Cultural Tradition as a Local Context for Sustainable of Urban Identity in Gianyar City Case Study

Abstract

This study explores the role of cultural traditions in maintaining identity for the city’s sustainability by looking at the relationship between cultural traditions, conservation, and urban design. Local culture, customs, and traditions are recognized as forming the character of space that gives identity. So cultural sustainability becomes a higher emphasis in sustainable development activities. Tradition can be understood and even creates a sense of place for local communities towards their environment in globalization if the principle of cultural essence is not threatened. Gianyar City, Bali, was chosen as a case study representing other cities with possibly similar characteristics. This area has the potential to fulfill a sustainable urban revitalization initiative. The study shows three urban form determinants, the dominant characteristics that project the attributes of fixedness and permanence: (1) Desa Adat, (2) pempatan agung (catuspatha), and (3) spatial division based on direction orientation (mandala and luan teben). It proves that tradition can bridge the change and development of community culture by ensuring that the basic beliefs of a group can be expressed and maintained in a residential environment.