Educational Strategies for Digital Documentation in Southeast Asian World Heritage Cities: Implementing the HUL Approach

Abstract. This study addresses the gap between rapid digital documentation adoption and inadequate educational and institutional frameworks in Southeast Asian World Heritage cities. Integrating UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) Recommendations with digital documentation technologies, this research analyzes case studies from Huế, Ayutthaya, George Town, and Vigan. Findings reveal disparities in local capacities and institutional maturity primarily due to dependency on external expertise and short-term interventions. Consequently, the study advocates structured educational curricula, robust institutional frameworks, certification systems, dedicated regional training institutions, and international collaboration networks to ensure sustainable, locally driven heritage management. This approach fosters resilience, empowering local communities through comprehensive education, adaptive governance, and sustainable preservation aligned with HUL principles.