Many heritage buildings in Delhi under 'severe threat', need stronger conservation efforts: Report

Many heritage buildings and monuments in Delhi are under severe threat due to encroachment disrepair incompatible use and insensitive reconstruction or alteration and there is a need for stronger emphasis on conservation and monitoring of such assets according to the citys latest master planFrom medieval tombs to Britishera railway stations Delhi is home to several thousand heritage buildings from different periods with a certain segment identified as listed structures by the Archaeological Survey of India ASI the state government or local civic bodiesUnveiled on Thursday the Master Plan of Delhi 2047 MPD2047 while charting out a development roadmap also emphasises that the citys skyline shall develop in a planned manner while respecting the citys historic landmarks ceremonial avenues heritage areas and important view corridors and tall buildings shall complement the citys cultural and natural environmentThe over 600page vision document provides a longterm spatial economic and institutional framework to transform Delhi into a globally competitive environmentally resilient and inclusive capital combining economic dynamism technological innovation and high standards of liveability while preserving its rich historical and cultural heritageThe plan outlines six objectives to realise the vision one of which is Enhancing Heritage Culture and Public Spaces which seeks to protect and enhance heritage and cultural fabric facilitate creation of a vibrant and inclusive public realm build strong economic linkages and create opportunities for cultural experience tourism and active public lifeFor citylevel strategies for heritage management the master plan says that local bodies or concerned agencies shall set up heritage cells which will monitor and manage heritage assets identify landmark modern or industrial heritage delineate cultural precincts promote complementary economic or cultural activities conduct festivals walks etc facilitate adaptive reuse projects and set up a heritage fund to support these initiativesAlso monitoring of heritage assets maintained by respective agencies shall be done on a regular basis to assess their condition and take necessary steps towards conservation or infrastructure upgradeThe concerned agencies shall facilitate owners of heritage properties to undertake conservation of their heritage structures it saysIts a seminal vision that could help conserve many neglected heritage buildingsDelhi is one of the worlds oldest continuously inhabited cities with a rich cultural and historical legacy reflected in its 1459 identified heritage assets including World Heritage Sites protected monuments heritage buildings historic precincts and cultural landscapesMany of these heritage buildingsmonuments are under severe threat due to encroachment disrepair incompatible use and insensitive reconstructionalteration There is a need for increased emphasis on conservation and monitoring of heritage assets the master plan saysDelhi has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites Humayuns Tomb complex Red Fort complex and Qutub Minar complex which fall under the ambit of the ASI which also maintains several other sitesBesides a large number of listed structures come under the Delhi state archaeology department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi MCD especially old havelis and Britishera buildings such as the Town Hall in the Walled City and beyond in Old DelhiBuilt in the 1860s and endowed with Victorian architecture the Town Hall has suffered years of neglect and is still awaiting proper conservationDelhi is a cultural hub with both tangible and intangible heritage assets Preservation of assets and their adaptive reuse is required for preventing degradation and loss of heritage and historic fabric the plan saysThere is a need to formulate strategies to utilise this strong cultural capital to boost the economy and foster unique cultural and public spaces and acknowledge the landmark buildings as modern and industrial heritage of the city and bring them under the purview of conservation and cultural promotion it saysIn the plan areas having a high concentration of heritage assets have been identified as heritage zones defined as an area that contains a significant concentration linkage or continuity of heritage buildings structures groups or complexesThese include the Walled City including Chandni Chowk and areas within the Lutyens Bungalow Zone and within the Civil Lines Bungalow AreaThe MPD2047 also proposes development of cultural precincts defining it as a space that represents a concentration of both tangible and intangible heritage with architectural historical cultural natural and associative values within a defined areaSuch assets are connected to each other by streets and cohesive built form These precincts may be identified in urban villages and the Walled City it saysThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for 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