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Review of Urban Conservation Practices in Historic Cities

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International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019)
ISSN No. (Print) : 0975-8364
ISSN No. (Online) : 2249-3255

Review of Urban Conservation Practices in Historic Cities

Shradha Chandan and Ashwani Kumar
Department of Architecture and Planning,
Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (Rajasthan) India
(Corresponding author: Shradha Chandan)
(Received 02 February 2019, Revised 31 March 2019 Accepted 10 April 2019)
(Published by Research Trend, Website: www.researchtrend.net)
ABSTRACT: The long evolution of cultural heritage till today’s wide meaning is intimately linked to
th
France, where this concept born in the 19 century, during the Revolution, the Empire and the
Restoration to various parts of the world. It originates from its recognition as an expression of national
identity and progresses through a sequence of legislative acts: initially linked to the preservation of
individual monuments, later of the sites and protected areas, and then of the historic centres. The
interrelation between culture, heritage, conservation and tourism is very crucial and it is imperative to
create stronger links between historic sites, monuments and indigenous people in the community. In
1987, Brundtland report defined the concept of sustainability which involves “development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.” This paper highlights the different ideologies in the history of the conservation movement and
shows a long progress of theories implied through history since it started in early classical ages until the
modern globalization era, and highlights certain points as optimistic strategy to be applied in the
conservation of historic city. After reviewing history of ideologies, the papers aims to validate the
progress in the urban conservation approaches in India and abroad by examining its historic evolution.
The evaluation of the approaches in conservation projects demonstrates the positivism of the ideologies
to sustain these intensive projects.
Keywords: Urban Conservation Practices, Historic Cities, historic towns, cultural heritage
I. INTRODUCTION The research mainly depended on the primary and
secondary sources. To begin with, the literature
Historical centres, as clusters of architecturally and survey from different sources viz. books, articles,
historically significant buildings and monuments, are publications, manuals, toolkits, conservation
part of the city’s identity. The concepts of sustainability documents, study reports, case studies, web
and conservation deal with the same principle, resources, etc., of various scholars of have been
maintaining the existing, protecting the heritage for carried out to understand the subject, methodologies,
future generations, thus must be parts on the same approaches, tools and techniques including policies.
strategy of preserving cultural heritage, an un-
renewable resource, as a building demolished is a II. DEFINING CONSERVATION
part of history forever lost. The purpose of this
research is to develop a holistic strategy for the Holcomb and Beaurgard added “growth and
sustainable conservation of historical centers. “progress” to the definition of what they refer to as
Considering the whole area for renewal instead of a “urban Revitalization” and state that, as earlier labels
building-by-building approach is our proposal to use (e.g., “urban redevelopment”, “urban renewal”, and
the city’s characteristics and resources to preserve its “urban regeneration”), urban revitalization implies
identity. Pilgrim destinations have to deal with ever- growth, progress and infusion of new economic
increasing number of people concentrated on the activities into stagnant or declining cities that are no
longer attractive to investors or middle class
same focus. This requires frequent extension of
existing facilities. The pilgrim destinations have households [1]. Accordingly, revitalization can be
varying religious cycles from seasonal, yearly to defined, in simplest form, as a “process through which
periodical (such as Kumbh Mela) when large the deterioration and decay of historic urban quarter
congregation of masses takes place. Therefore, the can be addressed, terminated or reversed”. According
number of Monitor varies depending on the seasons to Couch, urban regeneration is seeking to bring back
and other factors Infrastructure has to be provided for investment, employment and consumption and to
pilgrims, temporary or permanent depending on the enhance the quality of life within the urban areas [2].
Revitalization is a process of giving new life to a
rhythms of pilgrim flow. There are also environmental
health and safety problems associated with such sites declining neighborhood or a district. It involves
which necessitate planning, monitoring and renewal and improvement of older commercial and
management. The conservation of the overall residential areas through any series of actions or
environment and the cultural heritage is required at programs that encourage and facilitates private and
such places and it needs to be in accordance with the public investments [3]. This community investments
living conditions of the inhabitants. Therefore, it is can include (but not limit to) activities and programs
important to plan development activities and designed to improve neighborhoods; strengthen
existing business; attract new business; encourage
safeguard the environment both through short and
long-term measures. quality renovation and new construction; enhance
public spaces and pedestrian amenities; ensure safe,
Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 74
 efficient traffic flow; and contribute to the social and many residents and business began to leave the cities
economic vitality of the areas. for the perceived safer newer and cleaner world of
Revitalization is manifested through suburbia with its lager homes and greenery. To
demolition, clearance and redevelopment or through rejuvenate their downtown districts, many
rehabilitation, or restoration, or through a combination communities throughout the nation began to embark
of these strategies. Rehabilitation consists in giving on downtown revitalization projects. It saw the rise
the urban and architectural heritage its full capacity to “bulldozer” school of planning which received a lot of
play a useful role in the society. History of criticism. Revitalization, simply doesn’t mean passive
Revitalization dates back to 1940s and 50s living, protection of individual building of historical
working, entertainment and shopping existed in a significance; nor does it mean whole preservation
general equilibrium in the downtowns. During this everything old. Instead, it means the creative use and
period, conservation was limited to a concern for reuse of older quarters of the city, taken as a whole.
historical buildings of special importance, usually The ultimate Intent is to create an environment where
nd
castles, palaces, churches etc. [4]. It was a 2 world residents, business and in cases tourist could support
war and its mass destruction of the historic cities in each other to achieve an attractive, livable and
Europe which provided the stimulus for a more serious workable environment [9]. The timeline of the urban
consideration of older urban areas. Beginning of conservation has been illustrated in Table 1.
1960s, the allure of downtowns began to wane and
Table 1: Timeline of Urban Conservation (Source- Urban Regenration, Skyes) [5,6,10,16,19].
Period/Policy 1950’s 1960’s 1970’s 1980’s 1990’s
Type Reconstruction Revitalization Renewal Redevelopment Regeneration
Major Strategy Reconstruction and Continuation of Focus on in situ Major scheme of Towards
And Orientation extension of older 1950’s theme, renewal and redevelopment , comprehensive
area of town and suburban and neighborhood flagship projects of form of policy and
cities often based on peripheral growth scheme, still town projects practice, more
a m aster plan development at emphasis on
suburban growth periphery integrated
treatments
Key Actors/Stock National and local Move towards a Growing role of Emphasis on private Partnership, the
Holders govt, private sector greater balance private sector sector and special dominant approach
developers and between public and and agencies, growth of
contractors private sector development partnerships
centralization in
local govt.

Spatial Level Emphasis on local Regional level of Regional and Focus on site, later Re-introduction of
Activity and site level activity emerged local levels emphasis on local strategic
initially later level perspective, growth
more local of regional activity
emphasis
Economic Focus Public sector Continuation from Resource Private sector Greater balance
investment with 1950’s with constraints in dominant with between public
some private sector growing influence public sector selective public private and
involvement of privat e and growth of funds voluntary funding
investment private
investment
Social Content Improvement of Social and welfare Community Community self-help Emphasis on role
housing and living improvement based action with selective state of community
standards and greater support
empowerment
Physical Replacement of Continuation from More extensive Major schemes of More modest than
Emphasis inner areas and 1950’s with parallel renewal of older replacement and 1980’s heritage
peripheral rehabilitation of urban areas new development, and retention
development existing areas flagship schemes
Environmental Landscaping Selective Improvement Growth of concern Introduction of
Approach improvements with innovation for wider approach broader idea of
environmental
sustainability

This core can be a market place, and industry or protection of selected buildings or groupings that are
historic core which has been the seat of rulers in the characterized as monuments whose origins relate to
past and has been responsible for the rise in the city. cultural expressions and features, later charters
As it grows, this core transforms itself into the inner expanded the concept of values and essence beyond
city. Such inner cities from time to time, become the purely cultural into the social and the economic [5].
misfits because of the changing standards, functions The contradiction between the charters was in the
and are unable to provide modern standards of design of new structures in the surroundings of
befitting healthy urban development. While the city historic monuments and within historic areas. The
expands and spreads to the suburbs the, the inner city 1931 Athens Charter prohibited the reproduction of
becomes more and more congested because of its historical styles while the 1964 Venice Charter exerted
centrality and has a tendency to slide back that the new structures should be distinct and
economically and physically because of its overuse contemporary, the 1975 European Charter promoted
and obsolete economic activities. In the world, the use of traditional materials, and only the 1987
common to all of the charters is their focus on the Washington Charter had the potential for

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 75

contemporary elements to contribute to the tourists that has a high potential to influence the
enrichment of a historic area expressed that they be environment in sites. In traditional tourism, these
‘in harmony’ [7-8]. effects are governed by seasonality and are limited
The term 'conservation' is action oriented. over time and space. There are significant changes in
Conservation is preservation or efficient using scale; frequency and character of such visitation over
resources Conservation may refer more specifically to the past few decade reflect new pressures on the
Conservation of biodiversity, environment, and natural environment of historic sites. The environment in
resources, including protection and management these centers is influenced by the influx of visitors in
Conservation, protection and restoration of cultural many ways. These impacts typically include short-
heritage. Conservation of the urban environment aims term peak demands exerting stress on basic services,
to control the rate of change in the urban system. accumulation of huge quantities of residuals (wastes),
Therefore an understanding of the system and high levels of pollution and Clearing of land (and
identifying the causes of decay is necessary. The forests) for creating temporary accommodation
conservation approach varies with place and time. It facilities and amenities for pilgrims Increase in the
must relate to the culture and customs of each place magnitude/frequency of visitation and rapid urban
and should avoid disruption of traditional and growth driven largely by such visitation are interrelated
contemporary community patterns. Today, considering factors most likely to shape the environment in a
the degrading situation of our cities, a conservation- Pilgrim centre. The maximum impact is on the
oriented approach is needed as opposed to solely heritage structures and the areas which with growing
development oriented. Challenges in a Historic Centre pressure lack the maintained to keep it worthwhile.
is usually the onset of large scale movement of
Table 2: Goals of Urban Conservation [10].
Economic Development • Adaptive reuse and cost recovery
• Full commercialization of historic city centers
• Modernization of commercial activity
Physical Improvement • Infrastructure development
• Restoration of monuments
• Mass rehabilitation of entire housing areas
Environmental Actions • Control the environmental impact of transport
• Control the effect of transport on air quality
• Plan for sustainable transport system
Neighbourhood Strategy • Neighbourhood Strategy is about the coordination of efforts and city-wide approach
for regeneration ,
• net overall economic gain ,
• avoid clustering activities in certain areas and decline in others

The conservation of historic towns and other historic IV. URBAN CONSERVATION: TYPICAL
urban areas should be integral part of coherent APPROACHES
policies of economic and social development.
Qualities to be preserved include the historic character "Culture is that complex whole which includes
of the town or urban area and all those materials and knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and
spiritual elements that express this character. any other capabilities and habits acquired by [a
Conservation is connected to the people who inhabit human] as a member of society." UNESCO.
the place are responsible for its daily use and Culture and City Branding is one of the ways to
identify the city’s image and use is for the planning
maintenance of the spaces. The participation and the
involvement of the residents are essential for the strategies.A city’s image is deemed critically important
success of the conservation program new functions to attract new capital and tourists [11-12]. Therefore,
and activities should be compatible with the character cultural projects have emerged as important
of the historic town or urban area. instruments to reinforce the status and “brand identity”
When it necessary to construct new building or adapt of cities. Additionally, cultural facilities may at times
existing ones, the existing spatial layouts should be function as a “Trojan horse” for local growth coalitions
respected. Traffic inside a historic town or urban area [15]. Because of their perceived benefits to the local
quality of life, large-scale development projects may
must be controlled and parking areas must be planned
so that they do not damage the historic fabric or its include cultural facilities as a local “amenity” to
environment. In the early 19th century, focus was on overcome resistance from community groups or as a
renewal of neighborhood and gentrification. Due to concession to the negative externalities generated by
their long-held associations, they are the embodiment a project. Due to their perceived economic success
of the intangible cultural values of the urban area. and marketing capabilities, a broad range of cultural
Gentrification and the resulting displacement of facilities have become centrepieces of major urban
traditional inhabitants, or conversely abandonment by redevelopment projects, typically located in downtown
areas [16-17]. Entrepreneurial Strategies most clearly
the middle-class to lower-income inhabitants, can
result in a loss of the unique heritage values of the pursue a proactive, market-driven approach guided by
place [13]. Now the emphasis differ context to context, purely economic objectives; Creative Class Strategies
in India, focus is on physical infrastructure seek economic development through the provision of
improvements and providing basic amenities to the quality of life and recreational amenities; and
cities and town which is depicted in Table 2. Progressive Strategies follow a more grassroots and
neighbourhood-based approach to cultural
development that seeks to respond more directly to
the needs of local communities and arts organizations
which depicted in Table 3. Culture for Lewis Mumford
is a generalized reflection of the state of humanity’s

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 76

civilization/barbarity, for Zukin, it is some else– involving “material inequalities” and necessarily rooted
something intimately connected to issues of power. in place. Critics charge that entrepreneurial initiatives
Culture–while a “powerful means of controlling cities,” privilege the private sector over the public good as
a “source of images and memories,” a “set of they concentrate more on building the city for visitors
architectural themes,” the “unique competitive edge of and affluent residents rather than the entire population
cities” and the fuel for “the city’s symbolic economy”– [18-19].
is also a “dialogue” (heterogeneous and fluid),

Fig. 1. Elements of cultural Capital [12].

Table 3: Cultural development Strageties (Source-sideris 2007) [20].
Strategy Type Goals Types of Geographic Target Cities
Cultural Factors’ Prime Audience implemented
Projects And City Areas
Programs
Entrepreneurial Economic Flagship Downtown Tourist and Mumbai,
Growth cultural “Prime City Conventioneers Ahmedabad,
Through projects, areas” Affluent Bhopal,
Tourism, City spectacular residents and Bhubaneswar
Image, events suburbanites [36]
promotional
activities
Creative Class Economic Arts and Central City and Prospective and Hampi
growth through entertainment Historic Urban existing Puri
quality of life districts. Neighborhoods residents, young [31]
amenities, Collaboration urban
attract New with arts and professional and
residents in the private sector knowledge
creative based workers
economy
Progressive Community Community Inner city Underserved
Development, arts centers, Neighborhood, Residential
art education art education Undeserved Populations
and access programs Neighborhoods
Local Cultural
production

During the nineteenth century the Marais in Fig. 2 buildings externally and internally, the opening up of
became an artisan quarter, and the former hotels, the spaces between buildings and within courtyards
particularly the town mansion houses of the rich were that had been built over and the recreation of the
taken over and subdivided into workshops and gardens. Sites and Historic Monuments at the French
apartments, their courtyards often built over to form Ministry of Cultural Affairs: ‘the only solution for the
warehouses. The original plan for the sector sauve revitalization of the 300 large residences in the Marais
gardé was a highly interventionist one aimed at the is to use them for embassies or head offices of large
restoration of the entire quarter to its former glory with companies’. Museums and government offices were
objectives as the restoration of all of the historic also considered compatible uses [21].

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 77

 Fig. 2. Marais Quarter, Paris, France [21].
In Bulgaria, the over-riding policy being to restore and methodological approaches include Coordination of
apply cultural uses to them, uses that make them marketing and product development, Consultation and
accessible to the public for higher education or as community involvement an imminent approach and
visitors but detach them from the everyday life of the identifying public and private involvement and
majority of citizens. There are only so many art partnerships with assessing feasibility and desirability
galleries, museums, libraries, and institutes that any of options. Basically Re-evaluating planning
city can support. The Ancient Reserve, Plovdiv in Fig. parameters, Strategic approaches and a creative
3 has taken on the aspect of an open-air museum, vision for the future.
with its associated complement of souvenir shops and Major principles associated in heritage
stalls. Around half of the more than 200 monuments in management in historic towns is sharing the urban
the Ancient Reserve are underused, in poor condition resource, Heritage Management, Visitors
or derelict; some are in ruins. Detaching this historic Management, Orientation, Interpretation and
area from the everyday life of the modern city has Information. Associated conflicts usually include a
seriously limited the options for using these clash of policies regarding new development and
monuments, and therefore the investment to restore conservation; aspirations for modernisation, meeting
them. the needs of a tourist culture and those of the local
culture and maintaining the quality of urban
environment in the face of the quantity of tourists.
Heritage management is the management of visitors
in an historic place in the interest of the historic fabric
and the enhancement of visitor appreciation and
experience: ‘Good heritage management with a major
focus on heritage interpretation and presentation
ensures that one complements the other’ .It is
therefore important to ensure that a historic building is
restored with providing a living function for an historic
building it leads to decrease in the number of empty
properties, providing a more desirable environment by
reducing the crime avoid the environmental impacts of
the same function being located in a new building and
Fig. 3. Ancient Reserve, Bulgaria [12]. also creates an environments which will help historic
towns retain the qualities that make them attractive.
Planning for tourism in historic centers with a depth [21]. Just as Visitor management is not only a matter
focus on the Environmental consciousness and of traffic or pedestrian flow management, but involves
sustainable tourism is an approach to conserve the imaginative solutions to enhance the visitor
existing the culture and heritage of the areasIts basic experience, maintain a favourable reputation for the
ineffectiveness at addressing the problems means destination, and ensure a high-quality environment for
that it is in danger of being nicely co-opted by both the residents to live and work in, and visitors to enjoy. The
tourist and the tourism industry alike in an attempt to aim of interpretation cell in the cities should be to
salve quality, consciences and promote seemingly provide sufficient information to familiarise the visitor
more conscientious marketing. Preparing a tourism with the place and to inform. Information and signage
development/management plan implemented in three have to be sensitive to the location and provide a
stages i.e Preparatory stages, planning and recognisable focus for the visitor.Thus providing the
Implementation. It requires Identification of the current interpretation, information cell such as visitor centres,
situation: research, including evaluation of the site, multi-media and active interpretation is an utmost
community, economic and political background; necessity in a historic centre.
surveys, data collection and analysis of data and Foreign visitors pay an entry fee to visit Bhaktapur,
Forecasting growth, development patterns and future Nepal in Fig. 4 Bhaktapur, Nepal, the income from
events with also Setting tourism and development which is used towards maintenance and to cover
objectives [32]. The approach was implemented in some of the restoration costs of the major temples.
Tourism Strategy adopted by Hampi World Heritage Most tourist attention is diverted to the main squares,
Management Authority for the Sustainable while the residential areas remain relatively ‘private’.
Management of the World Heritage site in India with Interpretation is a delicate balance among providing
Effective long-term planning, based on sound sufficient guidance, not oversimplifying the experience

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 78

and allowing the visitor to be free to discover the long festival led by Sahapedia, pioneer in Indian
complexity of an urban environment. Often there is Heritage Conservation conducted in various Indian
scope to be more imaginative than simply depending cities at various days Fig. 5 shows an heritage walk
on signposting and designated trails, ensuring that the into the calm forts and buzzing bazaars heritage of
visitor feels there is more to discover while not being Sion, Mumbai.
overwhelmed by the place. Planning and managing urban-use regulated
as the oversupply of service soon makes the product
cheaper, whether it is too many hotels competing for
the package deals or too many cafes in a square. St
Mark’s Square, Venice, however, will never have
enough cafes charging exorbitant amounts for small
cups of espresso. The amount, location and
distribution of services can play an important part in
managing visitors and tourism in historic towns which
can also be experienced in the South Bombay, India.
Planning authorities are able to regulate the location
and distribution of some establishments through
licensing agreements, while safeguarding residential
areas or religious uses. People value the enjoyment of
architecture will always be a minority pleasure, but the
spirit of place has more general appeal. Art creates a
dialogue between people and place and is also a
means of communicating the values of a place to
others. The approach was one of principles which
Fig. 4. Bhaktapur, Nepal [21]. made the Kala Godha Street Art festival in Fig. 5 one
of the prominent focal point in the fort area of Mumbai.
Heritage trails have been an approach to utilise the
information and bank on the history and geography of
the city. Indian Heritage walk festival is a yearly Month

Fig. 5. Initiatives. a) Kala Godha Art Festival b) Heritage walk In Sion by India Heitage walk Festival [12].
Completely pedestrianizing central areas as a blanket greatly reduce the congestion in the streets is in the
policy may also isolate surrounding areas from the Fort Management Plan initiated by UDRI in 2003.
benefits of tourism and commerce. Pedestrian The point and mode of arrival are very significant and
networks must above all be attractive to pedestrians, a key to the planning of orientation and interpretation
allowing for the discovery and appreciation of the facilities. The location of a railway station in relation to
environment, as well as being inviting Cobblestones an historic centre, for example, can play a significant
provide an acceptable texture. The internal streets of role in tourism development. Strict regulation and the
Mumbai Fort area are overcrowded with parked introduction of permits or dedicated parking locations
vehicles, street food vendors, hawkers, etc. making it with transfer to the centre on lighter local
difficult for pedestrian commuters to navigate the transportation systems [22].
area. One of the recommendations was removing one
of the elements such as vehicular traffic that can

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 79

 Fig. 6. Pedestrianization of streets in Fort, Mumbai [23].

Fig. 7. Pedestrianization of Temple Core in Madurai [22].

Cities have been and still are containing complex down of historical structures to facilitate expansion
refuge, acting as shelter from natural disaster these and access to modern amenities. The saga of
leading to cluster of hotspot as spatial aspect combine conservation efforts has set a benchmark for other
with complicated layer of historic items evolve through Indian cities. In 1984, the study undertaken by
time (21, 24]. The act of conservation, restoration, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation along with
repairing, reconstruction and preservation of ancient America's Ford Foundation set the stone rolling for
monuments and surrounding areas is a very long and conserving the rich heritage of the city. Ahmedabad
arduous task which needs to be done under expert became the first Indian local body to have a dedicated
guidance. heritage cell [25]. In 1994 the AMC set up the heritage
It can be the Taj Mahal, seven wonders of the world cell in association with Conservation and Research of
and the Ghats at Varanasi, or the murals at Urban Traditional Architecture. The heritage cell
Khajuraho, Ajanta and Ellora, or the the magnificent prepared a comprehensive plan to revitalize the
Meenakshi Temple at Madurai or the Red Forts at walled city. In 2001 AMC in association with French
Agra and Delhi, Exquisite palaces of Rajasthan or government initiated the process of documenting
Beautiful buildings of Old Goa and Royal un Temple of 12,000 historic structures [26]. AMC collaborated with
Konark, deep research and study is required to Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited
replicate or conserve the work of the original builders. to undertake a public private partnership project to
There are guidelines that is followed by the ASI while enable preservation of historic sites [26]. AMC issued
restoration in steps with the building forensics. The guidelines which prohibited any history house from
plans, History, intention, materials and tools used by being pulled down without prior permission from the
the original builders. Should always be under Special heritage cell to preserve the charter of the selected
attention. area [25] in 2013, AUDA also initiated a transfer of
One of the successful conservation legacy development rights TDR policy under which initiative
has been laid down by the historic city of Ahmedabad. owners of heritage properties could sell transfer or
The cultural wealth which was the hallmark of loan out additional FSI to developers in the form of
Ahmedabad received a setback in the post- TDR that can be send anywhere in the city from which
independence Era due to which Economic challenges The funds generated were used towards conservation
coupled with ill-thought expansion led to the pulling efforts [29].There were Initiatives like heritage walk

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 80

street theatre and heritage awards to encourage [28]. The success story of Ahmedabad in promoting its
community participation and support towards the urbans by preserving its rich heritage has been an
efforts of the city authorities. This type of inclusive inspiration and the city is now been recognized as
approach for the cause of culture and heritage further world heritage city by UNESCO [30]. It has also been
strengthened solidarity among people. A number of an example to depicts how local bodies can also play
heritage buildings were converted into heritage home a part in preserve, conserve and maintaining the
stays which depicted the lifestyles and cultures of the culture, heritage and history of the city.
past thus attracting tourism and revenue for the area

Fig. 8. Teen Darwaza, Ahmedabad [29].

Cultural heritage Tourism was practice initially began state development system, to implement the cultural
during 1980s in United States to encourage the heritage tourism for sustainable development of the
preservation and interpretation of the recognized area.
monuments with an approach to link the cultural Redevelopment approach operates in projects basis
assest with the economic benefits of the city and its and is undertaken in specifically designated areas
diverse neighbourhood. It was an initiative to improve such as Shahajahanabad, walled city of Delhi. Socio-
the quality of life of the residents, preserving the local Cultural -Walled City is Delhi’s multicultural melting
pride and revitalize the neighbourhood. After its pot and has Rich urban heritage. It is applicable in
inclusion on the endangered sites list, Hampi, World areas in which buildings are generally in seriously
heritage site, UNESCO helped the Karnataka deteriorated conditions, or in the arrangement of the
government draft the Hampi Management Act, under buildings and the general layout of the area such that
which the Hampi World Heritage Area Management the area does not and cannot provide satisfactory
Authority was appointed to provide guidelines for local living conditions or opportunity as the case may be. It
government [31]. Even though it managed to bring consists of the removal of existing buildings and
some order to the 'lost kingdom', the act itself seemed Reuse of the land cleared and any open land or
more like an administrators' mandate, not considering vacant, etc. [33].
the needs of the local community. It helped within the

Fig. 9. Bazaars near Virupaksha Temple, Hampi [32].

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 81

 Fig. 10. Walled City Shaha Jahanabad [34].

Dilapidated Heritage buildings, Street/public spaces replacements such roofing) or in which there
occupied by squatters and other illegal occupants conditions that area likely to cause such deterioration.
were some of the issues identified the Shahajahanbad Conservation is applicable to areas of sound quality in
Redevelopment Corporation. Major focus is on the which the buildings are kept in good physical
Conservation and environmental sustainability, Social conditions, by means of proper maintenance including
development, urban infrastructure improvement and repairs and replacements. It consists in general
Local economic development. The formation of heat protection of the quality of such areas by preventing
island and inversion effect can be avoided by site the occurrence therein of all kinds of conditions that
landscaping, tree cover or using; land forms to have resulted in deterioration and obsolesce in
channelize wind. Landscaping can help mitigate urban redevelopment and rehabilitation areas. Particular
heat island effect, reduce ambient air temperature by conservation areas may be designated for purposes of
2-30°C and can help in reducing direct solar radiations applying the measures of conservation therein at more
[32]. They also utilized the rehabilitation and intensive level maybe generally throughout the city.
conservation methods in the Revitalization plan made Conducting campaigns of public information and
for the delineated area In Rehabilitation is applicable education of conservation measures in such areas on
to the areas in which the buildings are in structurally the part of property owners and residents of the area
sound conditions but have deteriorated because of which have been properly tabulated in Table 4.
neglect of maintenance (including repairs and periodic
Table 4: Approaches of Urban Conservation.

Approaches of Urban Conservation Places Implemented

Adaptive Reuse And Raising the funds necessary for seeing initiatives through Ahmedabad- Heritage City
Cost Recovery completion [36]
Under adaptive reuse approach, private and /or non-government
institutions are allowed to lease historic facilities for commercially
viable uses that respect their historic value and earn a profit.

Integrated Area • Modernization of economic activities within the entire urban Bhaktapur, Nepal, and
Development core Medina, Hampi
• Restoration of monuments
• Mass rehabilitation of entire housing areas

Cultural Heritage An initiative to improve the quality of life of the residents, preserving Hampi [32]
Tourism the local pride and revitalize the neighborhood.

Full Singapore provides the best of this approach since it allowed local Singapore [38]
Commercialization of redevelopment authority to acquire all plots of land located within
Historic City Centers the designated conservation areas. These plots were then sold to
commercial entitles for rehabilitation cum redevelopment as shops,
restaurants, tourist hotels, or offices.

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 82

 Approaches of Urban Conservation Places Implemented

Transfer of In order to encourage renovate rather than dem olish private owned Mumbai- South
Development Rights monum ents, the owners are provided alternative plots suitable for
development in the receiving areas.

Modernization of Revitalization of the historic urban cores of cities, otherwise Delhi Delhi walled city
Commercial Activity will almost certainly lead to the disappearance of its traditional form
of land use and economic activities this is particularly true in cases
in process of gentrification [37]

Feedback Between Singapore‘s experience is that urban revitalization leads to a Singapore [38]
Increased Land significant rise in land values.
Value And Public • Rehabilitation of the shop houses in Singapore‘s heritage
Revenue areas have caused property values to increase eight
times their pre-rehabilitation.

Tourism Attractive tourism packages, commercializing the USP, Cultural Rajasthan Circuit – Jaipur,
Heritage Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur

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How to cite this article: Chandan, Shradha and Kumar, Ashwani (2019). Review of Urban Conservation
Practices in Historic Cities. International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 10(1): 74-84.

Chandan and Kumar International Journal on Emerging Technologies 10(1): 74-84(2019) 84

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