A Comparative Analysis of Traditional Shophouse and its Subsequent Diffusion in Southeast Asia

The tangible and intangible features, also combinedly denoted as the character-defining elements, is embeded from the value of cultural resources, shaping the uniqueness of an area. Despite the fact that the cultural heritage makes a place significant and imparts its distintive character, it is also necessary to look for its basis and its influence on the local community. However, uptill now no specific elements are listed to analyse them. The developmental process of urban settlement in Southeast Asia has been displaying a diversiï¬ ed hybrid tendency from the rise of Maritime Silk Road till now, following the globalizational impacts of economic, cultural, political, technological aspects mainly. This has resulted in cultutal fusion, which seems to weaken the cultural boundary of regions and times all over the world, along with a gradual loss of urban or architectural characteristics. During this process of cultural fusion it is difï¬ cult to recognize the commonness and individuality between local and foreign culture to arouse regional identities and integrate foreign advanced civilizations.