Rethinking Conservation: the Notion of Manage Change in Conservation Theory and Practice in Singapore

Conservation always involves a certain degree of change or intervention that inevitably results in some form of change to the historic buildings and sites. In this sense, this paper deals with the notion of manage change in conservation theory and practice in the case of Singapore. In conservation theory, the notion of manage change is seen since the emerge of contemporary conservation theory as shown in many charters and conventions. In practice, the notion of mange change is shown in the case of Singapore. In Singapore, change or intervention in the conservation areas in term of new uses and new buildings is to ensure that every protected building remains in use and that most buildings, remain economically sustainable that relevant in a new economic environment. Therefore, the notion of manage change was the establishment of the Preservation of Monuments Board in 1971, the 1987 Central Area Structure Plan such as Chinatown, and the URA conservation guidelines. The selection of new uses and activities to regenerate the conservation areas, very often emphasis is placed on economic viability and appropriateness for the new context with particular attention is devoted to the role of tourism. The addition of new buildings has been set to complement the historic area, to limit the new buildings to the same height as that of the historic buildings, and the new should be of a modern language so as to allow the historic building to retain its uniqueness. In short, the notion of manage change in today practice of conservation in many cities of the world including the city of Semarang is a must to conserve historic buildings and sites remains in use.