Zuhdi Allam MA

PhD candidate

Area(s) of interest: Architectural History, Asian History

Cohort/Start PhD: 2023-2024

The History of Architectural Conservation in Indonesia since 1945

University of Groningen

Supervisors: Prof. dr. Cor Wagenaar, Dr Tino Mager

Architectural conservation in Indonesia has been present even before the country was born. It has given an immense legacy to the nation: typologies of architectural heritages that consist of traditional, Hindu-Buddhist, Islamic, Peranakan, and European heritages. After Independence, architectural conservation continued as a tool for creating a national identity and pride and mirrored a broader socio-political context. The country’s architectural heritage has also bred various actors in conservation efforts: local communities, architects, businesspeople, government, NGOs, international agencies, and others. The fact that Indonesia is a solid political entity implies that there should be dynamics between different architectural heritages and conservation activities conducted by these actors. Unfortunately, a history of architectural conservation and its relation to Indonesia’s socio-political context has never been written comprehensively. This proposed research investigates the history of architectural conservation in Indonesia since 1945, understands the underlying motives, and analyzes their position in a broader cultural context and the dynamics between them.