Da Lat architecture conservation with the heritage education approach

Abstract

With the advantage of unique typology, distinctive climate, valuable heritages, and friendly people, Da Lat (Lam Dong) has been recognized by experts as a city "has what it needs" to become a heritage city. While urban in Vietnam are often formed according to a fairly common motif of "from the village to the city", Da Lat is the only urban area in Vietnam that has been properly planned since the early days of the French set foot on this highland. The city was planned and built before and with the settlement process. Although established and developed shortly in 61 years under the French colonial government (1893-1954), Da Lat has many unique and diverse colonial architectural heritages. The city was planned and built before and with the settlement process. Although established and developed shortly in 61 years under the French colonial government (1893-1954), Da Lat has many unique and diverse colonial architectural heritage. In 2020, the author took a survey on the current status of urban architectural heritage in Da Lat and found that the number of heritages being deformed, degraded, or even disappeared, are increasing, leading to the attractiveness reduction of the city. The
economic benefits of Da Lat's heritage have not been properly exploited and have a long-term strategy. The power to preserve the heritage from the community is huge when the stakeholders realize that heritage protection is to protect the identity and distinctive features of Da Lat. The study offers an approach to heritage conservation through community education, especially for young people. Thereby, the author emphasizes the orientation of heritage education for the community and affirms that heritage education is a sustainable approach to develop heritage conservation in Vietnam in general and in Da Lat in particular.

Keywords: urban architectural heritage; heritage education; heritage conservation; heritage economy.