Weaving Cultural Sustainability in Urban Craft Economies and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Case of Kesi Silk Tapestry in Taiwan

Cultural sustainability can be closely associated with sustainable development due to its multidisciplinary nature as it integrates culture within sustainability frameworks. Culture as a common good, together with geographical proximity, can lead to the emergence of communities that share cultural identities and sustain traditions through the creation of cultural goods. Firms operating within urban creative sectors can demonstrate commercial performance, artistic merit, and societal impact which in turn can foster social cohesion, employment, and innovation. This research investigates cultural sustainability of kesi silk tapestry weaving through a case study of the last remaining master weaver in Taiwan. Framed within the concept of low-tech and high-touch industries, this research investigates how traditional weaving techniques can be reinterpreted to align with contemporary esthetics. Cosmopolitan cultural capital characterizes kesi customers, whose elevated taste, esthetic literacy and inconspicuous consumption form significant attributes that enhance social position. Commercialization of cultural products has not diminished the cultural value and artistic merit of kesi silk tapestry. By situating a traditional craft within the dynamics of cultural production in urban economies, the research offers valuable insights into how traditional practices can contribute to sustainable urban development by enhancing cultural sustainability, strengthening economic resilience, and preserving cultural heritage.