Jahangir Selimkhanov (Azerbaijan)

Summary

In this presentation, Mr. Jangir Salim explores the intersection of sustainable urban development and intangible cultural heritage, challenging the idea that these concepts are at odds. He highlights how living traditions, such as crafts and festivals, can contribute to vibrant, sustainable cities by fostering social cohesion, stimulating local economies, and promoting eco-friendly practices. Using global examples from Azerbaijan, India, Bali, and beyond, Salim demonstrates how intangible heritage can play a crucial role in addressing urbanization's challenges. The presentation emphasizes the importance of integrating culture into urban planning for long-term sustainability and cultural richness.

Takeaways

• 😀 Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) can play a crucial role in creating sustainable and vibrant urban environments, helping cities preserve their identity while addressing modern challenges.
• 🌍 Urbanization drives progress but often leads to cultural loss, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Sustainable urban development seeks harmony in economic, ecological, and social aspects.
• 🌱 Intangible heritage, including living traditions like crafts and festivals, builds social cohesion, unites diverse urban populations, and fosters sustainable practices such as resource management.
• 🏙️ Sustainable urban development policies must integrate ICH into urban planning to ensure cities remain culturally rich, economically viable, and environmentally balanced.
• 📚 UNESCO's 2016 report emphasizes the importance of harnessing culture for human-inclusive cities, enhancing built environments through heritage, and embedding culture in urban policies.
• 💡 Key practical examples demonstrate how ICH contributes to sustainability: Azerbaijan’s carpet weaving festival, India’s pilgrimage cities, and Bali’s water management system all blend tradition with urban development.
• 🌾 The Subak irrigation system in Bali, listed by UNESCO, shows how traditional water management practices can inspire modern solutions for urban water conservation.
• 🦸‍♂️ Alpine pasture culture in Switzerland and Austria blends transhumance and avalanche knowledge, strengthening urban resilience through disaster planning and connecting rural economies to cities.
• 🥔 Indigenous potato cultivation techniques in Bolivia, Peru, and Chile offer sustainable farming practices that can contribute to urban food security and sustainability.
• 🎶 Global cultural festivals, like the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia or Cape Town’s electronic music scene, show how modern urban development can harmonize with cultural preservation and environmental action.
• 🌐 The integration of ICH into urban development strategies provides a blueprint for cities worldwide to develop sustainably, combining cultural richness with innovative solutions for the future.

Q & A

What is the main topic explored in this presentation?

The presentation explores the relationship between sustainable urban development and intangible cultural heritage policies, focusing on how they can complement each other to create vibrant, sustainable cities.

How does intangible cultural heritage contribute to urban development?

Intangible cultural heritage contributes by building social cohesion, sparking local economies through tourism and trade, and offering sustainable practices such as resource management, which help cities address modern needs.

What challenges do cities face with urbanization, and how does intangible heritage address these issues?

Urbanization can lead to environmental degradation, cultural loss, and social inequality. Intangible heritage helps address these challenges by providing sustainable solutions, fostering community unity, and preserving local identity amidst rapid development.

Why is public engagement important in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage?

Public engagement is crucial because it ensures democratic access to arts and cultural participation, helping to preserve living traditions and preventing heritage from being commodified or erased in the face of urban competition.

How does UNESCO contribute to the integration of culture in urban development?

UNESCO's 2016 report on 'Culture and its Urban Future' offers a three-fold strategy: using culture for human-inclusive cities, enhancing the built and natural environment through heritage, and embedding culture in urban policies for holistic sustainability.

What role do local traditions, such as crafts and festivals, play in sustainable urban development?

Local traditions like crafts and festivals are vital in transforming cities into sustainable hubs by rooting them in local identity, fostering social cohesion, and creating eco-friendly solutions that address environmental and social challenges.

Can you provide an example of how intangible heritage has been integrated into a successful urban project?

An example is Azerbaijan's National Carpet Festival, which showcased Azerbaijani carpet weaving in Baku's Old Town, turning the pedestrian area into a large exhibition space. This event not only preserved cultural heritage but also boosted tourism and local trade.

How does intangible cultural heritage relate to environmental sustainability?

Intangible heritage supports environmental sustainability through practices like eco-friendly crafts, traditional water management techniques, and agricultural methods that promote resource conservation, like the Balinese Subak irrigation system or the Alpine pasture culture in Europe.

What is the significance of the Subak irrigation system in Bali for urban sustainability?

The Subak irrigation system is significant because it demonstrates community-led water conservation, which supports sustainable rice farming and can be applied to urban water management strategies, contributing to ecological sustainability in cities.

What policy recommendations are suggested to integrate intangible heritage into urban planning?

The presentation recommends developing inclusive urban policies that prioritize intangible heritage, ensuring it is integrated into urban development strategies to enhance both cultural richness and sustainability, fostering a balanced approach to progress.