Architectural Conservation
It is process in which MATERIAL, HISTORICAL AND DESIGN integrity of mankind’s built heritage are
prolonged through carefully planned interventions.
Urban Design - Urban Planning
It is a process which addresses the larger scale of group of buildings, of streets and public spaces,
whole neighbourhoods and districts and entire cities, to make urban areas functional attractive and
sustainable.
Urban Design falls between the professions of planning and Architecture. It involves a spectrum of
social, cultural, and physical design issues. Urban design is concerned with the physical form of cities,
buildings and the space between them.
Urban Renewal
It is program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use, sometimes
also called as reconstruction. It may involve relocation of businesses, the demolition of structures, the
relocation of people and converting private property into public property. In some cases it may lead to
urban sprawl.
Urban Conservation
It combines the historical study of cities with an understanding of architecture, conservation practice,
material culture and material science, providing grounding in an area of growing significance for
planning, tourism and urban policy.
DEGREES OF INTERVENTION –
1. PREVENTION OF DETERIORATION:
• By controlling its environment
• Preventing agents of decay and damage from becoming active
• Sound maintenance procedure is very important
• Mainly external control without touching the building as such
• Regular inspection
2. PRESERVATION
• It deals directly with the cultural property
• Its object is to keep it in existing state
• Repairs must be carried out when necessary to prevent further decay
• Damage and destruction caused by water in all its forms, by chemical agents and by all types of pests
and micro-organisms must be stopped
3. CONSOLIDATION
• Consolidation is the physical addition or application of adhesives or supportive material
• Sometimes, it may entail the injection of adhesives to secure a detached mural painting to the wall.
• If the structural supports or elements have become weak consolidation in the form of new supports
may be required. Integrity of the historic structure’s structural system must be respected and its form
preserved.
• Only by understanding how an historic building acts as a “spatial environmental system” is it
possible to introduce new techniques satisfactorily
• Use of traditional skills very important; however in certain cases reversible modern techniques can
be used.
• Better to buy time when dealing with historic building in order to conserve it properly.
4. RESTORATION
• The object of restoration is to review the original concept or legibility of the object
• Respect for original material, archaeological evidence, original design and authentic documents.
• The replaced part should integrate harmoniously with the whole, but must be distinguishable on
close inspection from the original.
• Contribution from all periods must be respected
• The revealing of underlying layer can be justified only in exceptional circumstances; the material
brought to light is of great historical or archaeological values
• Restoration by anastomosis, recreation by or with original material and elements. Care to be taken
that the finished product does not look like a film set.
5. REHABLITATION
• The best way of preserving buildings as opposed to objects is to keep them in use.
• Sometimes structural rehabilitation is only done (when structural members are only are added)
• Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an old site or building for the purpose other than it
was built or designed for.
• Mainly when old buildings becomes unsuitable for their programmatic requirements
• However the original use is the best use for any heritage building, as it means fewer
changes.
• Rehabilitation emphasizes the retention and repair of historic materials, but more latitude is
provided for replacement because it is assumed that the property is more deteriorated prior to work.
6. REPRODUCTION
• Reproduction entails copying an extant artefact, often in order to replace some missing or decayed
part, generally decorative, to maintain its aesthetic harmony.
• If valuable cultural property is being damaged irretrievably or it is threatened by its environment
and a reproduction substituted in order to maintain the unity of the site or a building
• Rescue archaeology or preventive archaeology or salvage archaeology is the collection of data and
materials from the site in danger of imminent destruction, as from new construction or flooding. In
this case new construction can be dams, roads etc.,
7. RECONSTRUCTION
• Reconstruction of historic buildings using new materials may be necessitated by disasters such as
fire, earthquake or war.
• However it will never have the patina of age (showing the oldness of the structure)
• The reconstruction should always be based on accurate documentary evidence and not on
conjuncture (assumptions)
• The moving of entire buildings to the new sites is another form of reconstruction justified by
overriding national interests.
ETHICS OF CONSERVATION
o The condition of the building before any intervention and all the methods and materials used during
intervention must be fully and carefully DOCUMENTED.
o In any case historic evidence must not be destroyed, falsified or removed.
o Any intervention must be the MINIMUM necessary intervention.
o Any intervention must be governed by the unswerving respect for the aesthetic, historic and
physical INTEGRITY of cultural property.
o Any intervention should be REVERSIBLE
o It should not PREJUDICE a future intervention whenever this may become necessary
o It should not hinder the possibility of later access to all evidence incorporated in the object
o It should allow the maximum amount of existing material to be retained
o It should be HARMONIOUS in colour, tone, texture, form and scale, if additions are necessary, but
should be less noticeable than the original material, while at the same time being identifiable
o It should not be undertaken by conservators/restorers who are UNDERTRAINED AND NOT
COMPETENT.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
UNESCO – UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
UNDP – UNITED NATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
ICCROM – INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION
OF THE CULTURAL PROPERTY – ROME 1956
ICOMOS – INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON MONUMENTS AND SITES
IUCN - THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
WORLD HERITAGE SITE
• CULTURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE
• MIXED CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
• CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
• MOVABLE HERITAGE
“OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE” (O U V)
Outstanding Universal Value means cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to
transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of
all humanity It is not to be assumed that a property of national and/or regional importance will
automatically be inscribed on the World Heritage
WORLD HERITAGE SITE NOMINATION PROCESS
Stage One
A national Tentative List is prepared by the State Party. In order for a site to be nominated as a
potential World Heritage Site, it must first be on a State Party's Tentative List. A detailed nomination
dossier is prepared by those responsible
Stage Two
The nomination dossier is submitted to the World Heritage Centre, which checks that nominations are
complete. The centre may ask for additional information from the nominating State Party for the site.
Stage Three
Experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) for cultural sites and from
the World Conservation Union (IUCN) for natural sites visit the nominated site to evaluate its heritage
values, its protection and management regime, and to confirm the level of support of the various
stakeholders. The international experts prepare a technical report, which includes recommendations
for consideration by the World Heritage Committee.
Stage Four
The World Heritage Committee makes a decision on the nomination. It can inscribe the site on the
World Heritage List; refer the nomination back to the State Party for more information; defer it until
further research work is conducted; or not inscribe the site on the list. The timeframe from the
reception of a nomination dossier by the World Heritage Centre to the Committee's decision is at least
18 months.
Archaeological Survey of India
The ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological researches
and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. Maintenance of ancient monuments and
archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI. Besides, it
regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments
and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). It also regulates Antiquities and Art
Treasure Act, 1972.
Ancient Monument means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of
interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or
artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years and includes—
• Remains of an ancient monument,
• Site of an ancient monument,
• Such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or
covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, The means of access to, and convenient
inspection of, an ancient monument;
The section 2(d) defines archaeological site and remains as follows:
Archaeological site and remains means any area which contains or is reasonably believed to contain
ruins or relics of historical or archaeological importance which have been in existence for not less
than one hundred years, and includes such portion of land adjoining the area as may be required for
fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving it, and the means of access to, and convenient
inspection of the area;
Around 3650 Monuments in Total.
Protection of monuments
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the provisions of the AMASR Act, 1958 protects
monuments, sites and remains of national importance by giving a two-month notice for inviting
objections, if any in this regard.
After the specified two-month’s period, and after scrutinizing the objections, if any, received in this
regard, the ASI makes decision to bring a monument under its protection.
ASI is a large organization with an organized work force at the base and the Director General at the
apex. Its major activities is as under,
• Conducting archaeological explorations and excavations;
• Maintenance, conservation and preservation of protected monuments and archaeological sites and
remains of national importance;
• Chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains;
• Architectural survey of monuments;
• Epigraphical and Numismatic studies;
• Setting up and re-organization of Site Museums;
• Bringing out archaeological publications;
• Archaeological expeditions outside India ;
• Horticulture operation in and around ancient monuments and sites.
• Implementation and regulation of - The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains
Act, 1958;
• The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, etc.
These monuments belong to different periods, ranging from the prehistoric period to the colonial
period and are located in different geographical settings. They include temples, mosques, tombs,
churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, and secular architecture as well as
ancient mounds and sites which represent the remains of ancient habitation.
These monuments and sites are maintained and preserved through various Circles of the ASI spread
all over the country. The Circles look after the research on these monuments and conservation
activities, while the Science Branch with its headquarters at Dehradun carries out chemical
preservation and the Horticulture Branch with its headquarters at Agra is entrusted with the laying
out gardens and environmental development.
THE ORGANIZATION
It is an attached office under the Department of Culture. For the administrative convenience the entire
country is divided into 24 Circles. Each Circle is headed by several other engineers and archaeologists.
For conducting specialised archaeological researches there are also 6 Excavation Branches,
1 Prehistory Branch,
1 Building Survey Project,
2 Temple Survey Projects,
2 Epigraphy Branches,
1 Science Branch and
Underwater Archaeology Wing in the Archaeological Survey of India.
The CIRCLES:
The Circles carry out archaeological fieldwork, research activities and implement the various
provisions of the AMASR Act, 1958 and Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972. This may include the
following:
• Carrying out village-to-village survey of antiquarian remains; exploration of archaeological sites,
documentation of loose sculptures;
• Excavation of archaeological sites;
• Conservation and day-to-day maintenance of protected monuments;
• Providing basic amenities at the monuments for tourists;
• Issuing permission for filming, photography and cultural programmes at the protected monuments;
• Organising public awareness programmes on various occasions like Word Heritage Day (April 18), World
Heritage Week (November 17-25), Museum Day (May 18) and other important occasions;
• Registration of antiquities and issuing non-antiquity certificates;
• Interaction with various universities and research institutions.
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is India’s largest non-profit membership
organization dedicated to conservation and preservation of India’s natural, cultural, living, tangible and
intangible heritage. Its mission is to:
• Sensitize the public about the pluralistic cultural legacy of India;
• Instil a sense of social responsibility towards preserving our common heritage;
• Protect and conserve our living, built, and natural heritage by undertaking necessary actions and
measures;
• Document unprotected buildings of archaeological, architectural, historical and aesthetic significance;
and a cultural resource, as this is the first step towards formulating conservation plans;
• Develop heritage policy and regulations, and make legal interventions to protect our heritage when
necessary;
• Provide expertise in the field of conservation, restoration and preservation of specific works of art; and
encourage capacity building by developing skills through training programs;
• Undertake emergency response measures during natural or manmade disasters, and support local
administration whenever heritage is threatened;
• Foster collaborations, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and partnerships with government and
other national and international agencies; and
• Generate sponsorships
DIVISIONS
• Architectural Heritage
• Craft Community and Heritage
• INTACH Heritage Academy
• Documentation Centre
• Heritage Education and Communication Service
• Heritage Tourism Division
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Material Heritage
• Natural Heritage
The history of INTACH
1984 INTACH is established as a Registered Society
1985 Chapters across the country
1986 INTACH logo is finalized and registered
1989 Conservation Plan of Ekamra Kshetra
1991 Conservation Plan for Ujjain Heritage Zone
1992-3 The construction of the New Headquarters building initiated
2000 INTACH Environmental Award
2003 Chapters Guidelines
2007 INTACH gets ECOSOC special consultative status
2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Delhi
2009 INTACH Pupul Jayakar Award and Memorial lecture
2011 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Jharkhand
2012 Convenors Orientation Programme
2013 Revised Chapters Guidelines
Charter for the Conservation of Unprotected Architectural Heritage and Sites in India
1. Drawing upon the experience of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in
conserving the unprotected architectural heritage and sites of India within an institutional
framework for two decades;
2. Respecting the invaluable contributions of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State
Departments of Archaeology (SDA) in preserving the finest monuments of India;
3. Valuing ASI's pioneering role in promoting scientific methods of practice and establishing highest
standards of professionalism in preserving monuments;
4. Acknowledging the importance and relevance of principles enunciated in the various International
Charters adopted by UNESCO, ICOMOS, etc;
5. Conscious, however, that a majority of architectural heritage properties and sites in India still remains
unidentified, unclassified, and unprotected, thereby subject to attrition on account of
neglect, vandalism and insensitive development;
6. Recognizing the unique resource of the ‘living’ heritage of Master Builders / Sthapatis / Sompuras / Raj
Mistris who continue to build and care for buildings following traditions of their ancestors;
PRINCIPLES – WHY CONSERVE?
The majority of India’s architectural heritage and sites are unprotected. They constitute a unique
civilization legacy, as valuable as the monuments legally protected by ASI/ SDA and other governmental
and non-governmental agencies.
This legacy is being steadily eroded as a result of insensitive modernization and urbanization, and the fact
that it does not command the same respect as legally protected monuments.
Many unprotected heritage sites are still in use, and the manner in which they continue to be kept in use
represents the ‘living’ heritage of India.
PRINCIPLES – WHAT TO CONSERVE?
The objective of conservation is to maintain the significance of the architectural heritage or site.
Significance is constituted in both the tangible and intangible forms. The process of Listing (Article 5)
must determine the characteristics of significance and prioritise them.
The tangible heritage includes historic buildings of all periods, their setting in the historic precincts of cities
and their relationship to the natural environment. It also includes culturally significant modern buildings
and towns. The intangible heritage includes the extant culture of traditional building skills and knowledge,
rites and rituals, social life and lifestyles of the inhabitants, which together with the tangible heritage
constitutes the ‘living’ heritage. Both tangible and intangible heritage, and especially the link between
them, should be conserved.
PRINCIPLES – WHAT TO CONSERVE?
The objective of conservation is to maintain the significance of the architectural heritage or site.
Significance is constituted in both the tangible and intangible forms. The process of Listing (Article 5)
must determine the characteristics of significance and prioritise them.
The tangible heritage includes historic buildings of all periods, their setting in the historic precincts of cities
and their relationship to the natural environment. It also includes culturally significant modern buildings
and towns. The intangible heritage includes the extant culture of traditional building skills and knowledge,
rites and rituals, social life and lifestyles of the inhabitants, which together with the tangible heritage
constitutes the ‘living’ heritage. Both tangible and intangible heritage, and especially the link between
them, should be conserved.
