Itsuki Uemura (M1) conducted a field work in Luang Prabang of Lao P.D.R

Itsuki Uemura

Duration: Sep. 7, 2017 to Sep. 29, 2017

 

Itsuki Uemura (M1) conducted a field work at ICT unit of Luang Prabang World heritage Office (DPL) in Luang Prabang, Lao P.D.R. This was the first time for Uemura to conduct a field work with ICT staff members. This field work includes the following five major activities: 1) discussion about the field work with a head of ICT unit of DPL, 2) participation in data collection and Input of the buildings located in the heritage site, 3) visualization of the individual attribute of all the buildings located in Zpp-Ua in 2017, 4) Participation in lectures organized by DPL and 5) visit to a waterfall. Table 1 shows the schedule of field work activities.

 

Table 1 schedule of field work activities

Activity Date
Activity 1:

Discussion about the field work with a head of ICT unit of DPL

September 7
Activity 2:

Participation in data collection and input of the buildings located in the heritage site

September 8 ~ September 22

Data Collection in September 8 ~ 20

ü  Phanuang village on September 8 and 11

ü  Mount Phousi on September 12

ü  Muang Nga village on September 20

Data Input in September 11 ~ 22

Activity 3:

Visualization of individual attribute of all the buildings located in Zpp-Ua in 2017

September 22 ~ 29
Activity 4:

Participation in lectures organized by DPL

September 22 (Thatlouang village)

September 24 (Vatthat village)

Activity 5:

Visit to waterfall

September 9:

Visit to waterfall

 

 

On the first day, a field work plan was discussed with Mr. Sisomphone who is the head of ICT unit of DPL. The first priority was to visualize the landscape of the entire heritage site using Geographic Information System (GIS), and develop thematic maps of the preservation zone (Zpp-Ua). It was decided that Uemura was to participate in data collection and input.

            The author participated in the data collection of the buildings located in Zpp-Ua and Zpp-Ub three times during the field work. First, the data on seven attributes of 48 buildings in Phanuang village in Zpp-Ub was collected with the ICT staff member Mr. Pout (Fig.1). Second, the data on attributes of 15 buildings in Mount Phousi in Zpp-Ua were collected with the ICT staff member Mr. Tino (Fig.2). Third, the data on attributes of 50 buildings in Muang Nga village in Zpp-Ub were collected with the ICT staff member Mr. Tino. Each time the data collection was finished, the data were inputted into ArcGIS.

1

Fig.1 Data Collection in Phanluang village on September 8, 2017

2

Fig.2 Data Collection in Mount Phousion September 12, 2017

          The team completed the collection and input of data for all the buildings located in Zpp-Ua. These data are called Zpp-Ua data 2017. Then, the author visualized each attribute of Zpp-Ua data 2017 in the form of the thematic map and descriptive statistics. Further, the maps were finished by inserting logos of Lao P.D.R., UNESCO and the World Heritage Office referring to the previous thematic maps of Zpp-Ua in 2001, which are included in PSMV. Fig. 3 show maps in 2017 about the usage of the buildings (excluding residence) as an example. It is obvious that the thematic maps provide visual insight on the change of each of the attributes.

1

Fig.3 Map in 2017 about usage of the Buildings (excluding residence)

 

DPL organized lectures in temples for local residents in heritage area on weekends from enhance the public awareness of Luang Prabang. The author attended two lectures which were held in Thatlouang village (Zpp-Ua) and Vatthat village (Zpp-Ub). Each lecture gathered around 40 people. First, a short video about the history and culture of Luang Prabang was shown. Second, a DPL staff member and a chief of the villages made presentations about good practices and concerns of Luang Prabang. At the end, DPL quizzes to the participants about Luang Prabang. They gave some goods to people who answered the quizzes correctly. The attendees seemed to seriously listen to the presentation. Some of the people often questioned DPL staff members.

On one weekend, a visit to a waterfall was made with DPL staff members and Prof. Takada. Some of us swam there, and Tokyo Tech team enjoyed talks and Lao food near the waterfall. It was the great landscape of Luang Prabang, and the relationships between Tokyo Tech team and DPL staff members deepened.

Also, Uemura could get three insights. First, the lecture for the public awareness of Luang Prabang in each village is considered very important for the preservation and management of the heritage site. The participants of the lectures seemed to understand the good practices and the issues of Luang Prabang. Second, temples in Zpp-Ua seemed to be thoroughly managed by monks. Each time Uemura visited the local temples, there are monks painting walls and reparing religious buildings. Third, working style in Luang Prabang is different from that of Japan. He realized the different working styles among local staff members.

Through this field work by participating in the data collection and input, Uemura understand what is done for managing Luang Prabang. It was also useful to learn how such activities are contributing to management and preservation of Luang Prabang. In addition, he could build good friendships with many DPL staff members by working hard and having friendly conversations after work and weekends. He continues to communicate with the members and wishes to DPL conducting the management and preservation of Luang Prabang.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email