Mapping Intangible Cultural Heritage in an Urban Context: Case of Historic City of Nashik, India

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the importance of heritage assets in urban settings. While tangible heritage sites like historic buildings and monuments receive considerable attention, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) often remains overlooked. This study focuses on the interplay between ICH and urban heritage, emphasizing its role in shaping the unique identity and fostering social cohesion within cities. The 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has been pivotal in recognizing and protecting these cultural expressions globally. Historic urban landscapes play a crucial role in preserving and promoting ICH, reflecting the tangible manifestations of cultural practices and traditions. This dynamic interplay between tangible and intangible elements creates vibrant cultural landscapes, fostering a sense of identity and belonging among urban populations. Despite growing recognition, scholarly literature reveals gaps in mapping and integrating ICH into urban heritage management. These gaps often arise from binary perspectives, such as culture/ nature and tangible/ intangible, leading to incomplete understandings of urban heritage. This research endeavors to bridge these gaps by investigating the identification and mapping of ICH in urban environments through the use of digital tools. Focusing on Nashik, Maharashtra, India, the study employs a mixed-methods approach, including interviews, surveys, field observations, and cultural mapping. Spatial analysis and visualization using GIS tools are utilized to analyse the distribution and patterns of cultural practices. The research seeks to understand the complex interplay between tangible and intangible heritage, ensuring the continued vitality of Nashik's cultural identity for future generations. One of the key outcomes of this study is the demonstration of the efficacy of digital tools, such as GIS, in mapping and visualizing the distribution of ICH within urban settings. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of how intangible cultural practices are spatially intertwined with the physical environment, providing a more holistic view of urban heritage. The integration of qualitative data from community stakeholders with spatial analysis has proven to be a powerful method for capturing the dynamic and lived experiences of urban ICH.

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