Author: INTACH
Place: Jaipur
Publisher: INTACH
Year: 2015
Pages: 68
Subject: Urbanisation
Sub-Subject: Urban Planning/ Urban Heritage
Keyword: Historic Buildings, Urban Identity, Heritage Conservation, Urban Development
Shelf: C1R4
Accession No: B1045
Contents: Institutional Infrastructure for Urban Heritage, Integration of Heritage in Urban Renewal Framework, Revitalization of Urban Heritage Through Urban Renewal, Community Participation Approach, Generating Awareness About Heritage
Abstract: Historic buildings, through their design, materials, and form, contribute significantly to a sense of place and identity, offering contrast to the often monotonous appearance of modern urban development. Landmark structures such as temples, mosques, churches, and town halls serve as vital reference points in the built environment, while historic areas tend to maintain a human scale and exhibit evolved, sustainable townscape qualities. These areas hold valuable lessons for contemporary urban planning, yet such insights remain underutilized in India. Since independence, urban development has often led to the degradation of heritage and loss of local character. Efforts to preserve historic structures have been minimal, with the Archaeological Survey of India and state departments protecting only about 10,000 monuments—an insignificant number considering India’s vast heritage. While the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM, 2005–2014) marked a step forward by integrating heritage conservation into urban planning through toolkits and City Development Plans, implementation has been limited. There is a pressing need for stronger, more widespread efforts that recognize heritage as a resource for sustainable urban development. Clearer strategies, increased knowledge sharing, and practical action are essential to preserving India’s historic identity while addressing contemporary urban challenges.