from New York Times
Where Pagodas Draw Tourists, Concrete Is Unwelcome
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A curious development in heritage preservation in Luang Prabang - the former royal capital of Laos - whereby the traditional is associated with being poor. Hence, as the economical situation improves, the demand for new architectural materials (especially concrete building) increases, which is at odds with the stipulations for maintaining the site on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also points to a larger problem of misaligned perspectives:

"For many residents, the outsiders' passion for the old is misplaced, a cultural misunderstanding that refuses to respect their desire to spend a newfound wealth that has been a long time coming."

And especially problematic when the dichotomy is drawn between locals and foreigners - with the latter seen as "impeding" the material progress of the local community in the name of heritage preservation (and probably with good intentions).