Behind the San Sebastian Basilica, one of Manila’s historic churches, a high-rise
condominium development has sparked a conflict between developers and heritage
conservation groups. The development not only threatens the authenticity of the site, but
also has the potential to derail efforts to list the church as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The case reflects the clash between economic incentives through property development
and efforts to preserve culture (2023).
In Thailand, particularly in the Pattani region, there has been a long-standing conflict
between the central government and the Malay Muslim community. In addition
to political and identity issues, the conflict has also been fueled by economic and
development policies that often ignore local traditions and cultural rights. In Bangkok
and other major cities, the pressure to build office buildings and transport infrastructure
has often led to the destruction of historic areas and the loss of traditional cultural
knowledge and practices (2020).
In Cambodia, prioritizing tourism and economic development around the Angkor Wat
site has raised concerns about cultural commodification and environmental degradation,
as well as the loss of local cultural authenticity. Activists and conservationists struggle
with pressure from developers and governments seeking to maximize tourism revenues (2023).