author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

The reconstruction progress in the post-disaster Siao-lin Village which was seriously destroyed by Typhoon Morak in 2009 are usually evaluated by environmental reconstruction projects, such as permanent housings, memorial parks, memorials, and other public buildings. However, other aspects of cultural reconstruction, such as such as traditional beliefs, life styles, and the model of interaction with the environment, which may connect the spirits between destroyed and reconstructed sites, are ignored. In this research, an interdisciplinary framework, including sociology, and theories of architecture and heritage conservation, will be applied. Documents will be analyzed, fieldtrip investigation will be carried on, cultural activities on sites will be observed, and the stakeholders on different levels will be interviewed. Besides, the concepts derived from the Quebec Declaration adopted by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) in 2008 will be discussed as part of the theoretical framework. With this research, on cultural sustainability in three “new” Siao-lin communities reconstructed after the disaster will be main issue of discussion. Discourses will be focused on how the “cultural reconstruction” is executed with the policies from different governmental authorities, supporting and accompanying programs from NGOs, and acting strategies from the demands of the survivors? Furthermore, how the “genius loci” could be preserved through the reconstruction of the tangible buildings and the intangible cultural traditions? 

Key words: Cultural Sustainability; Siao-lin Village; Cultural Reconstruction; Typhoon Morak; the Quebec Declaration