Heritage and Culture

This chapter explores the intricate relationship between culture, heritage, and globalization in Brunei Darussalam, with a specific focus on Kampong Ayer (KA), a historically significant water village. The analysis highlights the cultural and economic challenges faced by KA, rooted in its past as the epicenter of trade and the Bruneian Sultanate, which has been undermined by modernization and globalization since the 1960s.. While recent heritage tourism efforts have been made, challenges such as poverty and poor infrastructure remain obstacles to sustainable development. By referencing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 1, 8, 11, and 12, the chapter highlights how cultural heritage can guide urban revitalization. Using concepts such as cosmopolitanism, sense of place, placemaking, and place branding as part of developing the culture and heritage industry, it advocates for a comprehensive approach to preserving cultural identity while promoting local economic growth and community well-being, providing actionable strategies for policymakers and urban planners.