A Study on the Problems of Altering Lao Traditional Houses in ZPP-Ua Zone, Luang Prabang World Heritage Site, Lao PDR

Abstract

As globalization has caused a dramatic change in social economic and cultural areas in the past several decades, the urban environments have also been influenced by global trends as people attempt to adjust their housing designs and construction methods to fit their new needs and desires. This study takes place in Luang Prabang which is considered as an unique ancient city in Laos and Luang Prabang has been named by UNESCO as the first world heritage site in Laos since 1995. Luang Prabang city is rich in both tangible and intangible cultural assets which perfectly reflect traditional customs and cultures continuously inherited over many generations. The main objectives of this study is examine on some significant purposes of various problems that affect the designate Lao traditional houses during three periods including the beginning era of Lao traditional house, French colonized era and transformation houses in the modern.

In addition, this study also provides a glimpse of the cultural living styles and characteristic features of Lao traditional houses in Luang Prabang. Particularly, the architectural elements, materials and main structures of the building which are commonly used in Lao traditional architecture, their functions, and purposes of modifying traditional houses for adapting to the changes of local climate. The harmonious combination of Lao traditional and French architecture during French colonized period as a demonstrated the new values and a prosperity of the city. These unique architectural and construction styles have become valuable and outstanding identities of World Heritage site in Luang Prabang. Because of this, the styles of this accommodations, buildings and their identities have been conserving until recent days. However, there are still a lot of changes and adaptions in some ancient buildings which are influenced by the needs of socio-economic development factors.

After Luang Prabang city become a world heritage site and the traditional houses have been pressured by the growth of socio-economic needs, the pace of change has accelerated. This study also emphasizes on finding out the main reasons for transformation and modification in traditional houses of Lao people and their influencing factors on transforming or adapting traditional houses for fitting in the globalization trend. In this study, it directly examines on conserving the characteristics of traditional houses and case studies of traditional houses in Luang Prabang are also taken into the research in order to find out and identify the modification and transformation through each period especially elements, components and the basic spatial formation in modifying and transforming traditional houses in Luang Prabang.

The study reveals that there is a transformation and modification in traditional houses because of some significant factors. The globalized trend, regulations, socio-economic factors are main causes in this transformation and modification in traditional houses in Luang Prabang city. The study case also specifically reveals that the changes in traditional houses are influenced and motivated by economic benefits which is an important income generating source for low and middle-income residents in Luang Prabang as well as the growing demand of accommodation of local residents. Additionally, the study shows that the new styles of accommodation and living space are designed and modified based on general functions in daily life which have combined people needs and conserving characteristics of traditional houses during the transitional period.