Plans are underway to turn the town of Uesuna in Paro into a cultural heritage site. The Dzongkha Ministry of Culture and Development strives to maintain classic architectural designs and living tactics while selling tourism and economic growth. Students from the Faculty of Science and Technology collaborated with the branch to expand proposals and concepts for this initiative. Uesuna village is located along the Paro-Thimphu highway.
Twenty-five students in their final year of architecture from the Faculty of Science and Technology (CST) stayed at Uesuna for a week.
The village, which has more than 30 homes, allowed scholars to talk to locals about preserving classic architectural designs, lifestyles and challenges, as well as promoting tourism and improving livelihoods.
This initiative is a joint effort between the Dzongkha Ministry of Culture and Development and the CST.
In addition to drawing up plans for Uesuna as a cultural heritage site, the task aims to revise the CST’s architecture curriculum to include modules on classical structure and conservation of heritage sites.
Deki Choden, a student, said: “We must perceive the physical diversifications of classical buildings and those built today. They don’t fit in length or style. We did the documentation, the site examination and the detailed drawings. We got reports on how to advertise and maintain culture in genuine life.
Pem Choki, architect of the Ministry of Culture and Development of Dzongkha, said: “Uesuna is strategically located between the capital and Paro, which is ahead compared to the rest of the districts. However, the facets of culture are the least considered. That is why we have brought here scholars who will examine and document the characteristics of the village and, during the course, will be able to protect how we can maintain and publicize the culture and culture.
The scholars developed five plans aimed at promoting economic expansion while preserving tradition, with an emphasis on agriculture, tourism, and crafts.
The projects aim to expand Heritage Grains (to maintain local cereals for self-sufficiency), Echoes of Time (i. e. to turn the whole village into a living museum), Isu-Zay (to promote regional cuisine), Ueusukor (to build a hiking trail around the village) and Your Chim: updating classic designs with modern conveniences.
The residents of Uesuna welcomed the plans and projects through the students.
Gyem Lham, a villager, said: “I am making plans to renovate and convert my space into a museum. However, due to monetary constraints, I was not able to do so. There are tourists who stop over in our village but we do not enjoy it at all.
“Academics asked us questions about our agricultural products compared to the past. Now we focus more on vegetables. In the past, we grew wheat, buckwheat and other crops, but we don’t grow them anymore,” said Sangay Dem, a villager.
“Our village is clustered in a unique and combined way. Tourists can enjoy a beautiful view from the top of the village. This is one more initiative that will improve our economy and livelihood. This will benefit us greatly,” said Dawa, Mendrel-Uesuna Tshogpa.
If the villagers decide to go ahead with the idea of village revitalization, they should go to the Dzongkha Ministry of Culture and Development for more information and its implementation.
Additionally, the task aims to demonstrate how cultural preservation and sustainable network progression can coexist, serving as a style that could be replicated in other rural communities.
Namgay Wangchuk, Strike
Edited via Tshering Zam.