Para Limes

Conference: 1st Singapore Heritage Science

Conference: 1st Singapore Heritage Science

Date: 6 – 7 January 2014

Venue: Nanyang Technological University – School of Art Design and Media, Level 2, ADM Auditorium

Address: 81 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637458

Synopsis

This international conference focuses on the combined use of Heritage and Complexity sciences.

From a 21st century global perspective, new insights in the meaning and importance of heritage can help guide strategic policy choices. Indeed, heritage policies deeply impact the development of local identities of cities and countries. Given its short history and limited number of data (relative to e.g. China and Europe, where an overwhelming amount of data interferes with the feasibility of complex case studies), Singapore may be an ideal place to develop the management tools to do this and thus serve as a global case study. These tools may be tested and applied first in Singapore, and then exported to other countries.

In our conference, we propose to observe heritage through the lens of complexity science, which studies emergent properties in systems with many strongly interacting players. In particular, we realize that heritage is shaped by complex interactions between the present and the past, giving rise to different regimes separated by tipping points. To decide whether we wish to remain in a regime or to make a transition to a different one, we need to measure how close we are to the various tipping points. Complexity theory offers the tools to detect this. In particular it helps us to understand the nature of regime shifts in terms of ‘who’ (key players), ‘what’ (key heritage elements), ‘when’ (key timings), ‘where’ (key locales), ‘why’ (key drivers for the change), and ‘how’ (key mechanisms). Once we understand the regime shifts, we can then offer suggestions on data-driven procedures to engineer a desired regime, move towards it or stay within a given regime.

In the conference we intend to answer the questions:

What does Heritage mean for the future of Singapore? How can complexity science help Singapore to make the best possible decisions with regard to its heritage and the way it may help Singapore to face the challenges of the 21st century?

Singapore intends to pioneer the combination of these two sciences, Heritage and Complexity.

We warmly invite you to participate in what promises to be an exciting conference.

Videos & Presentation Slides

Bertil Andersson – Welcome Address

President, Nanyang Technological University

Vibeke Sorensen – Opening Address

Chair of School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University

Jan Wouter Vasbinder – Opening Address

Member of Governing Board, Para Limes

Andrew Tan (Keynote Chair)

Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

Helga Nowotny

Past President, European Research Council and Professor Emerita of Social Studies of Science, ETH Zurich

Panel 1: Complexity & Heritage Sciences

Helga Nowotny (Chair)

Past President, European Research Council and Professor Emerita of Social Studies of Science, ETH Zurich

Roland Fletcher

Professor of Theoretical and World Archaeology, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry, University of Sydney

John Stephen Lansing

Visiting Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University

Panel 2: Emerging Challengers in Heritage Science

Khoo Teng Chye (Chair)

Executive Director, Centre for Liveable Cities

Michael Walsh (Associate Chair, School of Art, Design and Media, NTU) for Lisa Ackerman

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, World Monuments Fund

Stefano Bertocci

Professor of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Florence

Alessio Re

Programme Specialist in Heritage Management and World Heritage Studies, UNESCO-ITRECH and SiTI

Panel 3: The Future of Heritage Science: Primary, Secondary & Higher Education in Singapore

Gül İnanc (Chair)

Lecturer, School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University

Chua Ai Lin

Assistant Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore

Ivy Maria Lim

Assistant Professor, Humanities and Social Studies Education, National Institute for Education

Teo Hui Lin Lena

Curriculum and Assessment Specialist, Nanyang Girls’ High School (Former Senior Curriculum Specialist, History Unit, Ministry of Education)

Opera: “D’amor sull’ali rosee” Italian Opera Arias

Supported by the Embassy of Italy and Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore, and Yamaha Music (Asia) Pte Ltd Singapore

Akiko Otao

Soprano

Francesco Frudua

Pianist

Dr. Gianluca Rubagotti – Welcome Remarks

Deputy Head of Mission, on behalf of HE Dr. Paolo Crudele, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy

Panel 4: Architectural Heritage

Michael Walsh (Chair)

Associate Chair, School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University

Cao Yongkang

Director, Shanghai JiaoTong University International Research Centre for Architectural Heritage Conservation

Yeo Kang Shua

Assistant Professor, Singapore University of Technology and Design

Jean Wee

Director, Preservation of Sites & Monuments, National Heritage Board

Julia Watson

Assistant Professor, The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University

Panel 5: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Elaine Ng (Chair)

Chief Executive Officer, National Library Board

Wan Wee Pin

Deputy Director, Engagement Division, National Library Board

Liew Kai Khiun

Assistant Professor, Division of Broadcast & Cinema Studies, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University

Julia Chee

Deputy Director, Oral History Centre, National Library Board

Ng Bee Chin

Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University

Andrea Nanetti and Cheong Siew Ann – Closing Remarks

Conference Chairs

 

Heritage Science as a Complex System

Date: 6 – 7 January 2014

Venue: Nanyang Technological University – School of Art Design and Media, Level 2, ADM Auditorium

Address: 81 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637458

 

Synopsis

This international conference focuses on the combined use of Heritage and Complexity sciences. From a 21st century global perspective, new insights in the meaning and importance of heritage can help guide strategic policy choices. Indeed, heritage policies deeply impact the development of local identities of cities and countries. Given its short history and limited number of data (relative to e.g. China and Europe, where an overwhelming amount of data interferes with the feasibility of complex case studies), Singapore may be an ideal place to develop the management tools to do this and thus serve as a global case study. These tools may be tested and applied first in Singapore, and then exported to other countries. In our conference, we propose to observe heritage through the lens of complexity science, which studies emergent properties in systems with many strongly interacting players. In particular, we realize that heritage is shaped by complex interactions between the present and the past, giving rise to different regimes separated by tipping points. To decide whether we wish to remain in a regime or to make a transition to a different one, we need to measure how close we are to the various tipping points. Complexity theory offers the tools to detect this. In particular it helps us to understand the nature of regime shifts in terms of ‘who’ (key players), ‘what’ (key heritage elements), ‘when’ (key timings), ‘where’ (key locales), ‘why’ (key drivers for the change), and ‘how’ (key mechanisms). Once we understand the regime shifts, we can then offer suggestions on data-driven procedures to engineer a desired regime, move towards it or stay within a given regime. In the conference we intend to answer the questions: What does Heritage mean for the future of Singapore? How can complexity science help Singapore to make the best possible decisions with regard to its heritage and the way it may help Singapore to face the challenges of the 21st century? Singapore intends to pioneer the combination of these two sciences, Heritage and Complexity. We warmly invite you to participate in what promises to be an exciting conference.   [Programme]  

Videos & Presentation Slides

Welcome address by Bertil Andersson President, Nanyang Technological University   Opening address by Vibeke Sorensen (Chair of School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University) and Jan Vasbinder (Director, Complexity Institute, Nanyang Technological University)   Speech by Keynote Chair, Andrew Tan Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Biography   Keynote Speaker: Helga Nowotny Past President, European Research Council and Professor Emerita of Social Studies of Science, ETH Zurich Biography & AbstractPresentation   Panel 1: Complexity & Heritage Sciences Chair: Helga Nowotny Past President, European Research Council and Professor Emerita of Social Studies of Science, ETH Zurich Speaker: Roland Fletcher Professor of Theoretical and World Archaeology, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry, University of Sydney Biography & Abstract │ Presentation Speaker: John Stephen Lansing Visiting Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Biography & Abstract Video for Panel 1   Panel 2: Emerging Challengers in Heritage Science Chair: Khoo Teng Chye Executive Director, Centre for Liveable Cities Biography Speaker: Michael Walsh (Associate Chair, School of Art, Design and Media, NTU) for Lisa Ackerman Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, World Monuments Fund Biography & AbstractPresentation Speaker: Stefano Bertocci Professor of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Florence Biography & Abstract Speaker: Alessio Re Programme specialist in Heritage Management and World Heritage Studies, UNESCO-ITRECH and SiTI Biography & Abstract │ Presentation   Video for Panel 2   Panel 3: The Future of Heritage Science: Primary, Secondary & Higher Education in Singapore Chair: Gül İnanc Lecturer, School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Chua Ai Lin Assistant Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore Biography & AbstractPresentation Speaker: Ivy Maria Lim Assistant Professor, Humanities and Social Studies Education, National Institute for Education Biography & AbstractPresentation Speaker: Teo Hui Lin Lena Curriculum and Assessment Specialist, Nanyang Girls’ High School (Former Senior Curriculum Specialist, History Unit, Ministry of Education) Biography & AbstractPresentation Video for Panel 3   Opera: “D’amor sull’ali rosee” Italian Opera Arias – Supported by the Embassy of Italy and Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore, and Yamaha Music (Asia) Pte Ltd Singapore Akiko Otao – soprano Biography Francesco Frudua – pianist Biography Welcome remarks by Dr. Gianluca Rubagotti, Deputy Head of Mission, on behalf of HE Dr. Paolo Crudele, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy   Panel 4: Architectural Heritage Chair: Michael Walsh Associate Chair, School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Cao Yongkang Director, Shanghai JiaoTong University International Research Centre for Architectural Heritage Conservation Biography & Abstract │ Presentation Speaker: Yeo Kang Shua Assistant Professor, Singapore University of Technology and Design Biography & Abstract │ Presentation Speaker: Jean Wee Director, Preservation of Sites & Monuments, National Heritage Board Biography & Abstract Speaker: Julia Watson Assistant Professor, The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University Biography & Abstract | Presentation Video for Panel 4   Panel 5: Intangible Cultural Heritage Chair: Elaine Ng Chief Executive Officer, National Library Board Biography Speaker: Wan Wee Pin Deputy Director, Engagement Division, National Library Board Biography & AbstractPresentation Speaker: Liew Kai Khiun Assistant Professor, Division of Broadcast & Cinema Studies, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University Biography & Abstract Presentation Speaker: Julia Chee Deputy Director, Oral History Centre, National Library Board Biography & AbstractPresentation Speaker: Ng Bee Chin Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University Biography & Abstract Presentation Video for Panel 5   Closing remarks by conference chairs Andrea Nanetti and Cheong Siew Ann Biography