Application of Information and Communication Technology Promoting Sustainable Development of the World Heritage Site

这项研究的重点是适用的信息和通信技术（ICT）的重要性，以促进区域发展的世界遗产地琅勃拉邦，老挝人民民主共和国。老挝琅勃拉邦镇自1995年被列入世界遗产名录以来，旅游业的发展对该镇产生了积极和消极的影响。琅勃拉邦有必要促进可持续发展的政策和计划，以便为当地社区利用遗产的价值。在琅勃拉邦进行的需求评估确定了可以引进信息技术并促进区域发展的五个主要领域：1）开发和管理数据库系统; 2）测试各机构之间的Wi-Fi网络; 3）开发和管理网站; 4）建立和发展信息和通信技术中心; 5）地方人力资源开发。根据五个方面的需求，与教科文组织和La Maison du Patrimoine（地方政府机构）合作，在琅勃拉邦规划和实施了具体活动。东京工业大学的研究团队还与当地的ICT团队一起进行了关键任务数据库开发和互联网服务器设置的技术培训。因此，建立了遗产数据库，并在当地专业人员中广泛使用。随着琅勃拉邦第一个信息和通信技术中心的发展，重要和有用的数据得到了传播。在本研究项目的最后一年，在琅勃拉邦举行了地方研讨会，并在研讨会期间进行了积极的讨论和评估。此外，在各种国际会议上传播了研究成果，如世界遗产城市会议（俄罗斯，10月），日本国际开发学会（冲绳，11月），国际电气协会（12月，万象），国际和比较教育学会（纽约，3月）

This research focused on the importance of applicable information and communication technology (ICT) to promote regional development in the world heritage site of Luang Prabang, Lao, PDR. Expansion of tourism in the town of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, since the inscription to the World Heritage List in 1995 has been making impacts on the town in both positive and negative ways. Luang Prabang has necessity to promote policies and programs for sustainable development in order to utilize the value of the heritage for the local community. Needs assessment conducted in Luang Prabang identified five major areas that information technology could be introduced and contributing regional development: 1) development and management of database system; 2) testing of Wi-Fi network among institutions; 3) development and management of website; 4) establishment and development of ICT center; and 5) local human resources development. Based on five areas of needs, specific activities are planned and implemented in Luang Prabang in collaboration with UNESCO and La Maison du Patrimoine (local government institution). Tokyo Tech research team also conducted technical trainings for mission-critical database development and setup of Internet server together with local ICT team. As a result, heritage database was established and used widely among local professionals. With the development of first ICT center in Luang Prabang, important and useful data has been disseminated. In the final year of this research project, local symposium was held in Luang Prabang and active discussion and evaluation took place during the symposium. Further, research outcome was disseminated at the various international conferences such as Conference on World Heritage Cities (Russia, Oct.), Japan Society of International Development (Okinawa, Nov.), International Electric Association (Vientiane, Dec.), International and Comparative Education Society (New York, Mar.)