Culture, Heritage Management and Tourism:

Models for Cooperation Among Stakeholders

Action Plan

Kandy – Sri Lanka

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:

A historical and sacred religious site, known since ancient times as the city of Senkadagalapura, Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala kings, whose patronage enabled the Dinhala culture to flourish for more than 2500 years until occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815.

The Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) is the most Important Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, and a famous pilgrimage site. Kandy’s court and temple complex rest on the shores of the Kandy lake. The entire city sits on a river valley, providing spectacular views of the mountainous landscapes from most points around the town.

STATEMENT OF COMMON VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT

As a heritage and ‘working’ city, Kandy experiences a conflict of interest between community groups who hold different visions for the future of the city. Generally, the city lacks a shared vision, with little awareness of cultural heritage. These conflicts are exemplified in problems such as ensuring the protection of listed buildings and issues of traffic and pavement congestion.

Kandy’s vision is to:

  • Increase civic pride and historical consciousness, so that residents can say ‘we are privilaged to be in Kandy’.
  • Make the historical inner city traffic free for the benefit of locals, businesses and visitors
  • Save the natural beauty of Kandy and its surrounds

TOURISM’S CONTRIBUTION TO KANDY’S VISION

Tourism will provide the following benefits to Kandy:

  • Income generation
  • A market for crafts, cultural performances and festival, thus enhancing and protecting the city’s living heritage
  • Through renewed interest from outsiders, revive and increase appreciation of the city’s cultural heritage
  • Provide support to civic pride resources

FLAGSHIP ACITON:

Increase civic pride and historical consciousness amongst residents under banner ‘We are privileged to be in Kandy’

Actions:

  • Opinion poll on five most important heritage buildings in Kandy
  • Statements on heritage of Kandy
  • March by school children around Kandy lake
  • Increased heritage focus on streets , gardens and public buildings
  • Use of devotional music of major religions – Buddhism, Hundism, Muslim, Christianity
  • Try to reappropriate some public spaces for pavement hawkers
  • Exhibition on built and natural heritage of Kandy
  • Awards for best conserved buildings
  • Mobilize architects for conservation
  • Photographic and graphic competition
  • Formulation of club/NGO of heritage building owners
  • Participation with chamber of commerce
  • Practice street closures incorporating bands and dancing, street drama, lighting and decoration

ISSUE # 1

Traffic congestion is bad though local businesses do not support road closures

Actions:

  • Closing a street to traffic in the historical centre on a trial basis
  • Awareness programmes to counterpart opposition to road closure
  • Survey of attitudes

Output:

  • Change of business operation – long term
  • Public convenience

Timeframe:

  • 6 months

Indicators:

  • Compare income of traders before / after road closure
  • Reduction in traffic accidents and claims

ISSUE # 2

Problems in protecting listed buildings

Actions:

  • Awareness programmes for

-Business community

-Property owners

-Politicians and administrators

Output:

  • Establish business community clubs for heritage

Timeframe:

  • Ongoing programme, starting in second month

Indicators

  • Expanded membership of heritage club
  • Reduction of harmful interference on heritage properties

ISSUE # 3

Lack of shared vision and awareness of cultural heritage within community

Actions:

  • Production of materials and slogans for heritage conservation
  • Production of heritage-based colouring-in books for children
  • Introduction of city tours for elders
  • Adoption of UNESCO World Heritage Education Kit into school curriculums
  • ‘Expert’ participation in heritage preservation (through pressure groups)

Output

  • Increased awareness and appreciation of local heritage issues

Timeframe:

  • Ongoing

Indicators:

  • Introduction of quiz programmes
  • Sales of above mentioned materials
  • Increased community participation in heritage programmes

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