Project Category
Policy Documents, Documentation & Research
Project Type
Public, Government
Number of People
100000
Project Location
Urban, Peri-Urban
Issues
Education, Awareness, Contextual, Conservation, Vernaular
The report is part of a series of measures that are being undertaken by Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) towards urban conservation and heritage conservation and its awareness.
One of the first step in this direction that BPS Architects took in collaboration with RMC, was the launch of the ‘Heritage Walk’ and ‘Colonial Tour’ in early 2006. Though this movement is in its infancy, due to unavailability of grants and willingness from the authority, it is gaining momentum and there is a slow but definite sensitisation of the masses in general.
The present report is in that sense the logical second step towards the urban conservation movement. The report works under the ambit of the erstwhile JnNURM—Toolkit NO. 6. When it was done, it was the first attempt of its kind in the country.
There is an in-depth review of existing policy; infrastructure; regulations; measures taken with regards heritage conservation for Rajkot.
Further, the report details out various measures of institutional strengthening as well as actual projects.
A brief note on the eve of the launching of the walk.
To begin with we congratulate the able officers of Rajkot Municipal Corporation for the faith that they have instilled in us in allowing us to carry out this project. A mere concept, which we had given them as a proposal as “something that can be done for the city” has today materialised into what we have all gathered for. Thank you dear sir/madam.
We would like to share our views at this wonderful, and I dare say, historic, occasion of the launch of the heritage walk by the Corporation. This is the first step in what, we hope, will be an initiative towards urban conservation.
We are architects and not historians. What is important is to know what we have (in the form of our built heritage and culture), how rich it is and how to prevent it from the dereliction. Thus, the idea of a walk came about— to create awareness regarding the built heritage of the city. As of now, we don’t intend to go into the nitty-gritty of a particular building; place; structure, etc., but to understand and realise the city as a whole. The larger intention is to create a ‘sense of ownership’ and let the citizen
partake and start a conservation movement and also to make them realise the value of their own old buildings. We all should think of ‘this’ place as a city—and therein lies the fundamental challenge for the city today.
This movement; this walk; this initiative is for everybody—for the citizens, and we want as many people to attend this and to take a look at Rajkot in their own way; that is why we named this program, “Rajkot, Mari najare”.
The city is in spite of us. The fact that we are here, is many times, not in our hands. However, we can choose the kind of city we want to live in. We can make concentrated efforts towards bettering it. Sir, once again, our heartfelt gratitude for the efforts of so many people in making this a realisation and with permission, we would like to have this walk at least once a week for locals and tourist to participate.
Sincerely,
Brinda and Parth Shah. Rajkot. 10 Nov. 06
Project Details:
Client: RMC, Rajkot, Gujarat
