The Role of Traditional Regulation in the Indigenous Villages for Conservation of Village Pattern

Balinese traditional architecture is a significant treasure which has been inherited to the Balinese descendants. Scholars over the last 50 years have identified this statement, pointing to the unique and distinctiveness of... [ view full abstract ]

Balinese traditional architecture is a significant treasure which has been inherited to the Balinese descendants. Scholars over the last 50 years have identified this statement, pointing to the unique and distinctiveness of Balinese culture and its associated architecture. Their research documents Balinese architecture and culture of the past and how Balinese architecture has been affected by development pressures in Bali, and in the Indonesian nation as a whole. This knowledge can understood through their research that documents how the Balinese people interact with their society, to their spiritual realm and with their environment, and to their God which is integral to their philosophy of Tri Hita Karana which is their universal discourse. This historical relationship has ensured that Bali Island has become a major tourism destination and is considered one the most beautiful places on Earth, both of which result in increasing pressures upon Bali that directly affect the nature and quality of Balinese life.
Bali does under threat by globalization and digital technology dissemination. These agencies of change are spreading over the world and do have a direct affect upon people’s living whether positive or negative. In order to conserve the heritage of the Balinese vernacular landscape given this context, this paper considers the role of traditional Balinese regulations in seeking to keep green the integrity of village’s pattern in Balinese Indigenous villages. Through observations, interviews and mappings, the research has sought to explore how the Balinese Indigenous community could maintain and conserve their vernacular landscapes through the implementation of the Tri Hita Karana concept in their daily and religious activities. Fieldwork in the Indigenous villages found that many traditional rules have been important in preserving their cultural landscape. The research project recommendations offer strategies for the Bali government to better maintain and conserve this important component of Balinese heritage, as well as strategies forward to guide decision processes to ensure the conservation of this traditional architecture.