• Asian Cities
• Global Asia
• Asian Heritages

The "Asian heritages" cluster explores the notion of heritage as it has evolved from a European-originated concept associated with architecture and monumental archaeology to incorporate a broader diversity of cultural forms and values. This includes the contested distinctions of "tangible" and "intangible" heritages, and the importance of cultural heritage in framing and creating various forms of identity.

The notion of heritage
Whether viewed from a Western or Asian perspective, at a nation-state or local community level, different meanings and strategies may be assigned to "heritage". In Asia, the notion is often associated with the construction of post-independence nation-state models, the definition of national "traditions" and "authenticity," and the idea of a pre/post-colonial historical national continuity. Discussions about heritage are often state-dominated, and this leaves little room for local views.

But who decides what heritage is, how it should be managed, and what rules should apply? Having an understanding of the notion of heritage in a given situation is a powerful instrument in any discussion of "ownership" and social agency. For example, the listing of a site or building as "national" or "world heritage" may very well expose the object of conservation to the negative side-effects of increased tourism. This is relevant when the object involved is of special importance to the local community (for example a temple with its significance for the local inhabitants). In that case the local community may justifiably fear dispossession by conservationist zealots from outside. In order to stand up to this threat, local communities should be aware of the mechanisms and consequences of heritage recognition and of the benefits and dangers of heritage exploitation.

Aim
The cluster will address the variety of definitions associated with heritage and their implications for determining who benefits or suffers from their implementation. It aims to engage with a broad range of concepts including the issues of "authenticity," "national heritage," and "shared heritage", and, more generally, issues pertaining to the political economy of heritage. It will also critically address the dangers involved in the commodification of perceived endangered local cultures/heritages, including languages, religious practices, crafts and art forms, as well as material vernacular heritage. The cluster aims at directly engaging Asian and European scholars, artists, intellectuals, and other social educators in a constructive postcolonial civil-society-to-civil-society dialogue, in a spirit of genuine, mutually beneficial Europe-Asia collaboration.

Research topics
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: the different concepts of "heritage" to be found in various social groups, the ownership of heritage, the uses and problems associated with colonial heritages, national and international aspects of heritage management, heritage and sustainable development, "modernization," endangered forms of heritage and their conservation, and participatory forms of heritage politics.