“Don't ever change”? Cultural heritage and social development in “timeless” Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang faces a growing paradox as it is marketed as a 'timeless' city of cultural heritage while the rest of Laos undergoes rapid development. This study reveals that Luang Prabang's preservation-focused agenda may isolate its heritage zone, turning it into an idealized island of the past as the country develops around it. Conducted through 15 months of ethnographic research, including participant observation and interviews with local residents, the study highlights the lived contradiction between heritage preservation and social development in Laos. It raises critical questions about how preservation agendas intersect with rapid development, particularly in contexts influenced by external factors such as Chinese investment.

Wilcox, P. (2020). “Don’t ever change”? Cultural heritage and social development in “timeless” Luang Prabang. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 10(3), 317–327. https://doi.org/10.1108/jchmsd-05-2019-0049