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Arts & Communication Cultural convergence in heritage landscapes

toward participation, and touristic pressures to prioritize unity with the universe. Accordingly, an Eastern nature-
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materials over community needs – such as at the ancient spirituality perspective manifests in heritage strategies
city of Pingyao, Shanxi, China. Community engagement that can prioritize the conservation of landscapes in
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is typically utilized to ensure heritage landscapes remain their natural state. These strategies aim to maintain the
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relevant to the lives and values of local residents by aligning spiritual energy and environmental balance that contribute
conservation with community aspirations and needs. This to perceptions of the landscapes’ sacred significance.
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helps to foster a sense of ownership and shared responsibility By contrast, English perspectives often emphasize the
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and preserves the intimate connections between people and centrality of human experience and the built environment
place. 63 within conceptions of cultural landscapes, which places
A concern for public ownership of land and the an importance on elements of the landscape formed and
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preservation of open spaces was at the birth of the modern shaped by people; and as already alluded to, the value that
Western conservation movement in England, alongside Western-European cultures place on the transformation
the preservation of historic buildings. Western-European and adaptation of landscapes to serve human needs often
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conservation strategies often involve a balance between results in significant alterations to the natural environment.
community engagement and the expertise of conservation The human-centric approach underscores the Western
professionals. However, in some countries, such as England, belief in the mastery of nature for progress, innovation,
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this balance is more evident in practice than in supporting and the satisfaction of human desires –hence why English
policy and guidance documents. While recognizing the heritage strategies often involve the manipulation of
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importance of local input, Western societies typically value landscapes to accommodate human activities and modern
the specialized knowledge and skills that experts bring to functionalities.
heritage landscape conservation. 23,65 This reflects the focus 4. Discussion: Toward a cultural convergence
on technical proficiencies that seek to achieve “wholeness”
and “stability,” which relates to the aforementioned The elucidation of Eastern and Western approaches
tendency toward restoration and reconstruction of cultural toward heritage landscapes formed from the literature
heritage assets. Certainly, the involvement of experts across these six key elements has illuminated that
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acknowledges the technical and historical intricacies of contrasting perspectives that provide valuable insights
heritage landscapes while also respecting the cultural and into cultural values, heritage conservation strategies, and
social contexts that shape them. It is therefore the fusion of the resulting impact these have on the human experience
local perspectives with expert knowledge through varying and appreciation of cultural landscapes. Underpinned by
degrees of consultation that best categorizes the English these differences, this discussion focuses on synthesizing
approach towards community involvement. While them into a holistic framework for supporting a cultural
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this can ensure appropriate balance between historical convergence of approaches toward heritage landscape
accuracy and community aspirations, it does tend to conservation. This framework is broken down into four key
favor the technical preservation of cultural resources over elements which have the capacity to overcome the differences
community involvement. 66 that have been identified within the literature review
(Figure 1). By synthesizing Eastern and Western qualities,
3.6. Nature, spirituality, and human-centricity methodological space can be made for developing a holistic
An inherent dichotomy between Eastern and Western approach that can amalgamate the strengths of both cultures.
approaches toward heritage landscapes lies in their It is this notion of “cultural convergence” which this research
distinct perspectives on the relationship between nature, suggests can support more effective conservation of World
spirituality, and human-centricity. These differences reflect Heritage landscape sites, by capturing a broader spectrum of
diverse cultural attitudes toward the interconnectedness heritage principles and concerns which amalgamate Eastern
of humans with the natural world and the prioritization and Western traditions of practice.
of human needs within heritage landscapes. Chinese
perspectives often conceptualize heritage landscapes as 4.1. Harmonizing spirituality and esthetics
sacred spaces that embody the harmonious connection The Eastern emphasis on spiritual significance and the
between humans and the natural world. The purposeful Western focus on art and esthetics can be harmonized to
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interconnection of nature and spirituality within create a more immersive visitor experience. By integrating
approaches underscores the belief that the conservation both aspects, heritage landscapes can offer not only esthetic
of landscapes is essential to maintaining spiritual balance beauty but also a sense of transcendence and connection
and cosmic harmony – supporting the notion of heritage with the divine. This approach recognizes that spirituality
landscapes as places of reverence, contemplation, and can be evoked through esthetic elements, fostering a

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.1923