A stroll by means of the medieval streets of Mylapore, George Town, or Karaikudi reveals a misplaced historical past, the place deserted homes and establishments, constructed over 100 years in the past, now stand in disrepair. A reimagination of heritage cities by planning authorities, in collaboration with civic society, may rejuvenate these derelict neighbourhoods.
While newfound mobility and know-how resulted in mega-cities with metros and vehicles, the medieval city, at its core, was typically deserted or subjected to densities far larger than it may take up. Recognising this predicament, the First Master Plan of Chennai moved the inner-city markets and transport hubs to Koyambedu to decongest GeorgeTown and Parrys Corner. But it was not impetus sufficient to revive its heritage precincts.
Alexander Tzonis and Liane Lefaivre — architectural theorists, authors and historians, identified for his or her interdisciplinary strategy in the direction of design principle, historical past, and political critique, leaving a long-lasting affect on architectural pedagogy and apply — focus on this city phenomenon in the context of globalisation: how fast city progress has been accountable for large-scale constructions at the price of dropping identification by means of the erasure of historic precincts.
Professor Lefaivre believes cities throughout climatic areas are starting to look alike, leading to a lack of climate-responsive and site-specific spatial identification.
Most typically, heritage buildings give manner to uniform, hermetically-sealed and air-conditioned constructions, which hardly ever reply to climate.
Sustainable structure
However, in the face of antagonistic environmental circumstances, cities throughout the world are recognising the worth of heritage in a refreshingly new context. Medieval buildings typically reveal important cultural and climatic options that hold classes for responding to inclement climate patterns, whether or not city warmth or incessant monsoons.
Vernacular structure, with its shade and pure air flow parts, creates a cooler micro-climate.
For occasion, the shaded thinnai — a semi-open transitional area — subdues the harsh impact of the solar. In the previous, it facilitated a communication between the road and residential, embodying a spirit of hospitality for guests and travellers. These parts manifested the concept of close-knit city communities and festivals. Can these heritage parts reveal insights for the design of carbon-zero cities of the future?
Lessons from Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Aspinwall constructing in Fort Kochi.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
The two elements of ‘celebrating urban life’ and ‘climate-friendly design’ are intrinsically linked. Transcending typical notions of heritage, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (to be held from December 12, 2025 to March 2026) is an unimaginable instance of how a medieval heritage city was reworked right into a vigorous cultural artwork biennale with the assist of the Kerala authorities. Medieval Kochi and Muziris are precincts with distinctive histories. The reimagination of the heritage precinct by Bose Krishnamachari — co-founder of Kochi-Muziris Biennale and recipient of Lifetime Fellowship Award from Kerala Lalit Kala Akademi — together with a bunch of artists, architects, filmmakers and citizen teams, was serendipitous.
The revival of Durbar Hall, Aspinwall and a number of other different heritage precincts in Fort Kochi supplied a brand new imaginative and prescient to an old city. Heritage houses had been transformed into homestays, cafes, artwork galleries and areas for youth to host movies and alternate concepts. The Biennale endeavoured to be open to all residents, making a newfound manner of inhabiting the metropolis. Sensitively conserved heritage dwellings, such as Durbar Hall, and different buildings enabled younger artists to exhibit their works.
Design Ashram, Kozhikode
Design Ashram in Kozhikode.
Located on Gujrati Street in Kozhikode, Design Ashram reimagines a heritage residence of an erstwhile joint household as a significant co-creative group area. The central courtyard, anchored by a peepul tree, hosts cultural occasions. The rising tree is a silent reflection of time. A backpacker’s hostel, co-working areas, library and artwork gallery present a discussion board for younger artists, architects and designers. It’s an area for travellers to alternate narratives and experiences. The inward area additionally offers autonomy and freedom to specific ideas. Film screenings, e book readings and theater form this vibrant but fragile group. Technical and engineering experience not solely prolonged the construction’s life but additionally revitalised its spatial character. Brijesh Shaijal — director and principal architect who arrange Design Ashram — launched metal reinforcements, fastidiously harmonising them with the spirit of the 150-year-old place.
Reuse of heritage buildings
The House of Mangaldas in Ahmedabad.
The blue metropolis of Jodhpur has seen the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for brand spanking new capabilities. It’s an intuitive response to preserving heritage houses whereas assembly contemporaneous wants. Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad, conventional dwellings, havelis, and pols (conventional clustered neighborhoods with shared partitions, group gates, and heritage picket havelis) stay a significant a part of the trendy metropolis. It typically sustains indigenous craft communities that represent the intangible heritage of the metropolis. The House of Mangaldas is an archetypal intervention the place a haveli has been reimagined. Built in the early Nineteen Twenties by a textile proprietor in Ahmedabad, the haveli was reworked into a restaurant, resort, serviced condo, and a design studio with a craft store. Such initiatives are sometimes community-based and reveal structure’s potential to form the re-imagination of city areas.
Alternative functions
Metropolitan Development Authorities may evolve extra acceptable heritage pointers and laws to revive heritage buildings for modern youth wants: vocational coaching, filmmaking, artwork, café-libraries, theater, science galleries, analysis, and scriptwriting workshops, and different academic and aspirational wants.
Homestays in heritage houses can present housing to visiting students and artists. The intent is to present sustainable frameworks which can be sensible and recognise the financial context.
The Connemara Public Library, Chennai.
Photo: R.Ragu
| Photo Credit:
R. RAGU
The UNESCO World Heritage Convention recognises that heritage precincts have traditionally been neglected as sustainable structure, regardless of their environmental, cultural, and financial contribution.
The 2030 Agenda by the United Nations recognises the function of heritage in sustainable improvement and its common worth.
A holistic programme of revival of heritage precincts — on this context, George Town, Triplicane, and different areas — present a possible to rejuvenate city life, whereas addressing city warmth and monsoons. Several nations have recognised the financial impetus, and are offering a sustained artistic livelihood to craft communities and permit a social cohesion. The intangible worth of those precincts contributes to city renewal and offers particular person households a brand new lease of livelihood with assist of the authorities and insurance policies. One such instance is the revival of heritage precincts in Rajasthan’s towns. It has demonstrated resilience, addressing pure disasters, heatwaves, and different dangers with minimal funding. Beyond cultural renewal, the acceptable revival of heritage—whether or not in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, or Rajasthan—has proven how towns throughout India reveal pragmatic resilience. They tackle pure disasters, heatwaves, and different dangers by means of cohesive adaptation to the native climate.
The author is an architect, academician and the founding father of Artes Roots Collaborative.
Published – May 03, 2025 11:00 am IST
