Conservation of a ‘living heritage site’ A contradiction in terms? A case study of Angkor World Heritage Site

Abstract

This article censiders the netien ef ‘living heritage’ in the light of a case study of Angkor World Heritage site. It demonstrates the gulf between the old conservation approach of freezing an idealized past for the interest of outsiders and the need for a new approach that incorporates the idea of making the site ‘living’. The key stakeholders of Angkor, the local inhabitants, are excluded from their social space, heritage and policy-making. The concept of conservation has been challenged by this community, which is also encouraged to develop the site and maintain it as a ‘living‘ place. The article explores a new conservation ethic and management approach that is mere dynamic, peeple-centred and future-oriented.