From that time till this activities and networking through-out the world ensued, largely through ICOMOS and then through some other regional groups that sprung up.  Close working relationships with the Bandung-based office of the Goethe Institute, the French Cultural Center, The British Council as well as several of the embassies in Jakarta lent expertise and authority to the work of  Bandung Heritage.  Eventually several other heritage associations came into being in Medan, Yogyakarta, Bali, and Jakarta.  This increased the national networks. 
An early opportunity was presented to the society by the local newspaper to write half a page for Page 3 on historic events, heritage issues, etc., each Saturday as a way of publicizing and sharing the common legacy of our city.  Further to this Bandung Heritage launched a program of monthly lectures on current and heritage topics open to the public.  These were held in city hotels that offered their meeting space and coffee free of charge as a way of showing their support for heritage society goals. 

 

What developed most importantly was the credibility of the group in the eyes of residents and government officials alike.  The city administration has taken up some of the issues that most concern heritage in Bandung, and at this point, some 20 years after its founding, there is a rare development planning meeting that does not include an invitation to our society.

 

In concrete ways Bandung Heritage has enhanced the city with several building restorations, such as the monument to Indonesia Menggugat, the Galeri Kita building, the NISP Bank Branch , and Bandung Lautan Api Heritage Trail.

Background
The Paguyuban Pelestarian Budaya Bandung or Bandung Heritage was born from the initiative of residents from many disciplines, professionals and backgrounds.  They were brought together by their pride in the city and concern for its preservation.  The society is not dogmatic and its only core belief is that the ‘identities of the city must be preserved and developed’.  In this is the recognition that in any place there are specific characteristics that differentiate it from other places…this stems from  local ethnic practices, natural environment and its monuments and sites.  The remains of the city’s historic past as well as the spirit of its current residents is what is worth preserving.
The conservation of a country’s culture has many uses as it faces inevitable development, and ramifications to national resilience in the face of globalization.  Conservation is not defined as anti-development, but merely the ‘management of change.’

The remains of history come from many sources, technical, architectural, dance, literature, traditional ceremonies and observances, cuisine, fashion, etc. In creating a plan for conservation of the city, members of the society work as volunteers in line with their individual interest and time constraints.  Activities of the group include working with government officials as well as private businesses and residents both in the city, in the province and overseas.

The development pressures described above have brought about an ever-closer partnership between the city administration and Bandung Heritage.  This is due in part to increased understanding of the role of tourism to city coffers, as well as public awareness of the beauty of their special city.  Residents who wish to renovate or develop their heritage buildings are requested by the city to meet with the Bandung Heritage members and obtain a written recommendation on their proposed changes. It is especially at this time that owners may hear the history of their building and district and its relevance to the other people in the city.  Society members who are architects can assist the owner to find solutions to not only provide more space or convenience, but at the same time conserve the identity of the building as it plays its heritage role in the city.  The heritage society and consulting members refuse money for these services in the interest of neutrality and credibility. 

Further supporting the relationship between the city government and the heritage society, the city tourism office is sponsoring a new city ordinance on heritage conservation in Bandung.  For this they have asked a team in the society to work with them to make this ordinance.  It is here that the role of Bandung Heritage in the development and monitoring efforts can be employed to assure that precious assets may be recognized and sustained for the city. 

Not only does this cooperation ensure that internationally recognized standards, heritage philosophy and practice are the basis for a heritage ordinance in the city, the relationship also invites the opportunity to instill in city officials the opportunities that heritage conservation can make for a city’s development.  Heritage input into development of the city also demonstrates how interwoven the aspects of heritage and city life are, and how bureaucrats charged with the responsibilities of safe-guarding the legacy of the past can work to protect, maintain both the built heritage and the movable heritage that strengthen and enrich the life of a city.  For this the issues of synchronization and coordination are required so that the perceptions of the bureaucrats and their authority as government officials are always in line with legal conditions.
Fundamental to the solution of city problems the substance of heritage conservation can be used to distil and complete the laws regarding historic buildings and sites, moveable and intangible heritage to help move the thought processes to creating identity of place not only for Bandung but for other Indonesian cities as well.

Bibliography
•    Bandung: Beeld van een Stad, Voskuil, RPGA, Nederland: Asia Maier, 1996, ISBN: 90-74861-05-9,
•    Tinjauan Kelengkapan Subtansi Peraturan Perundang-undangan untuk Pelestarian Bangunan Bersejarah (kasus Studi Kota Bandung), Yulia Dewita, 1997
•    Konsep Penerapan Insetif dan Disinsentif untuk Pelestarian Bangunan (kasus Studi : Kota Bandung), Jana Halida Uno, 1998
•    Daftar Bangunan Bersejarah Kota Bandung, Bandung Heritage, Dibyo Hartono, 1997
•    Sejarah Kota-kota lama di Jawa Barat, Nina H.Lubis,Jatinangor, Algaprint, 2000
•    Wajah Bandoeng Tempo Doeloe, Kunto Haryoto, Badung: Granesia, 1985
•    Naskah Akademik, Draft Penyusunan Perda tentang Bandunan bersejarah Kota Bandung, Bandung Heritage, Dinas Pariwisata Kota Bandung, 2006
•    Album Bandoeng Tempo Doloe, Sudarsono Katam, Lulus Abadi, Nav Press Indonesia, 2005 ISBN: 979-98946-8-9
•    Makalah Presentasi Sosialisasi Pelestarian, pengembangan dan Pemanfaatan Tinggalan Budaya di Jawa Barat, DR. Harastoeti DH.,Hotel Papandayan 24 April 2007

Acknowledgemnts

•    Mrs. Frances B. Affandy, Chairman of ICOMOS Indonesia
•    DR. Harastoeti DH. Chairman of Bandung Heritage Society