Abstract:
This talk presents a case study of the traditional towns of Kathmandu Valley, the major urban centre of Nepal, to illustrate how these towns have evolved as a constructive conglomeration of the tangible and intangible urban heritage elements. Evidence shows that in these historical towns, the urban heritage elements not only coexist to define a public realm and characterise a social milieu of the built environment, but the heritage elements have also influenced each other as the cities have grown and matured over a period of time. In particular, the presentation will highlight the role of social practices, focusing on such features as organisation of communities and social networks, traditional belief systems and the communal life, in shaping the public spaces that are existing in urban neighbourhoods. The presentation will also discuss how the physical elements present in neighbourhood public spaces relate to the socio-cultural traditions of the local inhabitants that are being practiced till date on a daily basis as well as during major festivals and social occasions.
