Study on the development of urban historical area and the conservation of cultural heritages from the viewpoint of the participation of local organization

The historical areas are frequently early-developed districts in the city. Due to the urban modernization, the cultural heritages composed the historical area are demolished and then replaced by communal facilities to upgrade the urban faculties. However, the urban context is the outcome of the social transition of the city; therefore, the spatial characteristic of historical area responds to the process of the development of the city. The value of the cultural heritages is not only the its own historical significance but the contemporary living culture of the city. Because of the large spatial scale, the conservation and regeneration of historical area needs a long-term process with interdisciplinary professional issues. As a result, the current problems are that the policy is dominated by government and scholars while local people are difficult to participate, and is more emphasis on the outsiders and "tourists" than inhabitants. By several years' participant observation, this research found out that the participant process of the activities can bring local groups and residents to identify themselves with the historical area; and the participant model with multiple and integrated local organization brings themselves up on professional knowledge and ability in the aspect of the cultural heritages. To present and to interpret autonomously the cultural connotation of the activity by the local people is helpful to continue the development of the dynamic culture. On the other hand, the transformed and multi-used places for the activity can respond to the dilemma of the modernization and the conservation. The cultural heritages related to activities may become supportive environment during the development process of the historical area in the city.