Contextualism is not a war won. It is never won with finality.

The city form always demands

vigilance. Not to be bothered by the loss of past buildings, big and small, is to have no sense
of community beyond our immediate needs and pleasures. To kill is not to heal. To destroy is
never a wise way to love. (Kostof,1976)

History of the architectural conservation movement

As a movement, architectural conservation in general, and the preservation of ancient structures
specifically, gained momentum during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a response
to Modernism and its corresponding architectural perspective, which eschewed sentimental
attachment to old buildings and structures in favor of technological and architectural progress and
change.
The growth of the architectural conservation movement took place at a time of significant
archaeological discovery and scientific advancement. Those educated in the field began to see
various examples of architecture as either being "correct" or "incorrect". [3] Because of this, two
schools of thought began to emerge within the field of building conservation.
Restoration was the conservationist school of thought that believed historic buildings could be
improved, and sometimes even completed, using current day materials, design, and techniques.
One of the most ardent supporters of this school of thought in the 19th century was the French
architect Eugne Viollet-le-Duc. Victorian restoration of medieval churches was widespread in
England and elsewhere, with results that were deplored at the time by William Morris and are now
widely regretted. Viollet-le-Duc's "restorations" frequently combined historical fact with creative
modification.
Preservation/Conservation were used interchangeably to refer to the architectural school of
thought that either encouraged measures that would protect and maintain buildings in their current
state, or would prevent further damage and deterioration to them. This school of thought saw the
original design of old buildings as correct in and of themselves. Two of the main proponents of
preservation and conservation in the 19th century were art critic John Ruskin and artist William
Morris. Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) was founded by Morris, Philip
Webb and others in 1877.
Venice charter 1964
Australia Burra Charter 1979

History of the Indian archaeology:

The first systematic research into India's history was conducted by the Asiatic Society, which was
founded by the British Indologist William Jones on January 15, 1784. Based in Calcutta, the
society promoted the study of ancient Sanskrit and Persian texts and published an annual journal
titled Asiatic Researches. Notable among its early members was Charles Wilkins who published
the first English translation of the Bhagavad Gita in 1785 with the patronage of the then GovernorGeneral of India,Warren Hastings. However, the most important of the society's achievements
was the decipherment of the Brahmi script byJames Prinsep in 1837. This successful
decipherment inaugurated the study of Indian palaeography.

Alexander Cunningham

Armed with the knowledge of Brahmi, Alexander Cunningham, a protg of Prinsep, carried out a
detailed survey of the Buddhist monuments which lasted for over half a century. Inspired by early
amateur archaeologists like the Italian military officer, Jean-Baptiste Ventura, Cunningham
excavated stupas across the length and breadth of India. While Cunningham funded many of his
early excavations himself, in the long run, he realised the need for a permanent body to oversee
archaeological excavations and the conservation of Indian monuments and used his stature and
influence in India to lobby for an archaeological survey. While his attempt in 1848 did not meet
with success, the Archaeological Survey of India was eventually formed in 1861 by a statute
passed into law by Lord Canning with Cunningham as the first Archaeological Surveyor.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier
organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance
is the prime concern of the ASI. Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as
per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It
also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.

CONSERVATION Notes based on ICOMOS guidelines

1. Conservation means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its
cultural significance. (Australia Burra Charter).
2. All efforts designed to understand cultural heritage, know its history and meaning,
ensure its material safeguard and, as required, its presentation, restoration and
enhancement. (Cultural heritage is understood to include monuments, groups of
buildings and sites of cultural value as defined in article one of the World Heritage
Convention). (Nara Conference on Authenticity in Relation to the World Heritage
Convention, held at Nara, Japan, from 1-6 November 1994)
3. Concerned with the transmission of cultural heritage, with its significant values
intact and accessible to the greatest degree possible.(Recording, Documentation
and Information Management for Historic Places - Guiding Principles; Getty
Conservation Institute, 2008).
4. The profession devoted to the preservation of cultural property for the future.
Conservation activities include examination, documentation, treatment, and
preventive care, supported by research and education. (In AIC Definitions of
conservation terminology - http://aic.stanford.edu/geninfo/defin.html)
5. All activities involved in the protection and retention of heritage resources.
Includes the study, protection, development, administration, maintenance and
interpretation of heritage resources, whether they are objects, buildings or
structures, or environments. Often used interchangeably with preservation
("heritage conservation" in Canada is "historic preservation" in the U.S.). It is also
used to refer to a highly specialized field of activity that normally deals with the
protection of objects in museum collections: a CONSERVATOR is the person who is
responsible for the care and treatment of objects. (In Heritage BC http://www.heritagebc.ca/resources/guides-tips-1/terms-definitions)
6. All actions or processes that are aimed at safeguarding the character-defining
elements of a cultural resource so as to retain its heritage value and extend its
physical life. This may involve "Preservation", "Rehabilitation", "Restoration", or a
combination of these actions or processes. Reconstruction or reconstitution of a
disappeared cultural resource is not considered conservation (In Parks Canada
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/pc/guide/nldclpc-sgchpc/sec1/page1b_e.asp#tphp)
7. All measures and actions aimed at safeguarding tangible cultural heritage while
ensuring its accessibility to present and future generations. Conservation embraces
preventive conservation, remedial conservation and restoration. All measures and
actions should respect the significance and the physical properties of the cultural
heritage item. (In ICOM-CC, 2008)

8. Refers to the discipline involving treatment, preventive care, and research directed
toward the long-term safekeeping of cultural and natural heritage. (In Getty
Research - Art & Architecture Thesaurus Online)
9. Means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its Natural,
Indigenous and Cultural significance. It includes protection, maintenance and
monitoring. According to circumstance it may involve preservation, restoration,
reconstruction, reinstatement oradaptation and will be commonly a combination of
more than one of these. For Indigenous communities, it can include conserving
relationships between people and place that embrace spiritual as well as historical
values, and protecting Aboriginal Sites in order to protect their significance to
people. (In Australia Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan 2003)
10. All actions aimed at the safeguarding of cultural property for the future. The
purpose of conservation is to study, record, retain and restore the culturally
significant qualities of the cultural property as embodied in its physical and
chemical nature, with the least po ssible intervention. Con servation includes the
follow ing: examination, docume ntation, preventive conservation, reservation,
treatment, restoration and reconstruction. (In "Code of Ethics" - Canadian
Association for Conservation of Cultural Property and the Canadian Association of
Professional Conservators, 2000)
11. Conservation implies keeping in safety or preserving the existing state of a
heritage resource from destruction or change, i.e., the action taken to prevent
decay and to prolong life (Feilden, 1982: 3). Another definition of conservation is
broader. This is the Australia Burra Charter definition which is "all the processes of
looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance" (Article 1.4). The
general concept of conservation implies various types of treatments aimed at
safeguarding buildings, sites or historic towns; these include management,
maintenance,repair, consolidation, reinforcement. Preventive Conservation consists
of indirect action to retard deterioration and prevent damage by creating optimal
conservation conditions as far as is compatible with its social use. (In:
Conservation Management Planning: Putting Theory into Practice. The Case of
Joya de Cern, El Salvator Getty Conservation Institute 2009)

Definitions
a)

Adaptation is modifying a space to suit the existing use or a proposed use

b)

Adaptive re-use:

1. Implies the recycling of an older structure often for a new function. Extensive
restoration or rehabilitation of both the interior and exterior is usually involved. (In
The Heritage Canada Foundation - Preservation Strategy No.3, 1983).
2. Using an old building for a new purpose or function. Sometimes involves extensive
alteration to both the exterior and interior. (In Heritage BC http://www.heritagebc.ca/resources/guides-tips-1/terms-definitions)
3. The conversion of outmoded or unused structures, such as buildings of historic
value, and objects, such as software, to new uses or application in new
contexts. (In Getty Research - Art & Architecture Thesaurus Online)
c)

Compatible use : Compatible use means a use that respects the cultural
significance of a place. Such a use involves no, or minimal, impact on cultural
significance. It means a use that involves no change to the significant fabric or
attributes, changes, which are substantially reversible, or changes which
require minimal impact.

d)

Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual

value for past, present or future generations. Cultural significance is embodied
in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records,
related places and related objects.Places may have a range of values for
different individuals or groups. Doumentation: The collection and compilation of
different types of records, that should complement each other, in order to
achieve an assessment of a group of buildings or site. It is the assembly,
analysis and interpretation of recorded data.

e)

Gentrify: To resettle existing deteriorated dwellings in urban areas, following

rehabilitation or renovation, with occupants having higher income levels than
the original ones.

f)

Heritage means any asset or group of assets, natural or cultural, tangible or

intangible, that a community recognizes for its value as a witness to history and
memory, while emphasizing the need to safeguard, to protect, to adopt, to promote
and to disseminate such heritage.

g)

Heritage building means and includes any building of one or more premises or
any part thereof and/or structure and/or artifact which requires conservation and /
or preservation for historical and / or architectural and / or artisanary and /or
aesthetic and/or cultural and/or environmental and/or ecological purpose and
includes such portion of land adjoining such building or part thereof as may be
required for fencing or covering or in any manner preserving the historical and/or
architectural and/or aesthetic and/or cultural value of such building.

h)

Heritage Precincts means and includes any space that requires conservation
and /or preservation for historical and / or architectural and/or aesthetic and/or
cultural and/or environmental and/or ecological purpose. Walls or other boundaries
of a particular area or place or building or may enclose such space by an imaginary
line drawn around it.

i)

Historic buildings: Buildings that are significant in the history of architecture,

that incorporate significant architectural features, or that played significant
historic roles in local cultural or social development; may or may not be
officially designated.

j)

Historic gardens: Gardens designed to reflect a period in history, either in form

or through the use of heirloom plants.

k)

Cultural heritage includes (In UNESCO's Convention concerning the

Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972)
monuments : architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting,
elements or structures of an archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and

combinations of features, which are of outstanding universal value from the point
of view of history, art or science;
groups of buildings : groups of separate or connected buildings which, because of
their architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of
outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science ;
sites : works of man or the combined works of nature and of man, and areas
including archaeological sites which are of outstanding universal value from the
historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological points of view.

1. The belief systems, values, philosophical systems, knowledge, behaviors, customs,

arts, history, experience, languages, social relationships, institutions, and material
goods and creations belonging to a group of people and transmitted from one
generation to another. The group of people or society may be bound together by
race, age, ethnicity, language, national origin, religion, or other social categories or
groupings. (In Getty Research - Art & Architecture Thesaurus Online)
2. Cultural heritage includes all the properties that remain from past generations.
Such properties demonstrate human beings' development throughtout history, by
studying how cultural identity and cultural path are recognized and by creating a
means of learning from the past. (In Article 1 of the 1988 Constitution of the
Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization).
l)

Historic districts: Districts or areas designated by a governing body as being

culturally or historically significant, or embodying distinctive characteristics of a
period, method of construction, or inhabitants.
A geographically definable area with a significant concentration of buildings,
structures, sites, spaces or objects unified by past events, physical development,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, sense of cohesiveness or related historic
and aesthetic associations.

m)

The intangible cultural heritage means the practices, representations, expressions,

knowledge, skills as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces
associated therewith that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals
recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage,
transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities
and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their
history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting
respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. For the purposes of this
Convention, consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage
as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as
with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and
individuals, and of sustainable development.

The intangible cultural heritage, may be in the form of

(a) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the

intangible cultural heritage;
(b) performing arts;
(c) social practices, rituals and festive events;
(d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
(e) traditional craftsmanship.

n)

Integrity: The authenticity of a property's historic identity, evidenced by the

survival of physical characteristics that existed during the property's historic or
prehistoric period.

o)

Intervention: Any action, other than demolition or destruction, that results in a

physical change to an element of a historic place.

p)

Minimal intervention: The approach which allows functional goals to be met with
the least physical intervention.

q)

Preservation means and includes maintaining the fabric of a place in its existing
state and retarding deterioration.

r)

Restoration means and includes returning the existing fabric of a place to a

known earlier state by removing accretions or by reassembling existing
components without introducing new materials. (Australia Burra Charter)

The process of restoration is a highly specialized operation. Its aim is to preserve and
reveal the aesthetic and historic value of the monument and is based on respect for
original material and authentic documents. It must stop at the point where conjecture
begins, and in this case moreover any extra work which is indispensable must be
distinct from the architectural composition and must bear a contemporary stamp. The
restoration in any case must be preceded and followed by an archaeological and
historical

study

of

the

monument.

(In International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and
Sites - The Venice Charter- 1964)
s)

Reconstitution Describes the piece-by-piece rebuilding of a structure's original

components either in the original location or a new site. May be required when
a structure lacks integrity even though its original components are sound. One
of the most common reasons for reconstitution is land use change which
requires the relocation of a structure.

t)

Reconstruction means and includes returning a place as nearly as possible to

a known earlier state and distinguished by the introduction of materials (new or
old) into the fabric.

This shall not include either recreation or conjectural

reconstruction. It generally involves the re-creation of a non-existent building on its

original site. Based upon historical, literary, graphic and pictorial as well as
archaeological evidence, a replica of the original is built using both modern and/or
traditional methods of construction.
u)

Rehabilitation: The process of modifying an historic building to extend its useful

life through alterations and repairs, while preserving the important architectural,
cultural and historical features. It emphasizes the retention and repair of historic
materials, but more latitude is provided for replacement because it is assumed the
property is more deteriorated prior to work.

v)

Replacement: A level of intervention for historic properties that is used when

character-defining features are extensively deteriorated or missing, which
results in the replacement of the feature(s) based on documentary or physical
evidence and the replacement is compatible with the historic property.

w)

Revitalisation: A process of economic, social and cultural redevelopment of a

civic area or neighbourhood. Heritage area revitalization concentrates on
historic buildings and other heritage resources to achieve economic, social and
cultural objectives.

x)

Setting: The physical environment of a historic property. It means the area around
a place, which may include its visual catchment. It means the natural and/or the
man-made contexts of the heritage site that influences the static or dynamic way
these areas are perceived, experienced and enjoyed or linked to them socially,
culturally or economically.

y)

Social value: Range of qualities for a place such as spiritual, traditional,

economic, political, or national qualities which are valued by the majority or
minority group of that place. Social values include contemporary cultural
values.

z)

Streetscape: The distinguishing character of a particular street which is created by

its width, degree of curvature, paving materials, design of street furniture, forms of
surrounding buildings, and the presence of vegetation along the curb or sidewalk.

PROVISIONS OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION MODEL REGULATIONS:

CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE SITES
Conservation of heritage sites may include buildings, artifacts, structures, areas and
precincts of historic, aesthetic, architectural, cultural or environmentally significant nature
(heritage buildings and heritage precincts), natural feature areas of environmental significance
or sites of scenic beauty.
RESTRICTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT / RE-DEVELOPMENT / REPAIRS ETC.
(i)

No development or redevelopment or engineering operation or additions /

alterations, repairs, renovations including painting of the building, replacement of
special features or plastering or demolition of any part thereof of the said listed
buildings or listed precincts or listed natural feature areas shall be allowed except
with the prior permission of Commissioner, Municipal Corporation /Vice
Chairman, Development Authority. Before granting such permission, the agency
concerned shall consult the Heritage Conservation Committee to be appointed by
the State Government and shall act in according with the advice of the Heritage
Conservation Committee.

(ii)

Provided that, before granting any permission for demolition or major alterations /
additions to listed buildings (or buildings within listed streets or precincts), or
construction at any listed natural features, or alteration of boundaries of any listed
natural feature areas, objections and suggestions from the public shall be invited
and shall be considered by the Heritage Conservation Committee.

(iii)

Provided that, only in exceptional cases, for reasons to be recorded in writing, the
Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice Chairman, Development Authority
may refer the matter back to the Heritage Conservation Committee for
reconsideration.
However, the decision of the Heritage Conservation Committee after such

reconsideration shall be final and binding.

PREPARATION OF LIST OF HERITAGE SITES INCLUDING HERITAGE
BUILDINGS, HERITAGE PRECINCTS AND LISTED NATURAL FEATURE
AREAS

The list of heritage sites including Heritage Buildings, Heritage Precincts and listed
Natural Features Areas is to be prepared and supplemented by the Commissioner, Municipal
Corporation / Vice- Chairman, Development Authority on the advice of the Heritage
Conservation Committee. Before being finalized, objections and suggestions of the public are
to be invited and considered. The said list to which the regulation applies shall not form part
of this regulation for the purpose of Building Bye-laws. The list may be supplemented from
time to time by Government on receipt of proposal from the agency concerned or by
Government suo moto provided that before the list is supplemented, objections and
suggestions from the public be invited and duly considered by the Commissioner, Municipal
Corporation/Vice- Chairman Development Authority/and/or State Government and / or the
Heritage Conservation Committee.
When a building or group of buildings or natural feature areas are listed it would
automatically mean (unless otherwise indicated) that the entire property including its entire
compound / plot boundary along with all the subsidiary structures and artifacts, etc. within the
compound/plot boundary, etc. shall form part of list.
ALTERATION / MODIFICATION / RELAXATION IN DEVELOPMENT NORMS
On the advice of the said Heritage Conservation Committee to be appointed by the
Government and for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Commissioner, Municipal
Corporation / Vice Chairman, Development Authority shall follow the procedure as per
Development Authority Act, to alter, modify or relax the Development Control Norms
prescribed in the Master Plan, if required, for the conservation or preservation or retention of
historic or aesthetic or cultural or architectural or environmental quality of any heritage site.
8.7

HERITAGE PRECINCTS / NATURAL FEATURE AREAS

In cases of streets, precincts, areas and (where deemed necessary by the Heritage

Conservation Committee) natural feature areas notified, development permissions shall be

granted in accordance with the special separate regulation prescribed for respective streets,
precincts / natural feature areas which shall be framed by the Commissioner Municipal
Corporation/ Vice- Chairman, Development Authority on the advice of the Heritage
Conservation Committee.

Before finalizing the special separate regulations for precincts, streets, natural features,
areas, the draft of the same shall be published in the official gazette and in leading newspapers
for the purpose of inviting objections and suggestions from the public. All objections and
suggestions received within a period of 30 days from the date of publication in the official
gazette shall be considered by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / Vice- Chairman,
Development Authority / Heritage Conservation Committee.
After consideration of the above suggestions and objections, the agency concerned,
acting on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee shall modify (if necessary) the
aforesaid draft separate regulations for streets, precincts, areas and natural features and
forward the same to Government for notification.

INCENTIVE USES FOR HERITAGE BUILDINGS

In cases of buildings located in non-commercial use zones included in the Heritage
Conservation List, if the owner / owners agree to maintain the listed heritage building as it is
in the existing state and to preserve its heritage state with due repairs and the owner / owners /
lessees give a written undertaking to that effect, the owner / owners / lessees may be allowed
with the approval of the Heritage Conservation Committee within permissible use zone to
convert part or whole thereof of the non-commercial area within such a heritage building to
commercial/office use/hotel. Provided that if the heritage building is not maintained suitably
or if the heritage value of the building is spoiled in any manner, the commercial / office / hotel
use shall be disallowed.
MAINTAINING SKYLINE AND ARCHITECTURAL HARMONY
After the guidelines are framed, buildings within heritage precincts or in the vicinity of
heritage sites shall maintain the skyline in the precinct and follow the architectural style
(without any high-rise or multi-storeyed development) as may be existing in the surrounding
area, so as not to diminish or destroy the value and beauty of or the view from the said
heritage sites. The development within the precinct or in the vicinity of heritage sites shall be
in accordance with the guidelines framed by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / ViceChairman, Development Authority on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee or

separate regulations / guidelines, if any, prescribed for respective zones by Municipal

Corporation / Development Authority.
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
Restrictions existing as imposed under covenants, terms and conditions on the
leasehold plots either by the State Government or by Municipal Corporation of the city/town
or by Development Authority shall continue to be imposed in addition to Development Control
Regulations.

However, in case of any conflict with the heritage preservation

interest/environmental conservation, this Heritage Regulation shall prevail.

GRADING OF THE LISTED BUILDINGS / LISTED PRECINCTS
Listed Heritage Buildings / Listed Heritage Precincts may be graded into three
categories. The definition of these and basic guidelines for development permissions are as
follows:
Listing does not prevent change of ownership or usage. However, change of use of
such Listed Heritage Building / Listed Precincts is not permitted without the prior approval of
the Heritage Conservation Committee. Use should be in harmony with the said listed heritage
site.
Grade-I
(A) Definition

Grade-II

Grade-III

Heritage Grade-I comprises Heritage Grade-II (A&B) Heritage

buildings and precincts of comprises of buildings and comprises
national

or

importance,

Grade-III
building

and

historic precincts of regional or precincts of importance for

embodying local importance possessing townscape;

excellence in architectural special

architectural

that

evoke

or architectural, aesthetic, or

style, design, technology aesthetic merit, or cultural sociological interest through

and material usage and/or or

historical

significance not as much as in Heritage

aesthetics; they may be though of a lower scale than Grade-II. These contribute
associated

with

great Heritage Grade-I. They are to determine the character

historic event, personality, local

movement

or

landmarks,

which of the locality and can be

institution. contribute to the image and representative of lifestyle of

They have been and are the identity of the region. They a particular community or
prime landmarks of the may be the work of master region and may also be
region.

craftsmen or may be models distinguished by setting , or

All natural sites shall fall of

within Grade-I.

proportion

and special character of the

ornamentation or designed faade and uniformity of

to suit a particular climate.

height, width and scale.

(B) Objective:
Heritage Grade-I richly

Heritage Grade-II deserves Heritage Grade-II deserves

deserves careful

intelligent conservation.

intelligent

preservation.

conservation

(though on a lesser scale

than Grade-II and special
protection

to

unique

features and attributes).

(C) Scope for Changes:
No

interventions

be Grade-II(A):

Internal Internal

changes

and

permitted either on exterior changes and adaptive re-use adaptive re-use may by and
or interior of the heritage may

by

and

large

be large be allowed. Changes

building or natural features allowed but subject to strict can include extensions and
unless it is necessary in the scrutiny.
interest

of

strengthening taken

Care would be additional buildings in the

to

ensure

the same plot or compound.

and prolonging the life of conservation of all special However,

any

changes

the buildings/or precincts or aspects for which it is should be such that they are
any part or features thereof. included in Heritage Grade- in harmony with and should
For this purpose, absolutely II.
essential

and

be such that they do not

minimum Grade-II(B): In addition to detract from the existing

changes would be allowed the above, extension or heritage building/precinct.

and

they

conformity
original.

must
with

be

in additional building in the

the same plot or compound
could

in

certain

circumstances, be allowed
provided that the extension /
additional building is in
harmony with (and does not
detract from) the existing
heritage

building(s)

or

precincts especially in terms

of height and faade.

(D) Procedure:
Development

permission Development

permission Development permission for

for the changes would be for the changes would be changes would be given on
given on the advice of the given on the advice of the the advice of the Heritage
Heritage

Conservation Heritage

Conservation Conservation Committee.

Committee.
Committee.
(E) Vistas / Surrounding
Development:
All development in areas All development in areas All development in areas
surrounding

Heritage surrounding

Heritage surrounding

Heritage

Grade-I shall be regulated Grade-II shall be regulated Grade-III shall be regulated

and

controlled,

ensuring and

controlled,

ensuring and controlled, ensuring that

that it does not mar the that it does not mar the it does not mar the grandeur
grandeur of, or view from grandeur of, or view from of, or view from Heritage
Heritage Grade-I.
8.13

Heritage Grade-II.

Grade-III.

OPINION OF THE HERITAGE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Nothing mentioned above should be deemed to confer a right on the owner / occupier
of the plot to demolish or reconstruct or make alterations to his heritage building /
buildings in a heritage precinct or on a natural heritage site if in the opinion of the
Heritage Conservation Committee, such demolition / reconstruction /alteration is
undesirable.

8.14

APPROVAL TO PRESEVE THE BEAUTY OF THE AREA

The Heritage Conservation Committee shall have the power to direct, especially in
areas designated by them, that the exterior design and height of buildings should have
their approval to preserve the beauty of the area.

8.15

SIGNS AND OUTDOOR DISPLAY STRUCTURES / INCLUDING STREET

FURNITURE ON HERITAGE SITES
Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman, Development Authority on
the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee shall frame regulations or
guidelines to regulate signs, outdoor display structures and street furniture on heritage
sites.

HERITAGE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

The terms of reference of the Committee shall inter alia be:
(i)
(ii)

(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)

(ix)
(x)

(xi)

8.17

to advice the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman,

Development Authority whether development permission is to be granted under
Building Bye-Laws No.8.3 and the conditions of permission (vide BBL No. 8);
to prepare a supplementary list of heritage sites, which include buildings artifacts,
structures, streets, areas, precincts of historic, aesthetic, architectural, cultural, or
environmental significance and a supplementary list of natural feature areas of
environmental significance, scenic beauty including but not restricted to sacred
groves, hills, hillocks, water bodies (and the areas adjoining the same), open areas,
wooded areas, points, walks, rides, bridle paths etc. to which this Building ByeLaw would apply.
To advise whether any relaxation, modification, alteration, or variance of any of the
Building Bye-laws;
To frame special regulations / guidelines for precincts and if necessary for natural
feature areas to advise the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman,
Development Authority regarding the same;
To advise whether to allow commercial / office/ hotel use in the (name the areas)
and when to terminate the same;
To advise the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman,
Development Authority in the operation of this Building Bye-law to regulate or
eliminate/erection of outside advertisements/bill boards/street furniture;
To recommend to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman
Development Authority guidelines to be adopted by those private parties or public /
government agencies who sponsor beautification schemes at heritage sites;
To prepare special designs and guidelines / publications for listed buildings, control
of height and essential faade characteristics such as maintenance of special types
of balconies and other heritage items of the buildings and to suggest suitable
designs adopting appropriate materials for replacement keeping the old form intact
to the extent possible.
To prepare guidelines relating to design elements and conservation principles to be
adhered to and to prepare other guidelines for the purposes of this Regulation;
To advise the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / Vice- Chairman,
Development Authority/ on any other issues as may be required from time to time
during course of scrutiny of development permissions and in overall interest of
heritage / conservation;
To appear before the Government either independently or through or on behalf of
the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / Vice-Chairman, Development
Authority in cases of Appeals under Development Authority/Municipal
Corporation Act in cases of listed buildings / heritage buildings and listed
precincts / heritage precincts and listed natural feature areas.

IMPLICATIONS OF LISTING AS HERITAGE BUILDINGS

The Regulations do not amount to any blanket prevention of demolition or of changes

to Heritage Buildings. The only requirement is to obtain clearance from Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman Development, Authority and Heritage Conservation
Committee from heritage point of view.

Practically conservation of a building involves: 1) Maintaining the essential character of the

building, 2) Preventing further deterioration, 3) Consolidating the fabric of the building, 4)
Restoring the building to original design and material, 5) Rehabilitating the building without
destroying its character, 6) Replacing missing significant features of the building, and 7)
Rebuilding severely damaged parts of the building.
Source:Fielden
Seven degrees of intervention
Prevention of deterioration
Preservation of the existing state
Consolidation of the fabric
Restoration
Rehabilitation
Reconstruction
Reproduction
Further references:
https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/heritage/external/!
publish/web/Conservation_Planning_Methodology.pdf
http://cpwd.gov.in/Publication/ConservationHertBuildings.pdf
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0003/000378/037868eb.pdf

Cities without a past tend to become cities without a future. Gautam Bhatia

Urban renewal
Urban renewal also known as urban regeneration or urban revitalization is a program of
redevelopment of specific urban areas for improvement and/or rehabilitation. It is usually
undertaken for areas with dilapidated buildings, outdated infrastructure or disused
neighbourhoods.
Urban Renewal Plan Contents:
An urban renewal plan is required to contain, among other things:

A description of each urban renewal project to be undertaken

A map and legal description of the urban renewal area.

An explanation of how the plan relates to local objectives, such as relevant objectives of
the comprehensive plan, target area plans and other public policy statements.

the project estimates and the financing plan

detailed land use plans and redevelopment proposals

public policy with respect to implementation of the renewal project

project monitoring system

e.g:Aga Khan Trust for Culture in public-private partnership for

regeneration of Humayuns Tomb-Nizamuddin Basti-Sundar
nursery area
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Delhi, India, 11 July 2007 - An agreement on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for

the revitalisation of the Nizamuddin district of Indias capital was signed today. To be
carried out by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Aga Khan Foundation in
partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India, the Central Public Works
Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the project will not only preserve
and rehabilitate landmark buildings in Nizamuddin, but work to improve living
standards for inhabitants of the area.
The project, which is expected to run from 2007 to 2012, will focus in three main
areas:

Conservation: Rehabilitation will be carried out on several cultural heritage

buildings in areas near Humayuns Tomb, Nizamuddin Basti and the Sundar
Nursery,
Urban Regeneration: The project includes proposals to carry out
environmental upgrading of the Nullah along the Basti, enhancement of the

parks/ open space within the Basti and the upgrading of the Sundar Nursery to
allow greater public access,
Socio-economic Development: In the Nizamuddin Basti, the project will work
to strengthen basic services in the three core areas of health, education and
environmental sanitation.

This historic PPP follows meetings between H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Honourable
Prime Minister of India, and His Highness the Aga Khan, starting in 2004. H.E. Dr.
Manmohan Singh also visited the Baghe Babur integrated conservation project being
implemented by the Trust in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Project builds on the restoration of the gardens surrounding Humayuns Tomb
that was undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and completed in 2003. The
project the first privately funded restoration of a World Heritage Site in India
brought together the joint efforts of the Trust and the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI), under the aegis of the National Culture Fund. The project revitalised the
gardens, pathways, fountains and water channels of the chahr-bgh, or four-part
paradise garden. Since its reopening, the garden has been a popular destination for
Delhi inhabitants and tourists alike, generating revenues that provide for its
maintenance costs.
The proposed Nizamuddin Area Development project will be similar to the Trusts
Azhar Park-Darb Al Ahmar Revitalisation Project in Cairo, where a derelict 30-hectare
site became a catalyst for urban regeneration as it was converted into a major urban
green space for Cairo. As the park was built, the broader area development project
carried out socio-economic projects in the neighbouring Darb al-Ahmar
neighbourhood, once one of the poorest areas of the city. These efforts now
encompass the restoration of landmark buildings in the neighbourhood, housing
rehabilitation, vocational training, health care and microfinance.

The Nizamuddin urban renewal initiative

-S H V E T A

M AT H U R a n d D E E T I R AY

MANY historic buildings for meeting specific functions initially came up in

isolated settings. These buildings reflect the skills, craftsmanship and traditions of
the people of those times. Over the years the communities which subsequently
settled around these monument complexes, forming the urban settlements that these
sites and their surroundings have come to be, constitute the living culture of these
spaces. The settlements evolved based on their relationship with these buildings,
their functions, and the needs and activities of the people residing in and around
them.
Today, however, the cultural context of the communities rarely features in decisions
about city development. Urban development has become synonymous with planned
interventions and policy frameworks designed to tackle urban growth, ensure

equitable distribution of land and enhance mobility. Cities are primarily seen as
engines of economic growth as people from peri-urban and rural areas are drawn to
the city in search of better livelihood options. Unfortunately, in an effort to compete
at the global level, cities in India are inadvertently snapping the link with their own
histories that have been so central in shaping their present form.
Nizamuddin is a significant area of Delhi best known for the shrine of Hazrat
Nizamuddin Auliya, a revered Sufi saint, and the world heritage site of Humayuns
Tomb. The area, inhabited since the 13th century, has seen a profusion of tomb
buildings in close proximity to the dargah. Apart from Humayuns Tomb,
Chausanth Khamba and Atgah Khans Tomb in the basti and the Sunderwala Burj
and Lakkadwala Burj in Sunder Nursery, are some other significant monuments in
the area. Sunder Nursery, formerly known as Azim Bagh, located along the historic
Grand Trunk road, was later developed by the British as a nursery for new
plantation at Lutyens Delhi in 1929. The nursery houses several plants that
represent the native region as well as exotic varieties brought in by various
travellers, especially the British.
The 700 year-old neighbourhood of Nizamuddin is one among the many neglected
settlements of the city that has outgrown its resources, its historic past and rich
cultural base hidden under the more apparent and visible lack of basic services, poor
infrastructure and overcrowding. The settlement, significant because of the Hazrat
Nizamuddin Dargah, receives thousands of pilgrims daily; yet it struggles for space,
sanitation and opportunity.
In 2007, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) initiated a process of community
engagement in the basti with the prime agenda of improving the quality of life of
the residents of this heritage zone a basic element of sustainable development. The
resident population of the basti, with a density of almost 70,000 people per square
kilometre, needed not just open spaces, access to good education and timely health
care, but also a fresh engagement with its own cultural base. The AKTC expanded
its programme intervention into a comprehensive urban renewal programme
encompassing socio-economic, physical as well as cultural components, based on
extensive community dialogue. The aim was to evolve a model of urban
development that was culturally sensitive and informed. The belief that Hazrat
Nizamuddin Basti can overcome its infrastructure challenges and give continuity to
a vital part of the citys history became the driver behind this urban renewal
initiative.

The

project spent considerable time in engaging with the communities while

designing various project components. The process of community dialogue
continues to be the guiding principle as various interventions under the project
evolve and expand. The community dialogue involved a mapping of all stakeholders
starting with local leaders, religious heads, youth, children, women, and men,
owners of commercial establishments, vendors and petty shopkeepers.

The stakeholder engagement was not limited to the community alone but involved
the government and the city of Delhi at large. Extensive dialogue with all
stakeholders resulted in a better understanding of community needs, potential and
resources. Infrastructural challenges within the basti especially with respect to
sanitation, parking facilities and overcrowding were highlighted by residents and
visitors alike. The lack of basic amenities and, despite its rich cultural fabric, a
perception of insecurity, was a common feedback from pilgrims and visitors.
The cultural mapping of tangible and intangible resources of the basti was carried
out by local youth. The mapping exercise listed out some of its unique yet neglected
built heritage. It also brought out the intangible cultural resources of Sufi music,
local crafts such as calligraphy, crochet and cultural practices such as the
celebration of basant and Urs. The cultural resources, historic structures, annual
festivals and local traditions were charted out. Neighbourhoods and the sociological
parameters that govern their growth, were much better understood through these
exercises. While many of the traditional crafts and customs were in peoples homes,
the celebration of festivals on the streets and community spaces brought the people
together. The know-how from the cultural mapping exercise went into the designing
of a heritage walk where local youth trained to be heritage volunteers could guide
tourists and visitors through the basti streets, thus making them aware of the many
layers of history of the area.

The dense settlement still retained some of its open spaces and designated DDA
parks, although they were neglected and poorly maintained. Over the years, the
limited available open spaces were taken over by drug users and became a dumping
ground for household and construction waste, preventing the community and its
children from using these spaces. The 2009 baseline survey revealed that less than
two per cent of the local population accessed these spaces. After careful dialogue
with and design inputs from the youth, parents and women, the open parks in the
basti were freshly landscaped and redesigned under a MoU with the Delhi
Development Authority. One of the parks was specifically designed as a screened
garden or pardah bagh keeping in view the needs of the women for a separate and
secluded open space. Three of the parks have been landscaped and are today
extensively used by the community.
The parks used for community and family events have now become the pride of the
community. Since 2010, the Apni Basti Mela is held every year in one of the parks
where the local community showcases its crafts, theatre, music, food and art.
Children from schools in and around the neighbourhood participate in the mela. The
festival has grown each year and is beginning to attract people from different walks
of life interested in the unique history of the area, its food and music.

The landscaping of the Chausanth Khamba forecourt has enabled the area to host
music festivals. It has now become synonymous with the Jashn-e-Khusro festival
organized every alternate year to celebrate the work of the legendary poet Amir
Khusro and Sufi musicians and singers. The adjoining space around Mirza Ghalibs
Tomb serves as the backdrop for numerous mushaira and poetry recitals. The urban
design interventions around open spaces in the basti, coupled with extensive and
active partnerships with the community on its rich cultural heritage, has helped
revive its intangible heritage and given new meaning to abandoned open spaces.
Apart from the larger open spaces, incidental spaces along streets such as street
corners, intersections and roundabouts which had been reduced to serving as the
usual garbage dumps, have also undergone significant change. Small actions in
these spaces, with the lead taken by children of the community, have made a big
impact on their lives. Wall art by children, youth and local craftsmen, along with
interventions through the hole in the wall computer learning kiosks, have
transformed these spaces into positive and healthy learning spaces for children.
The interventions with children in schools and through environment and heritage
clubs have made use of neighbourhood streets as exhibition spaces. Childrens work
displayed along the streets from time to time, help transform the streets into
welcoming spaces for women and children.

A larger plan for the improvement and upgrading of all streets in the basti has also
been drawn up. This was preceded by an extensive physical survey of streets, an
infrastructure mapping of water, electricity and sewerage and a visual screening of
building condition. The physical survey had not been accurately updated by the
authorities for over 75 years and the new maps provided useful insights into
infrastructural issues, the activity patterns, neighbourhood layouts and traffic and
pedestrian movements in the basti. While many of the streets were paved, the
constant repairs to water and sewerage lines had caused extensive damage.

A comprehensive

plan was drawn up with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi

(MCD) for street paving and underground cabling and for repair and replacement of
water and sewerage lines with the Delhi Jal Board. Nearly 30 per cent of the
sewerage system of the basti was found to be permanently choked leading to
continuing problems at the household level.
Following the repair and replacement of the street infrastructure, the MCD paved
the streets of the basti according to the designs prepared by and under supervision
of AKTC to enhance the street character, especially near historic structures, and to
ensure that further repairs to infrastructure causes least damage to the top surface.
The designs were shared with the community and this partnership between the

municipal authorities, the community and AKTC gave an equal opportunity to all
residents to participate in the development process.

The revival of these common spaces, including streets and open spaces, has not
only helped improve space design and usage but also enhanced the cultural
experience of the residents and visitors to the basti.

In 2008, one of the walls of the historic step well (baoli) collapsed. The pressure of
urbanization and lack of maintenance of the structure had caused a bulge along the
eastern wall which finally gave way, posing a serious threat to 18 families living on
top of the structure and the 5000 or so pilgrims who used the corridor each day to
visit the dargah. The extensive dialogue over a period of two years with
communities and the local government ensured that 17 families were relocated to
government allotted plots. As part of the relocation package, the affected families
were provided with housing, and support for livelihoods and access to health care,
education and pension schemes near their new homes.
Simultaneously, a mammoth effort was made to de-silt the step well to its original
depth of 80 feet below the ground level. The manual lifting of sludge required over
8000 man-days of work. The inappropriate epoxy layer applied to the baoli in 2002
by the authorities was removed and the collapsed portion rebuilt using traditional
building materials and techniques. The original ashlar facing stones that had fallen
in the baoli were lifted manually, collected and reused.

Following the completion of the work at the baoli many smaller historic structures
around it, such as the unknown tomb or Chini ka Burj, were conserved with the
support of the local residents. A housing improvement programme where local
residents were able to repair their homes through a cost sharing mechanism, helped
improve the condition of 40 homes in the basti. In addition to technical advice and
supervision for home improvements, several training programmes on good
construction practices using modern and traditional materials were well received by
the community.
The development process, especially for historic districts, must craft a delicate
balance between the structural heritage of the monuments, the social and cultural
heritage of communities that have lived for generations around them, and the
economic and infrastructure needs of the area. Even though several urban design
interventions in the Nizamuddin Basti have brought about a visible change, it still
continues to grow indiscriminately in the absence of an appropriate policy
framework. So far the Master Plan has articulated the need for special area plans for
heritage zones, including the Nizamuddin area, and the AMASR Act (amendment
2010) recognizes the fact that each monument is unique and the development
around it should be guided by a set of by-laws that are unique to its setting.
These two policy instruments provide the first steps to guide development in such
areas. Much more, however, needs to be done before significant and sustained
improvements will be visible on the ground. As concerned citizens and development
professionals, the challenge for us lies in bridging the gap between our history and
growing developmental concerns through a participatory and inclusionary process
where we look inwards, and seek solutions that are culturally sensitive and
sustainable.
Ratish Nanda (2014) on this project:
It is in the Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti that Amir Khusrau, the 14th century genius,
created the qawwali traditions; it is here that Mirza Ghalib lies buried; it is here that
for over 700 years food, craft, ritual traditions have helped nurture pluralism. Yet,
by 2007, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti was referred to as nothing more than a Muslim
ghetto, taken over by drug lords and land mafias. However, in recent times,
performance spaces have been created here within the historic precincts such as the
Akbari era Chausath Khamba, enticing thousands to visit and enjoy music and eat at
the local restaurants. Mirza Ghalibs tomb is once again the place for mushairas.
Much remains to be done, but there is hope; hope also for the practising qawwals.
It has been repeatedly demonstrated all over the world that cultural projects lead to
significant economic prosperity; yet we in India, rather than provide adequate space
for our traditional street performers, seek to ban them under colonial era antibeggary laws! Use of city spaces such as parks or community halls for artists is
impossible as the process of getting permissions is frustrating. Our city
administrators need to take immediate steps to encourage artists to work with
communities and enable meaningful art to suffuse our neighbourhoods, as it did in

the past and as it does in every civilized society. The pigeon towers of Ahmedabad,
the ornamental gateways of Shahjahabad, the objects of everyday art as seen in the
Sanskriti Museum need to once again inspire and force us to think about the
consequences of the mindless addition to built space.
Sensible conservation is good economics and leads to much needed revenue
generation. The conservation of neighbourhoods in Mumbai has demonstrated that,
as has the manifold increase in visitor numbers during the conservation effort at
Humayuns Tomb (1997-2014).

e.g.:Re-using existing buildings instead of erecting new buildings

on green-fields: the case of Budapest
One of the ongoing hot topics in Budapest is the issue of a new Museum Quarter.
This idea comes from the central government which wants to erect new museum
buildings in the largest park of Budapest, in a green areas of the City-Park
(Vrosliget). The idea evoked hefty criticism from the side of architects, urban
planners and also the majority of citizens. Not going into the political aspects of the
matter, one of the important counter-arguments is that there are many empty and
deteriorating large buildings all over Budapest which could easily accommodate
museum functions, instead of concentrating new museums into one (green) area of
the city. The urban effects of such a museum development programme would be
much larger if dispersing the new museums into sleeping giants in different parts of
the city where they could awake also the surrounding areas.
Further readings:
http://urbact.eu/less-money-more-innovation-regeneration-deprived-residential-areas-crisis

Typology (in urban planning and architecture) is the taxonomic classification of (usually physical)
characteristics commonly found in buildings and urban places, according to their association with
different categories, such as intensity of development (from natural or rural to highly urban),
degrees of formality, and school of thought (for example, modernist or traditional). Individual
characteristics form patterns. Patterns relate elements hierarchically across physical scales (from
small details to large systems).