Claudia Isabelle Montero is an MPhil student, studying History at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She holds a Master's Degree in Architecture with specialization in Architectural Heritage Conservation from the University of the Philippines Diliman and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Her research interests include heritage conservation practice, heritage law, cultural heritage studies and urban history. As a licensed architect and a conservator of built heritage with applied experience in research documentation and condition assessment, Claudia advocates the preservation and conservation of historic resources in the Philippines.

The Role of History and Culture Towards Development, Control and Protection of Built Heritage: The Case of Manila, Philippines

In recent years, various sectors of society in the Philippines have been more mindful of the existence and values of buildings and spaces that were considered as historically and culturally significant. Of note, heritage’s resurgence emerged over issues arising from the destruction and demolition of architectural legacies and historic remainders in the country, particularly in the historic and colonial capital city, Manila. This research project aims to examine the history and culture of heritage organizations, so as to grasp their foundation and evolution. Using primary sources such as government reports, bulletins, maps and letters of correspondence, the project also expects to understand how the city evolved under pressures of completely distinctive motivations which also stipulated a range of factors that influenced the city’s form and so what is its historic built layers.