Placemaking as a Living Heritage: The Role of Balinese Vernacular Architecture in Sustaining Cultural Identity - A Case Study of Tumbu Village, Karangasem

Abstract

This study examines placemaking as a form of living heritage preservation within the vernacular architectural context of Tumbu Village, Karangasem, Bali. Employing a qualitative exploratory approach and case study method, the research demonstrates how the local community shapes space through customary values, Hindu-Balinese spirituality, and adaptation to contemporary needs. Core principles such as the Tri Mandala zoning system, the use of local materials, and participatory practices like a tegen, serve as the foundation for creating spaces that are both functional and imbued with spiritual and social significance. Customary documents (awig-awig) and historical inscriptions reveal that these spatial practices have been sustained across generations through deeply embedded socio-cultural structures. The findings indicate that placemaking in Tumbu Village is a dynamic process rooted in local wisdom, participatory governance, and contextual adaptation, offering an alternative model for preserving traditional spaces in the face of modern challenges.