Delhi is a historical city, whose remnants are spread right from Mehrauli to Shahjahanabad having large number of monuments scattered all over Delhi. The built heritage of Delhi is an irreplaceable and non-renewable cultural resource. Besides being part of life for many, it has educational, recreational and major tourism potential. It enhances Delhi's environment, giving it identity and character. It encompasses culture, lifestyles, design, materials, engineering and architecture.
The Heritage Resources include symbols of successive civilizations and cities that came up over the millennia, historic buildings and complexes, historical gardens, water engineering structures and their catchments, the remains of fortified citadels, places for worship and for the deceased, historic cities and villages, unearthed heritage and their components.
The surveys conducted by the DDA & INTACH identify 1208 historical monuments in Delhi of which the Archeological Survey of India has declared 170 monuments as protected. In addition to these MCD, NDMC and the State Archaeological Department have published lists of Heritage Buildings.
The agencies concerned with the protection of Delhi's Built Heritage are ASI, GNCTD, State Archaeology Department, NDMC, MCD, Cantonment Board and DDA.
Built heritage of Delhi needs to be protected, nourished and nurtured by all citizens and passed on to the coming generations. It is suggested that with the aim of framing policies and strategies for conservation, appropriate action plans may be prepared by all the agencies. These should include promotion of conservation of the civic and urban heritage, architecturally significant historical landmarks, living monuments, memorials and historical gardens, riverfront, city wall, gates, bridges, vistas, public places, edicts and the ridge.
It is recommended that these should be suitably incorporated while preparing layout plans / schemes. In case of major monuments it is necessary that the surrounding area should be identified in the layout / detail plan, and should have building controls in relation to height, material and spread of the monuments.
It will also be necessary to maintain close interaction and coordination between all these agencies keeping in view the following objectives and requirements.
i.
Maintain and update a database.
ii.
Develop organizational capacity for heritage management.
iii.
Define all the applicable terms.
iv.
Listing of Heritage Buildings based on the following criteria:
(a)
The age of the building;
(b)
Its special value for architectural or cultural reasons or historical periods;
(c)
Its relevance to history;
(d)
Its association with a well-known character or event;
(e)
Its value as part of a group of buildings;
(f)
The uniqueness of the building or any object or structures fixed to the building or forming part of the land and comprised within the curtilage of building or forming part of the land and comprised within the curtilage of the building.
v.
Prepare guidelines for development, redevelopment, additions alterations, repairs, renovations and reuse of the heritage buildings
vi.
Implementing programmes for education and awareness.
Heritage Zone is an area, which has significant concentration, linkage or continuity of buildings, structures, groups or complexes united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development. The following areas have been identified as Heritage Zones as indicated in the Zonal Plan:
Specific heritage complex within Walled City of Delhi, Shahjahanabad.
Specific heritage complex within Lutyens Bungalow Zone.
Specific heritage complex within Nizamuddin and Humayun's Tomb Complex.
Specific heritage complex within Mehrauli area.
Specific heritage complex within Vijay Mandal - Begumpur - Sarai Shahji - Lal Gumbad
Specific heritage complex within Chirag Delhi.
However more areas can be added to this list based on studies by concerned agencies.
Archaeological Park is an area distinguishable by heritage resource and land related to such resources, which has potential to become an interpretive and educational resource for the public in addition to the value as a tourist attraction
All decisions regarding Built Heritage in general and Archeological Parks in particular should be based on evaluation of the pertinent aspects like form and design, materials and substance, use and function, traditions and techniques, location and setting, spirit and feeling and other internal and external factors.
The following areas have been designated as Archaeological Parks:
Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
Tughlaquabad Archaeological Park.
Sultan Garhi Archaeological Park.
Other areas can be added to the list on the basis of studies.
Each local body / land owning agency should formulate "Special Development Plans" for the conservation and improvement of listed heritage complexes and their appurtenant areas. Alteration or demolition of any listed heritage building is prohibited without the prior approval of the Competent Authority.
The development plans / schemes for such areas shall conform to the provisions, in respect of Conservation of Heritage Sites including Heritage Buildings, Heritage Precincts and Natural Feature Areas.
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