A study of value of Chiang Khan wooden houses for conservation by participatory process

Abstract

Traditional house is the most uniqueness value of Chiangkhan town, and reflects significant recognition as economic benefits of tourism. In the meantime, traditional houses in Chiang Khan have been threatened by series of externally driven processes. Many of which were sold to other wealthy investors. Some were demolished in order to build modern ones or remodeled its original functions that damage the town’s appeal. Moreover, the lack of communication of traditional value for people in the community and tourists result in their travel program of one day trip or one night to just simply snap a photo with any type of wooden houses without knowing its soul. This brings a challenging time to maintain its reputation and the tenacity of culture. The project of “Participatory Approach on Local Wisdom Dissemination of Traditional Chiang Khan Houses” started with the study of traditional house value together with community participation process that brings to process of converting two traditional houses into learning space. This effort is to set example of traditional house conservation as a living museum. The participatory activity called “home hang” engaged sixty volunteers of Chiang Khan as kickoff action. This attempt has urged the community awareness and willingness in conservation and revitalization both local architecture and wisdom for the benefit of the community, create constructive tourism, and its value to succeeding generations