Speaker:
Janet Pillai
Founder, Arts-ED
Date: 18 September 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 6:00–7:00pm
Venue: Room 419, 4/F, Knowles Building, The University of Hong Kong
Abstract:
Cultural landscapes are unique environments that call for place-based planning. It is important to recognise and understand cultural landscapes as unique and dynamic spaces of interaction between humans and nature. Planning requires a holistic approach that integrates natural, living and built elements. It is a challenge particularly to deal with non-physical and dynamic factors such as climate, ecology, cultural and social dynamics.
This presentation introduces ‘cultural mapping’ as a useful pre-planning tool that enables an integrated understanding of cultural landscapes. It involves systematic recording of information on the historical, social, economic and environmental dimensions of the place and synthesizing the data to identify the unique character and workings of the landscape. The presentation also highlights the importance of engaging community and stakeholders in the mapping process to understand how diverse users interact with the environment and derive value from historical, natural and cultural assets and resources.
Biography:
Janet Pillai is an independent consultant and resource person from Malaysia specialising in community development and cultural sustainability. Pillai is founder of an NGO dedicated to heritage and culture education. The NGO works in partnership with educators, institutions and local agencies who seek to use creative and transformative approaches to sustainable community development. Besides having led many cultural mapping projects in urban and rural Malaysia, Pillai has authored several books and offers training in cultural mapping for professionals in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Japan.
Enquiry: arcevent@hku.hk
All lectures are open to the general public. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.