Reconstructing UNESCO Heritage: A Multidimensional Policy for Theodoor Van Erp’s Chattra on Borobudur’s Main Stupa
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The article presents policy recommendations as a follow-up to the policy study on the installation of the Chattra on the Main Stupa of Borobudur Temple. The history of restoration shows that the Chattra was once reconstructed by Theodoor van Erp (1907–1911) but was removed due to concerns over authenticity, while the discourse on its reinstatement resurfaced in 2008 and was revived in 2023 through an initiative by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. A BRIN study (2023) formulated three policy alternatives: postponing the installation, proceeding through technocratic and bureaucratic approaches, or reconstructing Van Erp’s Chattra by increasing the authenticity of its material from 42% to 87.5%. The analysis indicates the need for reconstruction based on the method of anastylosis, the application of a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), and the preparation of a Chattra design consistent with Borobudur’s iconography. Furthermore, public participation, sustainable maintenance strategies, and environmental impact analysis must be strengthened to ensure that the installation of the Chattra balances spiritual values, heritage conservation, and tourism sustainability.
