D Mehta Globelics2009

Deepa Mehta 06 - 08 October 2009 GLOBELICS Dakar

Deepa Mehta, M.Sc. / Columbia University [email protected]/tarim/

UNEARTHINGINNOVATION

On Conservation & Development:The Role of TraditionalMud Brick Architecture Firms in Southern Yemen


Does the conservation of mud brick architecture in southernYemen have important regional growth implications?


Deepa Mehta 06 - 08 October 2009 GLOBELICS DakarDeepa Mehta 06 - 08 October 2009 GLOBELICS Dakar

Do the conservation practices of mud brick architecture insouthern Yemen have important regional growth implications?

• Does innovation play a role in mudbrick construction practices today?

• How can heritage-labeled informalindustries contribute to

development goals?

• How can the heritage frameworkplay a more informed role in the

development framework?


YEMEN

Context


SEYOUN, CAPITAL OF THE HADHRAMAUT


SHIBAM, WORLD HERITAGE CITY


TARIM, HOME OF AL-KAF FAMILY HISTORIC VILLAS


Conceptual Framework

HeritageConservation

EconomicDevelopment

TRADITIONALINDUSTRIES

social institutions

technological change


On Development

• Embedded in non-economicsocial & cultural institutions (Braudel, 1992)

• Alternative growthtrajectories (Harris-White,2003)

• On flexibility & specialization(Seibel & Zeitlin, 1997)


Development Realities in the Hadhramaut

• Institution-building - poverty reduction - providing support for SMEs

• Globalizing dynamics - new construction typologies - improvements in literacy, education, & career choice

• Rich cultural landscape - heritage conservation agencies & on-going projects - world heritage sites & cultural tourism


MastercraftsmanCraftsmanApprenticeGeneral Builder

PermitsConstructionPartnerships

Local;Regional;NaturalMudLumberStraw

Regional;International;Industrial:GlassSewage/Telecom. PublicInfrastructure

Demand Supply

Home owner

Building owner

Mosque

Government

SME MATERIALS DESIGN/BUILD

5 TO 8 MONTHS

Mud brick firms & the basic building process


On Conservation

• Intrinsic connection tosocietal values & traditions(Nasser, 2003)

• Intangible heritage as socialprocess (Katsamudanga,2005)

• Ongoing vernaculartraditions are living heritage(Jokilehto, 1998)

• Community in heritagemanagement (Akrout-Yaiche,2002)


Conservation relationships in Hadhramaut

LOCAL

REGIONAL

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

PRIVATE PUBLIC

UNESCOGTZ

GOAMGOPHCY

Ministry ofPlanning

HadhramautRegional

Governorate

Tarimi Assemblyfor HeritageProtection

SFD

ForeignDirect Investment Mud

BrickSMEs

WMF

Ambassador’sFund forHeritage

Preservation

CBE

ICOMOS


Living Heritage: evidence of innovation?

• Conservation is a social process• Development includes living heritage•For a way forward, there is a need for good policy that includes:

INDUSTRIAL ANALYSISLEGAL FRAMEWORKSOCIAL POLICYECONOMIC POLICY

• Need for an effective heritage- development dialogic


Deepa Mehta, M.Sc. / Columbia University [email protected]/tarim/

THANK YOU

D Mehta Globelics2009

Technology

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