A Methodology to Evaluate the Transformation of Traditional Balinese Houses as a Consequence of Tourism

Some traditional houses in Bali have been transformed for tourist facilities. As a cultural phenomenon, the transformation involves an interrelated complexity of aspects in the houses. There is a need for a holistic approach to contextualize the complexity of the impact of tourism on the transformation. Unfortunately, an instrument to identify the textures of the transformation, as a fundamental phase to explore the complexity, is not yet available. The objective of this study is to develop an inclusive methodology based on criteria as the fundamental stage in the multiple holistic method developed. Using visual documentations of 749 traditional houses from four villages, the findings show that the transformation has been considered in various ways, both as the additive sum of the specific changes, and as a hierarchy of cultural traditions and activities. It was a process generally found to begin at the front part of the houses, followed by the backyard and pavilions, and in the final phase at the family temple. This method was able to systematically assess the physical configuration of the transformed house.

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