INTACH activities in Urban Heritage Conservation

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage 71, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, widely known as INTACH, is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that was founded in 1984, with Rajiv Gandhi as the first Chairman.

Monuments officially designated as protected are the responsibility of the governments Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the state archaeological departments, but there are many thousands of heritage buildings and sites that fall outside their purview. INTACH was founded to fill the vacuum. At its inception, INTACHs basic objective was to create awareness for Indias rich cultural heritage, and to focus on restoration and protection of unprotected heritage buildings and sites.

Over the last 25 years, INTACH has established various divisions : Architectural Heritage, Material Heritage, Natural Heritage, Heritage Education, Heritage Tourism; manned by a dedicated core of qualified professionals. In addition to professional expertise, INTACH has more than 140 chapters covering every state in the country, all manned by dedicated volunteers.

Recently, INTACH has moved on with increasing involvement in programs relating to school children, rural communities, and urban centers, and has expanded the definition of heritage to include intangible and living traditions. INTACH has added a new focus on the integration of heritage preservation and urban development with cultural and socio-economic development and poverty alleviation.

Listing of Heritage Buildings & Sites

Identification & documenting our Cultural Heritage

Listings INTACHs Initiative

Since 1984 Core activity of INTACH.

The listing is an inventory of heritage buildings & sites based on survey of cultural heritage of an area.

More than 67,000 listings. ( compare with 8500 protected

building with ASI + State archaeologies)

160 towns covered in 25 states. Many listings acquired statutory status Bombay, Delhi, Hyderabad

Buildings, artefacts, historic precincts, archaeological sites and monuments, natural heritage such us sacred groves, hills, water bodies, vistas, forests, hills, open ground, garden, cultural landscapes. And also Cultural practices, rituals fairs, Traditional arts & crafts.- Our Common

Assets and provides us with distinct identity

Listing Criteria Significance

Values : Historical, Associational, Physical, Architectural,Technological Social and cultural
Association with the events, activities or patterns Association with important persons Distinctive physical characteristics of design,construction or form, representing a work of master etc. Potential to yield important information such as illustrating social economic history for example Railway stations etc. Technological innovations such as dams, bridges, use of new materials etc. District town planning features like square, avenues,cities etc.

Historic & Traditional Settlements & areas

-Craft Centers -Vernacular sites -Bazaars -Traditional streets

-Heritage Villages

Cultural Landscape Features

Cultural Landscapes Landscape Features Natural Features Scenic Sites Sacred Groves

CULTURAL HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES Cultural Objects Cultural Features Archeological Remains Ruins & remnants

Vernacular and local heritage structures are equally Important to list.

Listing Status of different Cities

Place
Varanasi Amritsar

Listings
300 800

Other INTACH Projects

Conservation Plan for Ghats
Restoration of Ram Bagh, Ranjit Singh Museum, Alluwalia Fort Proposals, Heritage Walks

-Ujjain Puri Agra Mysore Mathura Haridwar Srinagar 758 372 624 160 429 400 825 Conservation & Tourism Master plan Conservation Proposal, Heritage Walks -Conservation of Postal Training center Conservation Plan for Mathura Ghats

Listing forms

Most Important Photograph

Pref: Front Elevation

INTACH LISTING FORM

Listing Mapping

LISTING BENEFITS
Cultural Resource data bank Identification of Historic Precincts & Zones Formulation of Heritage Regulations City Development Plans Prioritizing Conservation Works Potentials for Re-use, tourist & infrastructure facilities Guidelines for Urban & Rural Conservation Heritage Walks

Guidelines for Urban Renewal

Step 1 Identification Listing , Heritage Zones, Research & participation Step 2 Designation Master Plan , Zone Plans, Heritage Regulations, Guidelines, Bye- Laws etc. Conservation projects Streetscape, Reuse, restoration, Heritage tourism . Step 3 Conservation & Development Heritage as Development Engine. Implementation , setting up of Heritage cells, etc.

Charter for the Conservation of Unprotected Architectural Heritage and Sites in India
Adopted at the INTACH National Convention (Nov 4, 2004) In India, looking at the vast array of unprotected cultural resource, Issues of living heritage and continuing cultural practices all over the country and a need to acknowledge role of traditional mason (sompuras, raj mistris, sthapatis) and craftsman, INTACH felt the need for a charter to promulgate the Indian context.

The charter acknowledges that.. Heritage extends beyond monuments Development is as an imperative as conservation and the two can co-exist; Historical building has an inseparable bond with the settings; Any conservation action must be preceded by adequate research and documentation Conservation adds to the quality of life for local community Awareness and awakening is required; Education system at all levels needs reformation;

CHARTERS

GUIDELINES

CONSERVATION REPORTS

intach has produced some of the key documents. charter for the conservation of unprotected architectural heritage and sites in india. guidelines for listing historic towns and heritage zones
AGKM - Mysore

Ghats of Mathura and Vrindavan

Developed different methodologies for including the imperatives of conserving heritage in the master plan in different contexts.

LISTING

AGKM - Mysore

INTACH HAS OVER 100 CONSERVATION PROJECT REPORTS

I N T A C H

AGKM - Mysore

Visitors guidebook for Delhi and Agra

Eco City Development Plan for Chanderi

AGKM - Mysore

JNNURM : Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission

After 60 years of planning new towns and cities, old parts of many towns are decaying, communities are devoid of basic household services sanitation facilities, piped water within the premises etc, improper waste disposal and collection system, lack of proper access and transportation. To address the development needs, the Govt of India launched urban renewal of major towns and cities in December 2005. 63 cities were selected. There is real damage that when massive funds flow into cities under JNNURM, the heritage structures and precincts, the natural heritage and crafts traditions will suffer because they will be dealt insensitively.

In order to deliberate the requirements of sensitive planning of cities, a day long National Conference was held on 5th June 2006 in Mysore which was organized by the MoUD, GoI in partnership with INTACH. The conference strongly conveyed the message that Indias 5000 year old culture has been nurtured in the historic areas and in a globalizing economy retaining these characteristics is important to maintain the diversity of Indias culture. As recommended in the conference, Toolkit was prepared by INTACH for the formulation City Development Plans for the historic areas of the cities.

Guidelines in the Toolkit

PREPARE LISTING OF HERITAGE COMPONENTS INCORPORATE LISTING IN THE CITY PLAN. EARMARK THE HERITAGE ZONES OR PRECINCTS. local area plans with the participation of citizens and localized stakeholders RECOMMENDATIONS COULD BE DRAWN UP FOR THE HERITAGE ZONES IN THE FORM OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION PLANS OR STRATEGIES PREPARE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL GUIDELINES / CONSERVATION GUIDELINES FOR THE HERITAGE AREAS / PRECINCTS. - Legislation SUBSIDIZED INTEREST LOAN SCHEMES FOR RESTORATION, MICRO FINANCING, TAX INCENTIVES (RELAXATION IN HOUSE TAX, INCOME TAX, VAT), RELAXATION IN FSI AND SETBACKS, PARKING ALLOCATIONS, TRANSFER DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (TDR) ETC. PPP

CREATE AWARENESS AND INVOLVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ORGANIZE COMMUNITY EVENTS, THEATRES, HERITAGE FESTIVALS, HERITAGE WALKS ETC TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. ENCOURAGE SETTING UP OF LOCAL HERITAGE TRUSTS AND CITIZENS GROUPS TO ADDRESS ISSUES RELATED TO CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REMOVE THE THREAT PERCEPTION BY OWNERS OF LOOSING THE VALUE OF PROPERTIES ONCE IT IS LISTED. ADVISOR TO THE LOCAL URBAN BODIES FACILITATOR IN THE PLANNING PROCESS CONSULTANTS TO PREPARE THE CDP APPRAISER / EVALUATOR OF THE CDP AFFINITY GROUPS / PRESSURE GROUPS/ CITIZEN GROUP

Role of INTACH Tool Kit Guidelines for Urban Renewal. Partnerships with city authorities Heritage listing, development of CDP, stakeholder participation, Advisory. Heritage Impact Assessments of Development projects in Historic areas. Evaluation of Heritage components in CDPs. Training & Capacity building of implementing agencies. Setting Heritage cells within city authorities. Creating Task Force.

JAISALMERCONSERVATION INITIATIVE A MULTI DIMENSIONAL PROJECT

Conservation and Restoration Projects Infrastructure up-gradation for the community Heritage Awareness Program Arts and Crafts revival Program Economic regeneration Program

Since 1996, INTACH has been working on three major initiatives in Jaisalmer all of which have directly benefited people from the socially and economically backward sections of society: Restoration Projects in Jaisalmer Fort Social Development Initiatives Craft Development Initiatives

The 850 year old Jaisalmer Fort was in a state of decay, with many of its beautiful palaces on the verge of collapse. The arrival of tourists put a spotlight on these heritage buildings leading to a major conservation initiative by INTACH

Collapsing Bastions

Clutteredelectricitycables

AbandonedHouses

The first major project, (supported by a substantial grant from American Express, through the World Monument Fund)

the restoration of Rani Ka Mahal (The Queens Palace)

A major portion of the Rani Ka Mahal had collapsed in 1995 and the building was lying unused. Today the palace has been completely restored by INTACH Various cultural, educational and philanthropic activities make it a living monument.

INTACH has restored the Rani Ka Mahal and has initiated several activities such as:
Arts & Crafts Training Centre for Women Spice Centre Children Library Computer Training Centre Heritage Interpretation Centre Conference Hall cum INTACH Chapter Office

Art and Craft Centre, Jaisalmer

INTACH established a successful arts and crafts training centre with a grant received from the Ministry of Social Empowerment, Government of India. Products are sold to tourists and visitors to the fort.

Spice Centre Rani Ka Mahal

Trainingwomeninproductionoftraditional pickles,spicesandcrispbreads. Visitorssampleandpurchasetheculinary products.

Children Library cum Activity Centre

There was no library cum activity centre in the Jaisalmer Fort for the children. With a three years grant from the Unniti Foundation, INTACH has started a Children's Library in a small section of the Rani Ka Mahal. This has become very popular amongst the children and we get up to 50 children visiting the library every day.

Heritage Interpretation Centre The renovated palaces house museums and displays of relevant information for visitors

Conference Hall

INTACH Chapter Office

Objects discovered during the conservation work have been displayed within the renovated rooms

HAWA PROL (Gateway of winds)

Hawa Prol is the gate through which all tourists enter the main square of the Jaisalmer Fort. During the earthquake in 2001, this important landmark suffered extensive damage and was under danger of being demolished due to its weak structure. INTACH has now restored this beautiful and historic gate.

HAWA PROL is now being re-used as a museum and portrait gallery.

HAR RAJ JI KA MAHAL

The oldest palace in Jaisalmer Fort was in a state of complete ruin. Its collapse could have caused extensive damage to the entire architectural fabric of the Fort

INTACHcompletedemergency stabilisationofthisbuildingand isnowintheprocessofrestoringit.

RestorationandReuseof theMori
The Mori is a circuitous passage running between the living areas and the outer bastions of the fort. Originally used by guards to protect the Fort, this had become an open garbage dump. INTACH has completely cleaned the Mori, which enables tourists and residents to walk around the fort and enjoy beautiful views of the city.

Thefirsttaskwastocleartheentire passageofaccumulateddebris

Work inthe Mori

Street Revitalization Project

(UNESCO Award for Conservation Projects 2002) (British Airways Global Award for Built Environment)

The project focuses on the living conditions of the people residing within the Jaisalmer Fort complex, and improves the experience of visitors. Street up-gradation Installation of toilets Cleaning of facades

Street Improvements and Installation of Toilets

The old streets of the fort have been re-paved using the original stones. Drainage has been repaired and improved to prevent water seepage. Individual houses have been provided with toilets.

ImprovedSignage
New signs have been placed strategically in the city and the fort, providing relevant and historic information to visitors.

ToolsforTrainingofLocalGuides andTourismFacilities

Detailedmapsofthecityandthefort highlightingtheheritagesites

AMBEDKARHASTSHILPVIKASYOJNA (AHVYPROJECTINJAISALMER)
The project sponsored by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India is focused on the formulation of Self Help Groups (SHG) of artisans for their development and will provide

Skill up-gradation Marketing Techniques Design inputs Management Techniques.

Common Facility Center For Stone Carving Artisans

Training & design development ensure quality control Regenerates capacity and capability Provides marketing network Institutionalises and expands operations Assures minimum wages to the artisans Arranges bulk supply of raw material

In an effort to create job opportunities in Jaisalmer and its neighbouring villages INTACH has undertaken the Integrated Development of embroidery artisans through skill enhancement, design workshops and marketing inputs

Jaisalmer Listing

THANKYOU