Cultural economy and heritage (re-)making in a historic neighbourhood in Taipei

The Centre of Taiwan Studies is delighted to welcome Dr Desmond Hok-Man Sham to give a talk on culture-led regeneration in Taiwan, exploring how Taipei’s historic Twatutia (Dadaocheng) neighbourhood exemplifies the creative revitalisation of local heritage.

Culture-led regeneration has often been criticised for bringing in cultural economy activities that have few connections, if at all, with the local contexts, and leading to the gentrification of the historic neighbourhoods and the eviction of traditional businesses. In this presentation, I will use the case study of the historic neighbourhood of Twatutia (Dadaocheng 大稻埕) in Taipei, Taiwan, to propose a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between cultural economy and cultural heritage in historic neighbourhoods. 

The case of Twatutia demonstrates that the emerging cultural economy is able to create new cultural products by embedding local elements, and preserve, regenerate, and remake local cultural heritage through creative intervention. Emerging cultural economy can also make new heritage by engaging with existing local traditions. 

Meanwhile, preservers and practitioners of cultural heritage and traditional businesses are not necessarily 'passive victims' of neighbourhood transformation. Rather, they can actively showcase, remake and revitalise ‘traditions’ to adapt to a changing society through creative intervention, appropriating the discourses and practices of cultural and creative industries, and engaging in active collaboration with the emerging cultural economy.