Architectural Conservation and Historic Preservation

This course is designed to address historic preservation and conservation as an approach that establishes a link between past, present and future. Idea is to familiarize the course participants with issues and challenges of heritage areas, about opportunities of heritage structures, sites, precincts and areas, of the need of integrating development with heritage preservation. Evolution of conservation movement, changing concepts and role and policies of various agencies involved in the field of conservation are discussed. Along with definitions and concepts of conservation and heritage, and explanation of various types of heritage, participants are introduced to the international framework of conservation and world heritage scenario. The importance of establishing significance of heritage structures is highlighted through examples. Guidelines for preservation, conservation and restoration of heritage structures, precincts and sites and the process of impact assessment are explained through various case studies. The process of evolving design guidelines for new buildings in historic settings is elaborated with the help of appropriate examples. Along with exposure to management and presentation of heritage buildings and sites, the importance of community participation in the field of heritage conservation is highlighted. An overview of the current status of conservation and preservation in India along with current policies and programmes is also discussed.
INTENDED AUDIENCE : Architect, Urban Planner, Conservation Architect, Urban Designer, Civil Engineer, Archaeologist,Artist, Musicologist, Historian, Tourism Managers, Administrators.PREREQUISITES : CoreINDUSTRY SUPPORT : Archaeological Survey, State Archaeology Departments, Tourism Departments, Public Works Departments, Development Authorities, Planning Authorities, Municipal Organisations, Local Planning Bodies, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and NGOs.

COURSE LAYOUT

Week 1: Course overview and introduction, heritage conservation- need, debate and purpose; understanding heritage and types of heritage resources, values and significance.Week 2: Significance and value assessment, approaches of conservation.Week 3: Divergent approaches and ethics of conservation; history of conservation movement; concepts and definitions; international agencies like ICCROM, UNESCO and their role in conservation.Week 4: World Heritage Sites, selection criteria, authenticity and integrity, case studies, endangered sites.Week 5: Causes of decay; listing, documentation and assessment of heritage structures, sites and precincts.Week 6: Investigation, state of preservation and preparing conservation report, case studies; guidelines for maintenance and repair.Week 7: Categories, types and issues of heritage precincts, zones and historic areas; planning for heritage districts, towns and cities; selected case studies.Week 8 : Design of new building in historic settings, townscape analysis , visual integration; heritage impact assessment; adaptive reuse of heritage structures ; organisational framework and heritage site management ,financial incentives and planning tools; role of agencies in safeguarding heritage in India ; role of voluntary organisations and community participation; interpretation and presentation of historic sites; heritage tourism; potential and opportunities of heritage conservation.