| Conservation is an essential part of stable and sustainable development. This thesis discusses historical conservation planning theories and practices in general and relate to economic and rural development. The modern development approach has been applied to most rural areas, especially to those in Thailand since the 1960s. The environmental degradation which has resulted from this approach has been overlooked. Thus, it is essential to find an alternative approach to meet the conservation and development needs of historical rural settlements where self-reliance and sustainability of the communities have to be fostered. The study of three villages in Northeast Thailand reveals the existence of historical resources in the forms of ancient monuments and settlement patterns as well as the so called "eco-cultural" resources. The latter have been identified as the natural resources altered by cultural activities which include farmland, water resources, and community forests. Their existence in the eco-cultural system has been shown to be essential for the self-reliance and sustainability of the communities in this thesis research.;Since the present "modern" approach to planning is not responsive to environmental integrity, economic viability, and social and cultural vitality, the "eco-cultural planning" (ECP) approach is proposed in this thesis. Theoretically, it is an integrated approach built upon the concepts of historical conservation and sustainable development in association with approaches from different fields of study: human geography, human ecology, landscape ecology, and historical conservation. Practically, it emphasizes the physical conservation of eco-cultural resources, community-based resource management, and integrative development planning. It is argued that, through the ECP approach, the sustainability and the quality of life in rural villages will be re-established and revitalized and, at the same time, their historical physical characteristics can be conserved.;To make the ECP approach effective it must meet planning challenges which are also discussed. These challenges are addressed through planning recommendations applied at national, regional, and local levels. |
