Upcoming SPAFA SESH: New Normal Throughout History: Urban Society Adaptations to Crisis, 16 Oct, 10am-12pm (BKK time), 11am-1pm (MNL time)

Date: 16 October 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Bangkok time), 11:00  a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Manila time), 4:00-6:00 a.m. (London time)

Online Platform: Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/seameo.spafa/ and on *Zoom *(Please register at: http://bit.ly/SPAFASESH_NewNormalThroughoutHistory_RegForm)

At present we are aware that our world is changing due to COVID-19 outbreak. While the pandemic still continues and no one knows how this biological disaster will end. Various protective measures such as physical distancing, rearranging the lay-out plan and facilities of public spaces, changing social practicing and etc. have been implemented so as to mitigate the spreading as well as catastrophic impacts from the disease. It has been debatable whether these changes will be temporary or will become the new social orders or normal that brings new ways of life to the mankind.

Looking back on our history, many examples of human adaptation to several kinds of disasters can be obviously seen around the world. On one hand the innovation or adaptation of building materials and technologies was developed to mitigate the impacts from earthquake as we can see from San Sebastian Church in Manila in the Philippines while urban structure in many historic towns such as London was redesigned for better safety and sanitary reasons after the great fires particularly in 1666. On the other hand floating structure and house on stilts showing human’s resiliency along riverine areas were seen around Southeast Asia in the past. However, ultimately relocation of the ancient capitals or resettlement of several towns including Ayutthaya, a capital of Siam Kingdom which was developed to be Thailand at present, is an extreme case study to demonstrate the sense of survival of people from the unavoidable outbreaks such as plague and smallpox.

In SPAFA SESH on “New Normal throughout History: Urban Society Adaptations to Crisis”, three speakers will share case studies on human adaptation learnt through the history of three cities: London, Manila and Ayutthaya.

Guest Speakers:

1. Sasathorn Charoenphan, Archaeologist, Museum of London Archaeology
2. Tina Paterno President, ICOMOS Philippines, Former Technical Director, San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc.
3. Siripoj Laomanacharoen, Historian, Columnist and Author

Moderator:

Ms Hatthaya Siripatthanakun, SEAMEO SPAFA Specialist in Cultural Heritage Conservation

[Discussion will be conducted in English]