Architectural_conservation_Guidelines_no (1)

Architectural Conservation Chapters
Introduction
Definitions of conservation, preservation, Urban design and renewal-Need
for them-Indian Context-Role of architects in such programmes
Evolution and methodology

Origin and evolution in history-architectural heritage-required-
methodology-stages of development-implementation tools and technologies
Socio-Cultural Dimentions
Social,Cultural,Economical and historic values of conservation Programme-
involvement of community-social organization-public participation-conflict
and compatibility between conservation and development
Case-Studies
International Case studies ( aleast four) – success and failure-reasons for it-
role of UNDP,UNESCO and other funding agencies-their involvement
Legislation
Special Legislation – relevance to T & CP Act 1971- TN Heritage Bill-
constitution of authorities- administrative aspects- new concepts and
emerging trends in conservation
Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

Bibliography/Courtesy
 ICONOMS-Internal Council on monuments and sites

[http://www.icomos.org/]
[http://www.international.icomos.org]
 UNESCO [http://www.unesco.org/]
 The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
 INTACH
 Mr.Benny KurioKose
 Dr.M.S.Mathews,IIT Madras
 Dr.Binumol Tom,Thrissur
 Ar.Ramaswamy,Kollam,Kerala
 Prof.Joseph Fernado and Prof.Subbaiyan,NIT Trichy
 Ar.Kalpana,INTACH chennai
 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT
BUILDINGS SPAB

Architectural conservation
CONSERVATION:
Conservation of a Historic/ Heritage Building is the action taken to retard the process
of decay of the building in order to prolong its life so that it is available to the present
and future generations to experience and enjoy
ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION the three m’s
 MOTIVE – Why do we wish to conserve?
 MONUMENT – What are we trying to conserve?
 MANNER and MEANS – How should it be done?
The scope of Conservation
 Conservation of the built environment – mainly of historic buildings – ranges from

town planning to the preservation or consolidation of a crumbling artefact.
Skills/ Expertise required –
 Conservation Architect
 Town planner
 Urban Designer
 Structural / Civil Engineer
 Quantity surveyor
 Valuation surveyor
 Craftsman related to each material
 Archaeologist
 Art Historian
 Biologist, Chemist, physicist, Geologist and seismologist etc….

Values in Conservation
1. Emotional Value (Wonder, Identity, Spiritual & Symbolic, Continuity)
2. Cultural Values (Documentary, Historic, Archaeological, Aesthetic, Architectural,

Townscape, Landscape, Ecological, Technological & Scientific)
3. Use Values (Functional, Economic, Social, Political & Ethnic)
INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION SUGGEST:
 Minimum effective action is always the best.
 This action should be reversible and not prejudice future interventions.
THE CONSERVATION OF A BUILDING INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING:
 Respect for and conservation of the building fabric or material. The preservation
of the historicity of these materials is considered extremely important
internationally.
 Respect for and conservation of the methods of construction that are unique to
the buildings in question.
 Respect for and conservation of the original quality and perception of spaces
within the building.
 Conservation of the various elements that lend to the building its character.
Intervention
Prevention of Deterioration (Indirect Conservation)
Preservation
Consolidation (Direct Conservation)
Restoration
Rehabilitation
Reproduction
Reconstruction
Translocation

The Venice Charter
INTERNATIONAL CHARTER FOR THE CONSERVATION

AND RESTORATION OF MONUMENTS AND SITES
DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE 1. The concept of an historic monument embraces not only the single architectural work
but also the urban or rural setting in which is found the evidence of a particular civilization, a
significant development or an historic event. This applies not only to great works of art but also
to more modest works of the past which have acquired cultural significance with the passing of
time.
ARTICLE 2. The conservation and restoration of monuments must have recourse to all the
sciences and techniques which can contribute to the study and safeguarding of the architectural
heritage.
AIM
ARTICLE 3. The intention in conserving and restoring monuments is to safeguard them no less as
works of art than as historical evidence.
CONSERVATION
ARTICLE 4. It is essential to the conservation of monuments that they be maintained on a
permanent basis.
ARTICLE 5. The conservation of monuments is always facilitated by making use of them for some
socially useful purpose. Such use is therefore desirable but it must not change the lay-out or
decoration of the building. It is within these limits only that modifications demanded by a change
of function should be envisaged and may be permitted.
ARTICLE 6. The conservation of a monument implies preserving a setting which is not out of
scale. Wherever the traditional setting exists, it must be kept. No new construction, demolition or
modification which would alter the relations of mass and color must be allowed.
ARTICLE 7. A monument is inseparable from the history to which it bears witness and from the
setting in which it occurs. The moving of all or part of a monument cannot be allowed except
where the safeguarding of that monument demands it or where it is justified by national or
international interest of paramount importance.
ARTICLE 8. Items of sculpture, painting or decoration which form an integral part of a

monument may only be removed from it if this is the sole means of ensuring their preservation.

RESTORATION
ARTICLE 9. The process of restoration is a highly specialized operation. Its aim is to preserve and
reveal the aesthetic and historic value of the monument and is based on respect for original
material and authentic documents. It must stop at the point where conjecture begins, and in this
case moreover any extra work which is indispensable must be distinct from the architectural
composition and must bear a contemporary stamp. The restoration in any case must be preceded
and followed by an archaeological and historical study of the monument.
ARTICLE 10. Where traditional techniques prove inadequate, the consolidation of a monument
can be achieved by the use of any modem technique for conservation and construction, the
efficacy of which has been shown by scientific data and proved by experience.
ARTICLE 11. The valid contributions of all periods to the building of a monument must be
respected, since unity of style is not the aim of a restoration. When a building includes the
superimposed work of different periods, the revealing of the underlying state can only be
justified in exceptional circumstances and when what is removed is of little interest and the
material which is brought to light is of great historical, archaeological or aesthetic value, and its
state of preservation good enough to justify the action. Evaluation of the importance of the
elements involved and the decision as to what may be destroyed cannot rest solely on the
individual in charge of the work.
ARTICLE 12. Replacements of missing parts must integrate harmoniously with the whole, but at
the same time must be distinguishable from the original so that restoration does not falsify the
artistic or historic evidence.
ARTICLE 13. Additions cannot be allowed except in so far as they do not detract from the
interesting parts of the building, its traditional setting, the balance of its composition and its
relation with its surroundings.
HISTORIC SITES
ARTICLE 14. The sites of monuments must be the object of special care in order to safeguard their
integrity and ensure that they are cleared and presented in a seemly manner. The work of
conservation and restoration carried out in such places should be inspired by the principles set
forth in the foregoing articles.

EXCAVATIONS
ARTICLE 15. Excavations should be carried out in accordance with scientific standards and the
recommendation defining international principles to be applied in the case of archaeological
excavation adopted by UNESCO in 1956.
Ruins must be maintained and measures necessary for the permanent conservation and
protection of architectural features and of objects discovered must be taken. Furthermore, every
means must be taken to facilitate the understanding of the monument and to reveal it without
ever distorting its meaning.
All reconstruction work should however be ruled out " a priori." Only anastylosis, that is to say,
the reassembling of existing but dismembered parts can be permitted. The material used for
integration should always be recognizable and its use should be the least that will ensure the
conservation of a monument and the reinstatement of its form.
PUBLICATION
ARTICLE 16. In all works of preservation, restoration or excavation, there should always be
precise documentation in the form of analytical and critical reports, illustrated with drawings and
photographs. Every stage of the work of clearing, consolidation, rearrangement and integration,
as well as technical and formal features identified during the course of the work, should be
included. This record should be placed in the archives of a public institution and made available
to research workers. It is recommended that the report should be published.
The following persons took part in the work of the Committee for drafting the International Charter for the Conservation and
Restoration of Monuments:
Piero Gazzola (Italy), Chairman

Raymond Lemaire (Belgium), Reporter
Jose Bassegoda-Nonell (Spain)
Luis Benavente (Portugal)
Djurdje Boskovic (Yugoslavia)
Hiroshi Daifuku (UNESCO)
P.L de Vrieze (Netherlands)
Harald Langberg (Demmark)
Mario Matteucci (Italy)
Jean Merlet (France)
Carlos Flores Marini (Mexico)
Roberto Pane (Italy)
S.C.J. Pavel (Czechoslovakia)
Paul Philippot (ICCROM)
Victor Pimentel (Peru)
Harold Plenderleith (ICCROM)
Deoclecio Redig de Campos (Vatican)
Jean Sonnier (France)
Francois Sorlin (France)
Eustathios Stikas (Greece)
Mrs. Gertrud Tripp (Austria)
Jan Zachwatovicz (Poland)
Mustafa S. Zbiss (Tunisia)

GUIDELINES BY S.P.A.B
( THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS)
REPAIR NOT RESTORATION:
Although no building can withstand decay, neglect and depredation entirely, neither can
aesthetic judgment nor archaeological proof justify the reproduction of worn or missing
parts. Only as a practical expedient on a small-scale can a case for restoration be argued.
EXPERIMENTATION
Old buildings are not the place to test unproved materials
RESPONSIBLE METHODS
A repair done today should not preclude treatment tomorrow,nor should it result in
further loss of fabric.
COMPLEMENT NOT PARODY
New work should express modern needs in a modern language.These are the only terms
in which new can relate to old in a way which is positive and responsive at the same
time. If an addition proves essential. It should not be made to out-do or out-last the
original.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
This is the most practical and economic form of preservation.
INFORMATION
To repair old buildings well, they must be understood. Appreciation of a building’s

particular architectural qualities and a study of its construction, use and social
development are all enlightening. These factors also help us to see why decay sets in and
how it may be put right.
ESSENTIAL WORK
The only work which is unquestionably necessary(whether it be repair, renewal or

addition) is that essential to a building’s survival.

GUIDELINES BY S.P.A.B
( THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS)
MATERIALS
The use of architectural features from elsewhere confuses the understanding and
appreciation of the building,even making the untouched parts seem spurious.Trade in
salvaged building materials encourages the destruction of old buildings,whereas demand
for the same materials new helps keep them in production. The use of different but
compatible materials can be an honest alternative.
RESPECT FOR AGE
Bulging ,bowing,sagging and leaning are signs of age which deserve respect.Good repair
will not officiously iron them out, smarten them or hide the imperfections. Age can
confer a beauty of its own. These are qualities to care for,not blemishes to be eradicated

Adaptive reuse
The adaptive reuse of a historic building should have minimal impact on the heritage significance
of the building and its setting. Developers should gain an understanding of why the building has
heritage status, and then pursue development that is sympathetic to the building to give it a new
purpose. Adaptive reuse is self-defeating if it fails to protect the building’s heritage values.
The most successful built heritage adaptive reuse projects are those that best respect and retain
the building’s heritage significance and add a contemporary layer that provides value for the
future. Sometimes, adaptive reuse is the only way that the building’s fabric will be properly cared
for, revealed or interpreted, while making better use of the building itself. Where a building can
no longer function with its original use, a new use through adaptation may be the only way to
preserve its heritage significance.
Standard criteria to help ensure that an adaptive reuse project has minimal impact on a building’s
heritage values, such as
 discouraging facadism that is, gutting the building and retaining its façade
 requiring new work to be recognizable as contemporary, rather than a poor imitation of
the original historic style of the building and
 seeking a new use for the building that is compatible with its original use.
Case Study - Musée d'Orsay at Paris
The Railway Station... ...Turned into a Museum
The musée d'Orsay is a museum housed in a grand railway station built in 1900. Home to many
sculptures and impressionist paintings, it has become one of Paris's most popular museums.

New Railway Stations
At the turn of the 19th century, two large railway stations were built in Paris, the Gare de Lyon
and the Gare d'Orsay. The Gare d'Orsay had the most prominent site, along the Seine opposite
the Louvre. The railway station was planned by the Compagnie d'Orléans, who wanted to bring
electrified trains right into the heart of Paris.
Design
The architect first appointed was Eugène Hénard. He intended to use industrial material on the
facade facing the Louvre. Facing fierce protests from preservationists, the Compagnie d'Orléans
decided to hold a competition supervised by a parliamentary commission. The winner of this
contest was Leloux, who had also designed the railway station in Tours, France.
His design was acclaimed for the integration of the metal vault in the stone exterior. The hall
measures 140 meters long, 40 meters wide and 32 meters high. The whole structure is 175 meters
long and 75 meters wide. An impressive 12 000 ton metal was used for the construction of the
gare d'Orsay, which is well more than the amount of metal used for the Eiffel Tower.
The Railway Station...
The Gare d'Orsay was inaugurated on the 14th of July 1900 for the Paris World Exposition and
was considered a masterpiece of industrial architecture. But soon the platforms had become too
short for the now much longer trains and as early as 1939, the gare d'Orsay was out of use as a
train station. Over time it was used as a parking lot, as a shooting stand, as a theatre location and
even as a reception center for prisoners of war.
...Turned into a Museum
The train station was completely abandoned since 1961 when it was saved from demolition by
the French president Pompidou. In 1978 the president Giscard d'Estaing decided to use the gare
d'Orsay as a museum for 19th and 20th century art. It would not only contain paintings, but it
would cover different art forms, including sculptures, engravings, photos, film, architecture and
urbanism. Restoration of the musée d'Orsay, as it is now called, started in 1979 and finally on the
29th November, 1986 it was inaugurated by the French president Mitterand.

Collection
The museum contains 2300 paintings, 1500 sculptures and 1000 other objects. It covers a period
from mid 19th century till mid 20th centuries and contains works from Monet, Manet, Renoir,
Cezanne, Van Gogh and others.
SECTION OF musée d‘Orsay

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING
ENGINEERING ASPECTS
A.MATERIALS 1. Behavior of materials both old and new
2. New materials are stronger but less durable

than old materials that are weaker but more
durable
3. Hence compatibility between the two
B. STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR 1. A thorough understanding of the behavior of

the existing structure.
2. Old buildings have established patterns of

behavior due to their age that should not be
altered
3. Fresh loads should not be added as far as

possible. This applies to even finishes especially
flooring material
4. New additions including openings should be

made cautiously
5. Services should be introduced sensitively

especially plumbing and sanitary services.
DESIGN ASPECTS
 Linked to the aspects of materials and structural behavior
 Additional elements can boldly be a statement of modernity but follow the

simplicity and refinement that the old building exhibits.
 New additional buildings can also be modern but follow characteristics of scale,
proportion, rhythm, texture and overall form of the existing.
 Imitation that will create confusion between which is original and which added
should as far as possible be avoided.

A brief list of architectural conservation organizations is below:
 SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, a member of the UK's
Joint Committee of the National Amenity Societies)
 UNESCO World Heritage Centre
 Council of Europe, Architectural and Archaeological Heritage
 APT (The Association for Preservation Technology International)
 International Council on Monuments and Sites
AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSERVATION IN INDIA
 Archaeological Society of India (ASI)
 State Archaeology
 Heritage Conservation Committees(HCC)
 Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH - non-governmental )
 Voluntary organizations like Save Bombay group etc.

Cultural Heritage Tourism
Cultural Heritage Tourism is defined as
“Travel for the purpose of discovery, understanding and enjoyment of the
distinctive places, activities and artifacts that authentically represent peoples
and their stories from the past to the present.”
Five Principles of Effective Cultural Heritage Tourism

developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Heritage Tourism Program
 Ensure authenticity
 Relate community values to visitors’ needs
 Base efforts on a commitment to protecting history, culture and natural resources
 Strive to “make sites come alive”
 Ensure collaboration at the state and local levels

INTACH Charter
Introduction
Part 1: Principles
Part 2: Guidelines
Introduction
CHARTER FOR THE CONSERVATION OF UNPROTECTED ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AND

SITES IN INDIA
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;
Respecting the invaluable contributions of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State
Departments of Archaeology (SDA) in preserving the finest monuments of India;
Valuing ASI's pioneering role in promoting scientific methods of practice and establishing highest
standards of professionalism in preserving monuments;
Acknowledging the importance and relevance of principles enunciated in the various

international Charters adopted by UNESCO, ICOMOS, et al;
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;
Recognising 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;
Recognising, too, the concept of jeernodharanam, the symbiotic relationship binding the tangible
and intangible architectural heritage of India as one of the traditional philosophies underpinning
conservation practice;
Noting the growing role of a trained cadre of conservation architects in India who are re-defining
the meaning and boundaries of contemporary conservation practices;
Convinced that it is necessary to value and conserve the unprotected architectural heritage and
sites in India by formulating appropriate guidelines sympathetic to the contexts in which they are
found;

Principles of Conservation
Why Conserve? | What to Conserve? | Conservation Ethic

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.
This heritage is manifest in both tangible and intangible forms (Article 2.2), and in its
diversity defines the composite culture of the country. Beyond its role as a historic
document, this unprotected heritage embodies values of enduring relevance to
contemporary Indian society, thus making it worthy of conservation.
This ‘living’ heritage is not legally protected. The buildings and sites, which constitute it,
are subject to demolition or unsympathetic interventions. The knowledge of traditional
building skills with which it is associated is also in danger of being lost in the absence of
patronage and official recognition. Conserving the ‘living’ heritage, therefore, offers the
potential to conserve both traditional buildings and traditional ways of building.
Conserving the unprotected architectural heritage and sites ensures the survival of the
country’s sense of place and its very character in a globalizing environment. It offers the
opportunity not only to conserve the past, but also to define the future. It provides
alternate avenues for employment and a parallel market for local building materials and
technologies, which needs to be taken into account when resources for development are
severely constrained.
This ‘living’ heritage also has symbiotic relationships with the natural environments
within which it originally evolved. Understanding this interdependent ecological network
and conserving it can make a significant contribution to improving the quality of the
environment.

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.
Conservation of architectural heritage and sites must retain meaning for the society in
which it exists. This meaning may change over time, but taking it into consideration
ensures that conservation will, at all times, have a contemporary logic underpinning its
practice. This necessitates viewing conservation as a multi-disciplinary activity.
Where the evidence of the tangible or intangible architectural heritage exists in

fragments, it is necessary to conserve it, even in part, as representative of a historic past.
Such conservation must ideally be undertaken in-situ, but if this is not possible, then it
should be relocated to a place where it would be safe for continued contemplation.
Conservation in India is heir not only to Western conservation theories and principles
introduced through colonialism and, later, by the adoption of guidelines formulated by
UNESCO, ICOMOS and international funding agencies, but also to pre-existing,
indigenous knowledge systems and skills of building. These indigenous practices vary
regionally and cannot be considered as a single system operating all over India. This
necessitates viewing conservation practices as a multi-cultural activity.
While the Western ideology of conservation advocates minimal intervention, India’s

indigenous traditions idealize the opposite. Western ideology underpins official and legal
conservation practice in India and is appropriate for conserving protected monuments.
However, conserving unprotected architectural heritage offers the opportunity to use
indigenous practices. This does not imply a hierarchy of either practice or site, but
provides a rationale for encouraging indigenous practices and thus keeping them alive.
Before undertaking conservation, therefore, it is necessary to identify where one system
should be applied and where the other. For this purpose, it is necessary at the outset to
make a comprehensive inventory (see Article 5) of extant heritage, both tangible and
intangible, and separate it into two categories.

Two categories:
i Buildings and sites protected by ASI, SDA and other government or non-government
agencies. Only the official and legal instruments of conservation and internationally
accepted principles should be adopted here;
ii Other listed buildings and sites which, though not protected by ASI, SDA and other
government or non-government agencies, possessing heritage value or significance
equivalent to that of protected monuments. Here too, the official and legal instruments
should be adopted for their conservation;
The remaining listed buildings and sites both modern and historic, including those
produced within the last hundred years. Here, the conservation strategy may adopt
either the official and legal instruments of conservation or those rooted in indigenous
building traditions. Hybrid strategies, inventively combining indigenous and official
practices, can also be employed to conserve this heritage category. The decision to
adopt indigenous practices should be based on the availability of skilled and
knowledgeable raj mistris. In all cases a rationale for the decision taken to adopt one or
another system of conservation must be recorded.
The overarching objective for undertaking conservation of unprotected architectural

heritage and sites is to establish the efficacy of conservation as a development goal. What
to conserve will, therefore, be determined by those strategies of conservation, which
accommodate the imperatives of development and the welfare of the community while
seeking economically to achieve maximum protection of the significant values of the
architectural heritage and site.

Conservation Ethics
Authenticity
The traditional knowledge systems and the cultural landscape in which it exists,
particularly if these are ‘living’, should define the authenticity of the heritage value to be
conserved. In the absence of such contexts, the official and legal guidelines, particularly as
defined by the “Nara Document on Authenticity, 1994”, should determine the nature of
the authenticity of the architectural heritage and site.
Traditional knowledge systems and cultural landscapes vary from one regional/cultural
context to another or within the same region/culture. Thus, the values of ‘living’
architectural heritage can differ from one context to another, reflecting the cultural
diversity of the country. In each case, however, conservation should faithfully reflect the
significant values, which define the heritage.
Conjecture
Local master builders build, rebuild, restore, renew and make additions/alterations to
historic buildings in response to contemporary exigencies or evolving local needs of the
community; they must be encouraged to follow their traditions even when there is no
available evidence in the form of documentation, oral histories or physical remains of
previous structures. Appropriate craftspeople for undertaking such works should be
identified as described in Article 5.1.4.
An exact replacement, restoration or rebuilding must be valued when it ensures

continuity of traditional building practices.
Conjectural restoration or rebuilding must nevertheless respect the overall spatial and
volumetric composition of historic settings. The parameters of the historical setting
should be defined through comprehensive urban design studies. These parameters should
also guide new urban development in the vicinity of heritage buildings and sites.
The ASI / SDA rule prohibiting development within a 100-metre radius of a protected
building restricts the practice of restoration or rebuilding of sites, conjectural or
otherwise, and thereby may result in harming the welfare of society. This rule should not
be applied to conserve unprotected architectural heritages and sites.

Integrity
The integrity of the heritage is to be defined and interpreted not only in terms of the
physical fabric of the building, but also with respect to the collective knowledge systems
and cultural landscape it represents. This knowledge system, where it exists, must mediate
the process of conservation/ restoration/ rebuilding of the unprotected architectural
heritage in order to reinforce an appreciation of the cultural landscape. This dynamic
concept understands the integrity of the individual building as one which evolves in
response to contemporary needs of local society.
The concept of an evolving integrity accepts the introduction of new architectonic

elements, materials and technologies when local traditions are insufficient or unavailable.
The introduction of new elements may reflect contemporary aesthetic ideals as modern
additions to old buildings.
PatinaThe patination of historic fabric due to age or natural decay should not compel the
preservation of a ruin as it exists, frozen in time and space. In conformity with local
aesthetic traditions, and for the well being of the heritage building or site, renewal,
restoration, repair or rebuilding is acceptable. Patina may, where necessary, be
considered as a sacrificial layer.
Rights of the indigenous community
Each community has its own distinctive culture constituted by its traditions, beliefs, rituals
and practices - all intrinsic to defining the significance of the unprotected architectural
heritage and site. The conservation strategy must respect the fact that local cultures are
not static and, therefore, encourage active community involvement in the process of
decision-making. This will ensure that the symbiotic relation between the indigenous
community and its own heritage is strengthened through conservation.
Respect for the contributions of all periods
The contributions of earlier periods which produced the historic fabric and consequent
interventions, including contemporary interventions, based on either traditional systems
of building knowledge or modern practices, must be respected as constituting the
integrity of the heritage sought to be conserved. The objective of conserving the
unprotected architectural heritage and site is not so much to reveal the authentic quality
of the past or preserve its original integrity, but rather to mediate its evolving cultural
significance to achieve beneficial results.
The holistic coherence of the heritage in terms of its urban design, architectural
composition and the meaning it holds for the local community should determine any
intervention in the process of conservation.

Inseparable bond with setting
An unprotected heritage building or site is inseparable from its physical and cultural
context, and belongs to the local society as long as its members continue to value and
nurture it. The conservation process must be sensitive to this relationship, and reinforce
it.
If the unprotected heritage does not possess any bond with contemporary society, then
its relevance for conservation may be questioned and modern re-development may be
considered an option to meet the welfare needs of society. This decision must invariably
be taken in consultation with INTACH’s Advisory Committees as described in Article
7.2.5.
Minimal intervention
Conservation may include additions and alterations of the physical fabric, in part or
whole, in order to reinstate the meaning and coherence of the unprotected architectural
heritage and site. In the first instance, however, conservation should attempt minimal
intervention.
However, substantial additions and alterations may be acceptable provided the

significance of the heritage is retained or enhanced.
Minimal loss of fabric
The nature and degree of intervention for repairing, restoring, rebuilding, reuse or
introducing new use, should be determined on the basis of the intervention’s
contribution to the continuity of cultural practices, including traditional building skills and
knowledge, and the extent to which the changes envisaged meet the needs of the
community.
Reversibility
The principle of reversibility of interventions needs not dictate conservation strategy. In

order to use the unprotected heritage for the socio-economic regeneration of the local
communities, the historic building and site can be suitably adapted and modified for an
appropriate reuse. For this it is only essential that the process of intervention contributes
to conserving the traditional context as far as possible in the modified form. This decision
must invariably be taken in consultation with INTACH’s Advisory Committees as
described in Article 7.2.5.

Legibility
The legibility of any intervention must be viewed in its own context. If traditional
craftspeople are employed then it must be accepted that their pride derives from the fact
that the new work is in complete harmony with the old and is not distinguishable from
it. Thus, historic ways of building must be valued more than the imperative to put a
contemporary stamp on any intervention in a historic building.
Where modern material or technology is used, it could be used to replicate the old or be
distinguished from it, depending on the artistic intent governing the strategy of
conservation.
Demolish/ Rebuild
The concept of jeernodharanam, or regeneration of what decays, must guide the nature
of conservation. This belief is fundamental to conserving traditional ways of building and
maintaining the continuity of local knowledge systems.
If, however, local conditions are such that all strategies to conserve the unprotected
architectural heritage and site are found to be inadequate, then the option of replacing it
should be examined. This process is also rooted in tradition because it recognises ‘cyclical’
perceptions of time, whereby buildings live, die and are rebuilt. This option must be
discussed, debated and decided in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, including
INTACH’s Advisory Committee as described in Article 7.2.5.
Where the existence of a cultural resource is under severe threat by natural calamities or
man-made hazards, the building may be dismantled and reassembled at another
appropriate site after undertaking thorough documentation of its extant condition.
If a historic structure has outlived its significance and its meanings to local people are lost,
it may be preserved as a ruin or, if circumstances do not permit that, left undisturbed to
meet its natural end.
If removal in whole or part from the original site or context is the only means of
ensuring the security and preservation of a building, then a comprehensive
documentation of all valuable and significant components of the cultural resource must
be undertaken before it is dismantled.

Relationship between the conservation archite ct and the community
In dealing with the conservation of unprotected architectural heritage and sites, it may
become necessary to temper the role of the conservation architect as an expert
professional by taking into account the desires and aspirations of the local community
and the traditional practices of raj mistris. This does not assume, a priori, that the
interests of conservation architects and those of the community and traditional master
builders are incompatible, but rather that there must be room in the process of
conservation for dialogue and negotiated decision making.
In order to achieve a more satisfying result for the community it may be necessary to
override the professional imperative to adhere to the principles governing the
conservation of legally protected monuments. This is acceptable when dealing with
unprotected architectural heritage and sites provided, as stated in Article 2.7, that
conservation strategies seek economically to achieve maximum protection of the
significant values of the architectural heritage and site.

Guidelines
Conservation Objectives | Listing | Guidelines for Conservation
Conservation Objectives
Retain visual identity
In a globalising world, where visual spaces are rapidly becoming homogenised, it is

necessary to retain the specific visual identity of a place created by the presence of
unprotected architectural heritage and sites. Yet, this image should not be preserved in
the manner of legally protected monuments, but must accommodate the imperatives of
change in making the heritage relevant in contemporary society. The objective must be
to integrate unprotected heritage and sites into daily social life by balancing their needs
so that neither overshadows the other.
The visual cacophony created by advertisement boards, signage, hanging electric cables,
air conditioning units, dish antennas, etc. must be carefully controlled to enhance the
visual character of the architectural heritage and site. Additions of street furniture,
pavement material, lighting, signage, etc. can add to the experience and appreciation of
the heritage.
In this respect the objectives of conservation can mediate even new buildings or
neighbourhoods by requiring them to make reference to the old by employing elements,
methods and devices characterising the architectural heritage of the area so that the new
is linked with the old.
Adaptive re-use
The re-use of historic buildings and neighbourhoods is economically sensible. It is an

effective strategy to conserve architectural heritage, particularly by using traditional
craftspeople in the process. Such re-use distinguishes between preservation as an ideal on
the one hand and, on the other, the goal to prolong the useful life of architectural
heritage by retaining as much (and not necessarily, all) of the surviving evidence as a
vestigial presence.
Priority must be accorded to retaining the continuity of original functions. Any new use
must be introduced only after studying its effect on the local context, and must conform
to the carrying capacity and vulnerability of the architectural heritage.All changes to the
original fabric should be preceded and followed by comprehensive documentation.
Additions and alterations must respect the coherence of the whole, and must, to the
extent possible, engage traditional materials, skills and knowledge in the process.

When it becomes necessary to modernise and comprehensively alter the original internal
functional characteristics of the building or site, its external image must be retained.
At the outset, the local community must be made aware of the changes envisaged and
explained the benefits to be derived.
Restoration/ Replication/ Rebuilding
Restoration is an appropriate conservation strategy to reinstate the integrity or complete

the fractured ‘whole’ of the architectural heritage/ site. It must aim to convey the
meaning of the heritage in the most effective manner. It may include reassembling of
displaced and dismembered components of the structure and conjectural building or
replacement of missing or severely deteriorated parts of the fabric. Invariably, restoration
work must be preceded and followed by comprehensive documentation in order to base
interventions on informed understanding of the resource and its context, and in
conformity with contemporary practices of local craftspeople.
In consonance with traditional ideals, replication can be accepted as an appropriate

strategy not only to conserve unprotected historic buildings, but especially if such
replication encourages historic ways of building.
At the urban level, the objective of rebuilding historic structures should be to enhance the
visual and experiential quality of the built environment, thereby providing a local
distinctiveness to contest the homogenising influence of globalisation.
In addition, reconstruction/ rebuilding can provide the impetus to develop a parallel

market for local buildings materials and new opportunities for the use of alternative
systems of building.
Reconstruction based on minimal physical evidence is appropriate where it is supported

by the knowledge of local craftspeople, including folklore, beliefs, myths and legends,
rituals, customs, oral traditions, etc. The objective of this practice must be to interpret the
original meanings of the resource in the contemporary context and reinforce its bond
with society.
Employment generation
Conservation strategy must focus on the potential for employing local raj mistris, labour
and materials because this will prolong the economic viability of traditional ways of
building. In conditions of resource scarcity, the use of architectural heritage can provide
an alternate and more economic strategy to meet contemporary needs as well.

Local material and traditional technology
The use of local materials and traditional technologies must invariably be preferred. Their
choice must be based on the availability of traditional knowledge systems. Modern
substitutes should be considered only after their use is proven efficient and judicious, and
must not compromise the integrity and continuity of local building traditions.
It is necessary to recognise that the use of certain traditional building materials may be
inadvisable on account of the damage this can cause to the natural ecological systems.
Thus the use of shell lime in coastal areas and wood generally may need to be judicially
substituted with alternate materials.
Integrated conservation
Conservation of architectural heritage and sites must be integrated with the social and
economic aspirations of society. Conservation-oriented development must be the
preferred strategy for social and economic progress. This necessitates the formation of
multi-disciplinary teams to undertake integrated conservation projects. Since social
aspirations are diverse and often at odds with each other, the conservation team must
include social workers to facilitate dialogue and decision-making.
Sustainability
The objective of conservation should be to sustain the building and/or the traditional skill
and knowledge system of building. In this context, continuity must be seen as evolving
over time. The test of its validity must be the positive contribution it makes to the quality
of life of the local community.
Listing
Introduction
Through the ASI, the Central Government protects monuments more than 100 years old
declared to be of national importance. Monuments of importance to States are protected
by the respective SDAs. However, the existing legislation covers only about 5,000
monuments at the national level and approximately 3,500 at the state level. Considering
India’s vast cultural heritage, these numbers are inadequate and their focus monument-
centric.
INTACH has undertaken an inventory of built heritage in India which includes notable
buildings aged 50 years or more which are deemed to be of architectural, historical,
archaeological or aesthetic importance.

This inventory will become INTACH’s National Register of Historic Properties. It
attempts to create a systematic, accessible and retrievable inventory of the built heritage
of this country. It will serve as resource material for developing heritage conservation
policies and regulations. In due course, this database should be made more
comprehensive and the information compiled should be available online. It should also
be made compatible with similar registers of other countries to facilitate international
research.
A similar Register of Craftspeople associated with the architectural heritage must be

undertaken by specialist cultural organizations (Article 8.6.3). It is important to reiterate
that both buildings being listed and associated activities that keep these building in use
constitute the ‘living’ heritage. The Register of Craftspeople is, therefore, essential to
viewing the architectural heritage in a holistic manner.
Inventory of properties / buildings
Since a large part of India’s cultural heritage has so far remained undocumented,
preparing an inventory of heritage buildings worthy of preservation is the most
important task with which to begin the process of conservation.
The primary aim of listing is to document the fast disappearing built heritage and then
present it to scholars and the general public in a user-friendly format, which aids
conservation by generating public awareness. Once a property/ building is included in
such a list, it becomes justifiable to undertake necessary conservation activities by
formulating special regulations for its conservation or according it due protection under
Town Planning Acts. Ideally, the footprints of all listed buildings should be included in
the Master Plan documents of cities.
Buildings protected by the ASI and SDA should also be included in the list prepared by
INTACH.
Selection criteria
Although interrelated, the following three key attributes will determine whether a
property is worthy of listing:
 Historic significance
 Historic integrity
 Historic context
One or more of these attributes need to be present in a building to make it worthy of

listing.

Historic significance
Historic significance refers to the importance of a property to the history, architecture,

archaeology, engineering or culture of a community, region or nation. In selecting a
building, particular attention should be paid to the following:
 Association with events, activities or patterns.

 Association with important persons, including ordinary people who have made
significant contribution to India’s living heritage.
 Distinctive physical characteristics of design, construction or form, representing the
work of a master craftsperson.
 Potential to yield important information, such as socio-economic history. Railway
stations, town halls, clubs, markets, water works etc. are examples of such sites
 Technological innovation represented. For example: dams, bridges, etc.
 Town planning features such as squares, streets, avenues, etc. For example:
Rajpath in New Delhi.
Historic integrity
Historic integrity refers to the property’s historic identity, evidenced by the survival of
physical characteristics and significant elements that existed during the property’s historic
period. The “original” identity includes changes and additions over historic time.
Historic integrity enables a property to illustrate significant aspects of its past. Not only
must a property resemble its historic appearance, but it must also retain original
materials, design features and aspects of construction dating from the period when it
attained significance.
Historic integrity also relates to intangible values such as the building or site’s cultural
associations and traditions.
Historic context
Historic context refers to information about historic trends and properties grouped by an
important theme in the history of a community, region or nation during a particular
period of time.
Knowledge of historic context enables the public to understand a historic property as a

product of its time.

Precincts or properties with multiple owners
A historic building complex may comprise of numerous ancillary structures besides the
main structure. Each structure of the complex must be documented on individual
proformas. For example, Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas and Moti Masjid
all form part of the Agra Fort complex but are also individual buildings in their own right
and, as such, must be documented individually.
Methodology
The determination of significance is the key component of methodology. All

conservation decisions follow from the level of significance that is assigned to a building
or site.Listing work is comprised of two phases:
 Background research
 Field work
Background researchBefore commencing actual fieldwork, the lister should gather basic
information from various sources including gazetteers, travel books and other specialised
books containing information about the architecture and history of the area to be listed
and documented. This work could be done in university libraries, the ASI, the National
Museum, the Central Secretariat, the respective State Secretariats, Institutes of Advanced
Studies and Schools of Planning and Architecture. In a given area, local experts and
university scholars are resource persons who could also provide required guidance and
help.
Background research helps to ensure that no important structure or representative style

of building is left out of the list. It enables the identification of historic areas, historic
development of the area, significant events in the area and important persons associated
with the area. In some well-documented areas, distinctive physical characteristics of
design, construction or form of building resource can also be identified.
Field workFirst and foremost it is necessary to carry out a field survey to identify the
buildings and the areas to be listed. Following this, a detailed physical inspection of the
property and dialogues with appropriate local people such as the owners of the
property, area residents, local panchayats, etc. need to be undertaken. By physically
inspecting the property the lister can gather information regarding the physical fabric of
the building, such as physical characteristics, period of construction, etc. that need to be
cross-checked with the literature survey. By conducting a dialogue with area residents,
the lister can determine the changes to the property over time, ownership details, historic
function and activities, association with events and persons and the role of the property
in local, regional or national history.

When gathering information, the lister must be mindful of proforma requirements
(Article 5.12). The proforma is, first of all, a record of the property at the time of listing
and consists of current name; historic or other name(s), location, approach and
accessibility, current ownership, historic usage, and present use.
Claims of historic significance and integrity should be supported with descriptions of

special features, state of preservation, relevant dates, etc.
Mapping of vernacular architecture and historic settlements
The major shortcoming of the current list of legally protected architectural heritage is that
it does not recognise vernacular architecture and historic settlements as categories of
heritage worthy of being conserved. The listing of unprotected architectural heritage and
sites must, therefore, include this category. An example of such an inclusive document is
INTACH’s “Listing of Built Heritage of Delhi” published in 1999.
Sacred sites must be dealt with due sensitivity and knowledge of the local social and
cultural imperatives governing their sanctity. Listing must record such characteristics
associated with these sites.
Detailed format for all the structuresInformation for each building or site should be
recorded as per INTACH’s standard format as described below.
Each proforma must contain information about listers and reviewers. Listing must be
carried out by or under the supervision of experienced conservation architects.
At least one photograph of the property/ building should be recorded for identification
purposes. All significant elements of the property also need to be photographed. All
photographs should be properly catalogued.
A conceptual plan (if available, a measured drawing) should be given for each building/
area listed.
Any additional information related to or affecting the built heritage of the

city/town/region documented and its conservation should be included as appendices, for
example: laws and regulations on planning and conservation, etc.
A glossary should be provided explaining the technical and the special words used must
be provided. For example: “Imambara - a shrine/ religious structure of Shia Muslims”.
A bibliography of all books, publications, articles and unpublished work must be

provided. The uniform format should be followed throughout.

Grading
The primary objective of listing is to record extant architectural heritage and sites. But the
outcome of this process should invariably be to grade the listed heritage into a
hierarchical series.This process must be undertaken in a rigorous and transparent manner
by a multi-disciplinary team of experts whose recommendations should be available for
public scrutiny. The importance of this process cannot be underestimated because its
results determine subsequent conservation decisions. Such hierarchical categorisation
facilitates the prioritisation of decisions relating to the future of architectural heritage and
sites.
This Charter recommends that buildings and sites be classified as Grade I*, I, II and III in
descending order of importance.
Buildings and sites classified as Grade I*, I and II should be conserved in accordance with
the provisions of official and legal manuals of practice (for example, ASI’s Works
Manual). Some Grade II buildings, however, and all other listed buildings and sites, i.e.
Grade III, may be conserved in accordance with principles enunciated in this Charter
(Article 2.6). The decision to apply the principles enunciated in this Charter to Grade II
buildings must invariably be based on the concurrence of the Advisory Committees of
INTACH (Article 7.2.5).
The process of listing should be constantly upgraded and the list updated in keeping with
the availability of fresh information, financial and material resources, advances in
technology and developments in the understanding of architectural heritage and its
constituents.

Guidelines for Conservation
Guidelines for Conservation
For the present, the latest edition of INTACH’s “Guidelines for Conservation” should be
followed, unless otherwise indicated by the imperatives of this Charter. These Guidelines
should be updated by conservation architects periodically. It may also be necessary to
bring out regionspecific guidelines so that conservation practices can be sensitive to
regional material and cultural attributes.
6.2 Heritage zone
Conservation of architectural heritage sites can be undertaken in terms of the Heritage

Zone concept propagated by INTACH. In general, Heritage Zones are sensitive
development areas, which are a part of larger urban agglomeration possessing significant
evidence of heritage. The Heritage Zone concept requires that the conservation of
unprotected architectural heritage and sites must be sensitively planned, but also aligned
with the imperatives of routine development process.
Urban conservation plans must be incorporated into the statutory Master Plan of cities.
This necessitates undertaking a process of dialogue and negotiation with government
town planning departments as part of the conservation strategy. Regulations to control
or mediate development within the Heritage Zone, including new construction,
demolition or modification to existing buildings around historic structures or within
historic precincts can be formulated and incorporated within the “Special Area” provision
of the respective Town Planning Acts of different States.
Role of conservation architects
The role of the conservation architect is to provide expert advice for conserving the
architectural heritage and site. Conservation, however, is a multi-disciplinary activity and
conservation architects must work closely with professionals of other disciplines in order
to address its diverse objectives. Depending on circumstances, the conservation architect
may either lead the project team or simply participate as a team member with specific
expertise. In any event, the role of conservation architects must be clearly defined, either
by conservation architects themselves or by the initiator of the project.
Conservation architects also have an important advocacy role to play in promoting the
conservation of unprotected architectural heritage and sites. They need to catalyse
awareness both among administrators and beneficiaries to achieve the objectives of
conservation enunciated in this Charter.

Conservation of Historic Towns
The ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Historic Towns and Urban Areas is the result of 12 years
of study and development by international specialists. The document was adopted at the October
1987 meeting of the ICOMOS General Assembly in Washington, DC, and is known commonly as the
"Washington Charter." The terms of the Charter are purposefully broad; internationally, there are
many methods of planning and protection for historic urban areas, many ways that urban
development may impact on the patterns of post-industrial societies, and this diversity is addressed
in the Charter. The text of the Charter follows.
Preamble and definitions

1. All urban communities, whether they have developed gradually over time or have
been created deliberately, are an expression of the diversity of societies throughout
history.
2. This charter concerns historic urban areas, large and small, including cities, towns and
historic centres or quarters, together with their natural and man-made environments.
Beyond their role as historical documents, these areas embody the values of traditional
urban cultures. Today many such areas are being threatened, physically degraded,
damaged or even destroyed, by the impact of the urban development that follows
industrialization in societies everywhere.
3. Faced with this dramatic situation, which often leads to irreversible cultural, social and
even economic losses, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
deems it necessary to draw up an international charter for historic towns and urban areas
that will complement the "International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of
Monuments and Sites," usually referred to as "The Venice Charter." This new text defines
the principles, objectives, and methods necessary for the conservation of historic towns
and urban areas. It also seeks to promote the harmony of both private and community
life in these areas and to encourage the preservation of those cultural properties,
however modest in scale, that constitute the memory of mankind.
4. As set out in the UNESCO "Recommendation Concerning the Safeguarding and

Contemporary Role of Historic Areas" (Warsaw- Nairobi, 1976), and also in various
other international instruments, "the conservation of historic towns and urban areas" is
understood to mean those steps necessary for the protection, conservation and
restoration of such towns and areas as well as their development and harmonious
adaptation to contemporary life.

Principles and objectives
1. In order to be most effective, the conservation of historic towns and other historic urban areas
should be an integral part of coherent policies of economic and social development and of urban
and regional planning at every level.
2. Qualities to be preserved include the historic character of the town or urban area and all those
material and spiritual elements that express this character, especially:
a) urban patterns as defined by lots and streets;

b) relationships between buildings and green and open spaces;
c) the formal appearance, interior and exterior, of buildings as defined by scale, size, style,
construction, materials, colour and decoration;
d) the relationship between the town or urban area and its surrounding setting, both natural and
man-made; and
e) the various functions that the town or urban area has acquired over time.
Any threat to these qualities would compromise the authenticity of the historic town or urban
area.
3. The participation and the involvement of the residents are essential for the success of the
conservation programme and should be encouraged. The conservation of historic towns and
urban areas concerns their residents first of all.
4. Conservation in an historic town or urban area demands prudence, a systematic approach and
discipline. Rigidity should be avoided since individual cases may present specific problems.
Methods and instruments

5. Planning for the conservation of historic towns and urban areas should be preceded by
multidisciplinary studies.
 Conservation plans must address all relevant factors including archaeology, history,
architecture, techniques, sociology and economics.
 The principal objectives of the conservation plan should be clearly stated as should the
legal, administrative and financial measures necessary to attain them.
 The conservation plan should aim at ensuring a harmonious relationship between the
historic urban areas and the town as a whole.
 The conservation plan should determine which buildings must be preserved, which should
be preserved under certain circumstances and which, under quite exceptional
circumstances, might be expendable.
 Before any intervention, existing conditions in the area should be thoroughly
documented.
 The conservation plan should be supported by the residents of the historic area.

6. Until a conservation plan has been adopted, any necessary conservation activity should be
carried out in accordance with the principles and the aims of this Charter and the Venice Charter.
7. Continuing maintenance is crucial to the effective conservation of an historic town or urban

area.
8. New functions and activities should be compatible with the character of the historic town or
urban area.
Adaptation of these areas to contemporary life requires the careful installation or improvement
of public service facilities.
9. The improvement of housing should be one of the basic objectives of conservation.
10. When it is necessary to construct new buildings or adapt existing ones, the existing spatial
layout should be respected, especially in terms of scale and lot size.
The introduction of contemporary elements in harmony with the surroundings should not be
discouraged since such features can contribute to the enrichment of an area.
11. Knowledge of the history of an historic town or urban area should be expanded through
archaeological investigation and appropriate preservation of archaeological findings.
12. Traffic inside an historic town or urban area must be controlled and parking areas must be
planned so that they do not damage the historic fabric or its environment.
13. When urban or regional planning provides for the construction of major motorways, they
must not penetrate an historic town or urban area, but they should Improve access to them.
14. Historic towns should be protected against natural disasters and nuisances such as pollution
and vibrations in order to safeguard the heritage and for the security and well-being of the
residents.
Whatever the nature of a disaster affecting an historic town or urban area, preventative and
repair measures must be adapted to the specific character of the properties concerned.
15. In order to encourage their participation and involvement, a general information programme
should be set up for all residents, beginning with children of school age.
16. Specialized training should be provided for all those professions concerned with conservation.

Approach to Monuments Preservation
Causes of decay and damages to cultural property
The causes for decay can be categorized as follows

 External causes include daily temperature changes,
seasonal temperature changes, precipitation, ice and frost, and ground
water and moisture.
 Biological and botanical causes are due to animals,
birds, insects, trees and plants and fungi, mouth and lichens
 Natural disasters include earthquake, flood and fire

 Internal causes for decay are humidity, contaminated
air and neglect
 Man Made causes encompass war, pollution,
vandalism and neglect of prevention of conservation
Degrees of Intervention
* Prevention of deterioration
* Preservation of the existing State
* Consolidation of the fabric
* Restoration
* Reproduction
* Reconstruction
* Translocation

Degrees of Intervention
Prevention of deterioration
The very first step in the prevention of deterioration is the periodic cleaning of the
buildings. If it is possible, an optimum environment (temperature and humidity levels)
should be maintained inside.
Preservation of existing state

Preservation can be achieved by stopping damage due to rising moisture, chemical agents
(from atmosphere pollution) etc.and by preventing attacks by pests and microorganisms.
Consolidation of the fabric

Consolidation is the addition of new material in to the building fabric, for example
process grouting of the cracks in the walls. While adding new materials it is important
to retain the original character of the building.
Restoration
Restoration is to revive the original concept of the building. for example
replacing the missing decorative elements in the building is restoration
Rehabilitation
Putting the building to its original use is the best for conservation.But this is not always
possible. Hence the adaptive reuse of building is a good way of preserving historic
buildings.
Reproduction
Reproduction is the copying to replace missing or decayed part in order to preserve

valuable historical objects or materials
Reconstruction
This is the reconstruction of historic building using new materials. This may be
necessitated due to the destruction of building by fire, war or earthquake.
Translocation
This is a method adopted when a monument is likely to be lost by sea erosion, floods or
dams. The monument is relocated in a safe place by careful dismantling and
reassembling.

Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India (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 regulate all archaeological
activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure
Act, 1972.
For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of
national importance the entire country is divided into 24 Circles. The organization has a
large work force of trained archaeologists, conservators, epigraphist, architects and
scientists for conducting archaeological research projects through its Circles, Museums,
Excavation Branches, Prehistory Branch, Epigraphy Branches, Science Branch, Horticulture
Branch, Building Survey Project, Temple Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology
Wing.
Monuments
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 defines an ‘
Ancient Monument ’ as follows:-
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—
1. Remains of an ancient monument,

2. Site of an ancient monument,
3. 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, a
4. 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—
1. Such portion of land adjoining the area as may be required for fencing or covering
in or otherwise preserving it, and
2. The means of access to, and convenient inspection of the area;
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’s
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.
There are at present more than 3650 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and
remains of national importance. 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.

Activities
ASI is a large organization with an organized work force at the base and the Director General at the apex.
Its major activities inter-alia are 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;
 Training in Archaeology;
 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.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre
World Heritage
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to
future generations. Our cultural and natural heritages are both irreplaceable sources of
life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti,
the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of
Latin America make up our world’s heritage.
What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application.
World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory
on which they are located.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to
encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage
around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied
in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World
Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
Role of UNESCO's World Heritage
 Encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the
protection of their natural and cultural heritage
 Encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national
territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List
 Encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting

systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites
 Help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical

assistance and professional training
 Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger
 Support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage

conservation
 Encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their

cultural and natural heritage
 Encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural

and natural heritage
International organisations involved in heritage conservation
ICOMOS [US], or ICOMOS [Europe] International Council on Monuments and Sites.
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Organisation of World Heritage Cities
World Monuments Fund
EUROPA EUROPA is a common endeavour of the EU's institutions, run by the European
Commission.
European Heritage Forum
European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers' Organisations: ECCO
Expert Centre for Cultural Heritage Conservation
Heritage Conservation Network
Asian Academy for Heritage Management
The Global Development Research Center
SWAPNET Stone Weathering and Atmospheric Pollution NETwork

Recommendation on International Principles
Applicable to Archaeological Excavations
I Definitions
Archaeological excavations
1. For the purpose of the present Recommendation, by archaeological excavations is

meant any research aimed at the discovery of objects of archaeological character,
whether such research involves digging of the ground or systematic exploration of its
surface or is carried out on the bed or in the sub-soil of inland or territorial waters of a
Member State.
Property protected
2. The provisions of the present Recommendation apply to any remains, whose

preservation is in the public interest from the point of view of history or art and
architecture, each Member State being free to adopt the most appropriate criterion for
assessing the public interest of objects found on its territory. In particular, the provisions
of the present Recommendation should apply to any monuments and movable or
immovable objects of archaeological interest considered in the widest sense.
3. The criterion adopted for assessing the public interest of archaeological remains might
vary according to whether it is a question of the preservation of such property, or of the
excavator's or finder's obligation to declare his discoveries.
(a) In the former case, the criterion based on preserving all objects
originating before a certain date should be abandoned, and replaced by
one whereby protection is extended to all objects belonging to a given
period or of a minimum age fixed by law.
(b) In the latter case, each Member State should adopt far wider criteria,
compelling the excavator or finder to declare any object, of archaeological
character, whether movable or immovable, which he may discover.

II. General principles
Protection of the archaeological heritage
4. Each Member State should ensure the protection of its archaeological heritage, taking
fully into account problems arising in connexion with excavations, and in conformity
with the provisions of the present Recommendation.
5. Each Member State should in particular:
(a) Make archaeological explorations and excavations subject to prior authorization by

the competent authority;
(b) Oblige any person finding archaeological remains to declare them at the earliest
possible date to the competent authority;
(c) Impose penalties for the infringement of these regulations;
(d) Make undeclared objects subject to confiscation;
(e) Define the legal status of the archaeological sub-soil and, where State ownership of
the said sub-soil is recognized, specifically mention the fact in its legislation;
(f) Consider classifying as historical monuments the essential elements of its
archaeological heritage.
6. Although differences of tradition and unequal financial resources make it impossible

for all Member States to adopt a uniform system of organization in the administrative
services responsible for excavations, certain common principles should nevertheless apply
to all national archaeological services:
(a) The archaeological service should, so far as possible, be a central State

administration--or at any rate an organization provided by law with the
necessary means for carrying out any emergency measures that may be
required. In addition to the general administration of archaeological work,
this service should co-operate with research institutes and universities in the
technical training of excavators. This body should also set up a central
documentation, including maps, of its movable and immovable
monuments and additional documentation for every important museum or
ceramic or iconographic collection, etc.
(b) Steps should be taken to ensure in particular the regular provision of

funds: (i) to administer the services in a satisfactory manner; (ii) to carry
out a programme of work proportionate to the archaeological resources of
the country, including scientific publications; (iii) to exercise control over
accidental discoveries; (iv) to provide for the upkeep of excavation sites
and monuments.

7. Careful supervision should be exercised by each Member State over the restoration of
archaeological remains and objects discovered.
8. Prior approval should be obtained from the competent authority for the removal of
any monuments which ought to be preserved in situ.
9. Each Member State should consider maintaining untouched, partially or totally, a

certain number of archaeological sites of different periods in order that their excavation
may benefit from improved techniques and more advanced archaeological knowledge.
On each of the larger sites now being excavated, in so far as the nature of the land
permits, well defined 'witness' areas might be left unexcavated in several places in order
to allow for eventual verification of the stratigraphy and archaeological composition of
the site.
Formation of central and regional collections
10. Inasmuch as archaeology is a comparative science, account should be taken, in the

setting up and organizing of museums and reserve collections, of the need for facilitating
the work of comparison as much as possible. For this purpose, central and regional
collections might be formed or, in exceptional cases, local collections on particularly
important archaeological sites--in preference to small scattered collections, accessible to
comparatively few people. These establishments should command, on a permanent basis,
the administrative facilities and scientific staff necessary to ensure the preservation of the
exhibits.
11. On important archaeological sites, a small exhibit of an educational nature--possibly a

museum--should be set up to convey to visitors the interest of the archaeological remains.
Education of the public
12. The competent authority should initiate educational measures in order to arouse and
develop respect and affection for the remains of the past by the teaching of history, the
participation of students in certain excavations, the publication in the press of
archaeological information supplied by recognized specialists, the organization of guided
tours, exhibitions and lectures dealing with methods of excavation and results achieved,
the clear display of archaeological sites explored and monuments discovered, and the
publication of cheap and simply written monographs and guides. In order to encourage
the public to visit these sites, Member States should make all necessary arrangements to
facilitate access to them.

III. Regulations governing excavations and international collaboration
Authority to excavate granted to foreigners
13. Each Member State on whose territory excavations are to take place should lay down
general rules governing the granting of excavation concessions, the conditions to be
observed by the excavator, in particular as concerns the supervision exercised by the
national authorities, the period of the concession, the reasons which may justify its
withdrawal, the suspension of work, or its transfer from the authorized excavator to the
national archaeological service.
14. The conditions imposed upon a foreign excavator should be those applicable to
nationals. Consequently, the deed of concession should omit special stipulations which
are not imperative.
International collaboration
15. In the higher interest of archaeology and of international collaboration, Member

States should encourage excavations by a liberal policy. They might allow qualified
individuals or learned bodies, irrespective of nationality, to apply on an equal footing for
the concession to excavate. Member States should encourage excavations carried out by
joint missions of scientists from their own country and of archaeologists representing
foreign institutions, or by international missions.
Archaeological excavations
16. When a concession is granted to a foreign mission, the representative of the

conceding State--if such be appointed--should, as far as possible, also be an archaeologist
capable of helping the mission and collaborating with it.
17. Member States which lack the necessary resources for the organization of
archaeological excavations in foreign countries should be accorded facilities for sending
archaeologists to sites being worked by other Member States, with the consent of the
director of excavations.
18. A Member State whose technical or other resources are insufficient for the scientific
carrying out of an excavation should be able to call on the participation of foreign
experts or on a foreign mission to undertake it.
Reciprocal guarantees

19. Authority to carry out excavations should be granted only to institutions represented
by qualified archaeologists or to persons offering such unimpeachable scientific, moral
and financial guarantees as to ensure that any excavations will be completed in
accordance with the terms of the deed of concession and within the period laid down.
20. On the other hand, when authority to carry out excavations is granted to foreign
archaeologists, it should guarantee them a period of work long enough, and conditions
of security sufficient to facilitate their task and protect them from unjustified cancellation
of the concession in the event, for instance, of their being obliged, for reasons recognized
as valid, to interrupt their work for a given period of time.
Preservation of archaeological remains
21. The deed of concession should define the obligations of the excavator during and on
completion of his work. The deed should, in particular, provide for guarding,
maintenance and restoration of the site together with the conservation, during and on
completion of his work, of objects and monuments uncovered. The deed should
moreover indicate what help if any the excavator might expect from the conceding State
in the discharge of his obligations should these prove too onerous.
Access to excavation sites
22. Qualified experts of any nationality should be allowed to visit a site before a report
of the work is published and with the consent of the director of excavations, even during
the work. This privilege should in no case jeopardize the excavator's scientific rights in his
finds.
Assignment of finds
23.
(a) Each Member State should clearly define the principles which hold good on its
territory in regard to the disposal of finds from excavations.
(b) Finds should be used, in the first place, for building up, in the museums of the country
in which excavations are carried out, complete collections fully representative of that
country's civilization, history, art and architecture.

(c) With the main object of promoting archaeological studies through the distribution of
original material, the conceding authority, after scientific publication, might consider
allocating to the approved excavator a number of finds from his excavation, consisting of
duplicates or, in a more general sense, of objects or groups of objects which can be
released in view of their similarity to other objects from the same excavation. The return
to the excavator of objects resulting from excavations should always be subject to the
condition that they be allocated within a specified period of time to scientific centres
open to the public, with the proviso that if these conditions are not put into effect, or
cease to be carried out, the released objects will be returned to the conceding authority.
(d) Temporary export of finds, excluding objects which are exceptionally fragile or of
national importance, should be authorized on requests emanating from a scientific
institution of public or private character if the study of these finds in the conceding State
is not possible because of lack of bibliographical or scientific facilities, or is impeded by
difficulties of access.
(e) Each Member State should consider ceding to, exchanging with, or depositing in
foreign museums objects which are not required in the national collections.
Scientific rights; rights and obligations of the excavator
24. (a) The conceding State should guarantee to the excavator scientific rights in his finds
for a reasonable period.
(b) The conceding State should require the excavator to publish the results of his work
within the period stipulated in the deed, or, failing such stipulations, within a reasonable
period. This period should not exceed two years for the preliminary report. For a period
of five years following the discovery, the competent archaeological authorities should
undertake not to release the complete collection of finds, nor the relative scientific
documentation, for detailed study, without the written authority of the excavator.
Subject to the same conditions, these authorities should also prevent photographic or
other reproduction of archaeological material still unpublished. In order to allow, should
it be so desired, for simultaneous publication of the preliminary report in both countries,
the excavator should, on demand, submit a copy of his text to these authorities.
(c) Scientific publications dealing with archaeological research and issued in a language
which is not widely used should include a summary and, if possible, a list of contents and
captions of illustrations translated into some more widely known language.

Documentation on excavations
25. Subject to the provisions set out in paragraph 24, the national archaeological services
should, as far as possible, make their documentation and reserve collections of
archaeological material readily available for inspection and study to excavators and
qualified experts, especially those who have been granted a concession for a particular
site or who wish to obtain one.
Regional meetings and scientific discussions
26. In order to facilitate the study of problems of common interest, Member States
might, from time to time, convene regional meetings attended by representatives of the
archaeological services of interested States. Similarly, each Member State might encourage
excavators working on its soil to meet for scientific discussions.
IV. Trade in antiquities

27. In the higher interests of the common archaeological heritage, each Member State
should consider the adoption of regulations to govern the trade in antiquities so as to
ensure that this trade does not encourage smuggling of archaeological material or affect
adversely the protection of sites and the collecting of material for public exhibit.
28. Foreign museums should, in order to fulfil their scientific and educational aims, be
able to acquire objects which have been released from any restrictions due to the laws in
force in the country of origin.
V. Repression of clandestine excavations and of the illicit export of archaeological finds

Protection of archaeological sites against clandestine excavations and damage
29. Each Member State should take all necessary measures to prevent clandestine
excavations and damage to monuments defined in paragraphs 2 and 3 above, and also
to prevent the export of objects thus obtained.
International co-operation in repressive measures
30. All necessary measures should be taken in order that museums to which
archaeological objects are offered ascertain that there is no reason to believe that these
objects have been procured by clandestine excavation, theft or any other method
regarded as illicit by the competent authorities of the country of origin. Any suspicious
offer and all details appertaining thereto should be brought to the attention of the
services concerned. When archaeological objects have been acquired by museums,
adequate details allowing them to be identified and indicating the manner of their
acquisition should be published as soon as possible.

Return of objects to their country of origin
31. Excavation services and museums should lend one another assistance in order to
ensure or facilitate the recovery of objects derived from clandestine excavations or theft,
and of all objects exported in infringement of the legislation of the country of origin. It is
desirable that each Member State should take the necessary measures to ensure this
recovery. These principles should be applied in the event of temporary exports as
mentioned in paragraph 23(c), (d) and (e) above, if the objects are not returned within
the stipulated period.
VI. Excavations in occupied territory

32. In the event of armed conflict, any Member State occupying the territory of another
State should refrain from carrying out archaeological excavations in the occupied
territory. In the event of chance finds being made, particularly during military works, the
occupying Power should take all possible measures to protect these finds, which should
be handed over, on the termination of hostilities, to the competent authorities of the
territory previously occupied, together with all documentation relating thereto.
VII. Bilateral agreements
33. Member States should, whenever necessary or desirable, conclude bilateral
agreements to deal with matters of common interest arising out of the application of the
present Recommendation.
The foregoing is the authentic text of the Recommendation duly adopted by the General
Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
during its Ninth Session, which was held at New Delhi and declared closed the fifth day
of December 1956.

1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given a new use that maximizes the
retention of distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships. Where a
treatment and use have not been identified, a property will be protected and, if
necessary, stabilized until additional work may be undertaken.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The replacement
of intact or repairable historic materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial
relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Work
needed to stabilize, consolidate, and conserve existing historic materials and features will
be physically and visually compatible, identifiable upon close inspection, and properly
documented for future research.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will
be retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of

craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
6. The existing condition of historic features will be evaluated to determine the

appropriate level of intervention needed. Where the severity of deterioration requires
repair or limited replacement of a distinctive feature, the new material will match the old
in composition, design, color, and texture.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest

means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such r esources

must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.

1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use which reflects the
property's restoration period.
2. Materials and features from the restoration period will be retained and preserved. The
removal of materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that
characterize the period will not be undertaken.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Work
needed to stabilize, consolidate and conserve materials and features from the restoration
period will be physically and visually compatible, identifiable upon close inspection, and
properly documented for future research.
4. Materials, features, spaces, and finishes that characterize other historical periods will be
documented prior to their alteration or removal.

craftsmanship that characterize the restoration period will be preserved.
6. Deteriorated features from the restoration period will be repaired rather than
replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive
feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible,
materials.
7. Replacement o f missing features from the restoration period will be substantiated by

documentary and physical evidence. A false sense of history will not be created by
adding conjectural features, features from other properties, or by combining features that
never existed together historically.

9. Archeological resources affected by a project will be protected and preserved in place.

If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.
10. Designs that were never executed historically will not be constructed.
1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires
minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of
distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that
characterize a property will be avoided.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use.
Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural
features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will
be retained and preserved.

craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity
of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match
the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing
features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.

8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources

9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy
historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The
new work shall be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic
materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the
property and its environment.
10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in a such
a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic
property and its environment would be unimpaired
1. Reconstruction will be used to depict vanished or non-surviving portions of a property
when documentary and physical evidence is available to permit accurate reconstruction
with minimal conjecture, and such reconstruction is essential to the public understanding
of the property.
2. Reconstruction of a landscape, building, structure, or object in its historic location will

be preceded by a thorough archeological investigation to identify and evaluate those
features and artifacts which are essential to an accurate reconstruction. If such resources
3. Reconstruction will include measures to preserve any remaining historic materials,

features, and spatial relationships.
4. Reconstruction will be based on the accurate duplication of historic features and

elements substantiated by documentary or physical evidence rather than on conjectural
designs or the availability of different features from other historic properties. A
reconstructed property will re-create the appearance of the non-surviving historic
property in materials, design, color, and texture.
5. A reconstruction will be clearly identified as a contemporary re-creation.
6. Designs that were never executed historically will not be constructed.

Principles of Public Participation
Public participation in democratic society is both vital and problematic. Some public
meetings are so dysfunctional that observers end up wishing someone in charge would
bring an end to the chaos and misery. Sometimes extensive public input is sought in
numerous forums, only to have all that input ignored.
Two groups -- The International Association for Public Participation and The Community
Development Society -- have proposed excellent guidelines for public participation. Both,
however, fail to deal with the collective intelligence (and co-stupidity) dimensions of
public participation. So I've added a set of principles based on current understandings of
co-intelligence. The three lists together provide very powerful criteria for evaluating or
improving the status of public participation in any community or project.
-- Tom Atlee
The International Association for Public Participation's Core Values
1. The public should have a say in decisions about actions that affect their lives.
2. Public participation includes the promise that the public's contribution will influence
the decision.
3. The public participation process communicates the interests and meets the process
needs of all participants.
4. The public participation process seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those
potentially affected.
5. The public participation process involves participants in defining how they participate.
6. The public participation process provides participants with the information they need
to participate in a meaningful way.
7. The public participation process communicates to participants how their input affected
the decision.

The Community Development Society's Principles of Good Practice
1. Promote active and representative participation toward enabling all community

members to meaningfully influence the decisions that affect their lives.
2. Engage community members in learning about and understanding community issues,

and the economic, social, environmental, political, psychological, and other impacts
associated with alternative courses of action.
3. Incorporate the diverse interests and cultures of the community in the community
development process; and disengage from support of any effort that is likely to adversely
affect the disadvantaged members of a community.
4. Work actively to enhance the leadership capacity of community members, leaders,

and groups within the community.
5. Be open to using the full range of action strategies to work toward the long term
sustainability and well being of the community.
The Co-Intelligence Institute's Principles to Nurture Wise Democratic Process and

Collective Intelligence in Public Participation
Wise democratic processes are those which utilize a community's or society's diversity to
deepen shared understanding and produce outcomes of long-term benefit to the whole
community or society. Not all public participation serves this purpose. Public
participation can either enhance or degrade the collective intelligence and wisdom
involved in democratic processes such as making collective decisions, solving social
problems, and creating shared visions.

The principles below offer some guidance for designing wise democratic processes.
1. INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT PERSPECTIVES: The diversity of perspectives engaged in a

wise democratic process will approximate the diversity of the community of people
affected by the outcome. In addition, community wisdom and buy-in come from the fair
and creative inclusion of all relevant perspectives -- all related viewpoints, cultures,
information, experiences, needs, interests, values, contributions and dreams.
Furthermore, those who are centrally involved, peripherally involved or not involved in
a situation each have -- by virtue of their unique perspectives -- uniquely valuable
contributions to make toward the wise resolution of that situation. Creative inclusion of
perspectives generates more wisdom than mechanical inclusion of people.
2. EMPOWER THE PEOPLE'S ENGAGEMENT. To the extent people feel involved in the
creation or ratification of democratic decisions -- either directly or by recognized
representatives -- they will support the implementation of those decisions. This is
especially true to the extent they feel their agency and power in the process -- i.e., that
they clearly see the impact of their diverse contributions in the final outcome. Thus, it
serves democracy and collective intelligence when expertise and leadership are on tap to
-- and not on top of -- the decision-making processes of "We, the People" and anyone
democratically mandated by the people to care for the common welfare.
3. INVOKE MULTIPLE FORMS OF KNOWING. Community wisdom arises from the

interplay of stories (with their full emotional content), facts, principles, reason, intuition
and compassion. To the extent any one of these dominates or is missing, the outcome
will be less wise.
4. ENSURE HIGH QUALITY DIALOGUE. The supreme test of dialogue is its ability to use
commonality and diversity (including conflict) creatively. There are three tests for the
quality of dialogue towards desirable outcomes: Is it deepening understanding? Is it
building relationships? Is it expanding possibilities? Most public forums need good
facilitation to ensure high quality dialogue. For approaches to dialogue see "A toolbox of
co-intelligent processes for community work."

5. ESTABLISH ONGOING PARTICIPATORY PROCESSES. Since intelligence is the capacity
to learn, and learning is an ongoing process, collective intelligence can manifest most
powerfully in democratic processes that are ongoing, iterative, and officially recognized
by the whole community or society. One-time events (such as public hearings and
conferences that are not part of a larger ongoing democratic process) are limited in their
capacity to generate collective intelligence for a whole community or society. The
institutionalization of official periodic citizen deliberations according to these principles
maximizes collective intelligence. For examples, see "Citizen Deliberative Councils."
6. USE POSITIONS AND PROPOSALS AS GRIST. Early focus on positions and proposals
can prevent the emergence of the best possible outcomes. In general, collective
intelligence is supported by beginning with an exploratory approach which notes existing
positions, proposals and solutions as grist for exploring the situations they were created
to handle. Exploring the assumptions, interests, needs, values, visions, experiences, etc.,
that gave birth to these particular proposals tends to deepen understanding and
relationship so that new and better solutions can emerge. See "Beyond Positions: a
Politics of Civic Co-creativity."
7. HELP PEOPLE FEEL FULLY HEARD. To the extent people feel fully heard, they will be
able to hear others and, ultimately, join in collaborative deliberation and co-creative
problem-solving. Among the approaches to helping people feel fully heard are Active
Listening, Nonviolent Communication, and Dynamic Facilitation.

URBAN DESIGN AND URBAN RENEWAL
ARCHITECTURE:
Architecture is concerned with design and construction of individual buildings. The

designs are for particular sites. But for large projects the knowledge of planning is
required.
URBAN DESIGN:
Urban Design is allied to architecture and planning. The subject matter of urban design is
the arrangement of many buildings so that they form a single composition. Urban Design
is the study of the design of public realm against the private domain. Public realm means
the street, Boulevards, Squares and public parks together with building facades that
define them. Urban Designer are concerned with the private domain only so far it affects
the public realm.
Urban Design is concerned with the physical form of the public realm over a limited
physical area of the city.
Architecture is concerned with the physical form of the private realm of the individual
building.
Town and Country Planning is concerned with the organization of the private realm in
its wider context.
Definitions:
Urban Design is
…. Art of designing cities
….. a process of city building
….. designing cities without designing buildings
….. architecture of Town and cities.
….. an art of creating imageability to town.
….. concerned with town environment.
….. a public policy on development.
….. an art between architecture and town planning.

Urban design is
….. that part of the city building process which deals with aesthetics and which
determines the order and form of the city.
….. Concerned with creating servicing and managing spaces and facilities in order to
meet the physical, social and economic needs of urban inhabitants.
Urban design should aim to promote quality of life in cities along with standard of living.
URBAN RENEWAL:
Urban renewal is a process of re-planning and comprehensive redevelopment of land

structures, physical and social infrastructure as well as conservation and rehabilitation of
areas which have been or are being threatened by decline and blight or are in need of
preservation because of historical or cultural linkages, associated with a city or town.
STRATEGIES FOR URBAN RENEWAL
Urban renewal, whether for slum redevelopment and blight removal or

for the city center revival, has three universally accepted components which may exist
simultaneously or variously. These are conservation, redevelopment and rehabilitation.
Urban Conservation:
It can be defined as a process of regeneration wherein ‘old life’ patterns, physical artifacts
and cultural heritage of cities/ towns are preserved and improved for future generations.
There are various forms of conservation.
Preservation
The Preservation of the patrimony of monuments aims at keeping the latter in the best
possible condition in respect to their architectural and aesthetic, as well as historic or
archaeological values.

Restoration:
The restoration of monuments relates to the more important interventions that in

general aim at the restitution of parts seriously modified by the effects of time or man, or
elements or parts of buildings having disappeared in the course of time but perfectly
documented and well known.
Reconstruction:
Reconstruction is an intervention whose goal is an exact reconstruction of towns or

sections of towns, buildings, or important parts as a result of its having disappeared
usually as an outcome of violent events, such as attempts, wars or revolutions.
Urban Redevelopment:
In order to create a congenial and safe city, urban areas suffering from environmental
deterioration are being redeveloped. The objectives of this project are to implement
effective Urban landuse and rejuvenate the urban functions as well as to collectively
improve buildings, site and public facilities.
There are two classes within the namely based on exchange of property rights and land
purchase methods concurrently urban redevelopment by private corporations is playing
an increasingly important role in planning by improvement to stimulate domestic
demand for urban land by introducing private sector support.
Redevelopment is naturally preceded by demolition of the existing structures and

clearance of the area, it is to reconstruct the sacrificed and demolished ancient town parts
according to contemporary urban and architectural principles it can either be:
Piece – meal Redevelopment:
Isolated Buildings or structures are pulled down and replaced with new ones, whereas
the environment remains the same.
Comprehensive Redevelopment:
Large areas of urban decline or blight are cleared away and planned a new.
Obsolescence:
When a structure or space is rendered redundant or non-functional it is termed

obsolescent. This can be structural, functional, location, environmental, or economical
obsolescence.

Urban Rehabilitation:
Rehabilitation aims at regenerating towns or ancient living sections, at the same time
preserving, restoring and reviving their characteristics and urban, architectural, aesthetic
and social qualities as well as historic values. The focus therefore is on whole areas , not
just individual buildings, and so social communities, not just the physical environment.
The older housing areas, typically in the inner parts of the city and often home for lower-
income families, have physical, social, economic, and cultural values different from
suburbs and peri-city.
Rehabilitation or reuse is a process of returning a historic building or a historic quarter to

a state of utility; in other words, putting the building concerned to use. If maynot,
however, be feasible in all cases, especially in respect of religious buildings, where
religious practices have been discontinued for long due to historical and even political
reasons, and where there resumption may pose complex social problems. The next
preference is for a sympathetic or compatible use, in consonance with the original
function and also the dignity of the building, with or without adaptive alterations
through which historic and aesthetics values can be saved and brought upto
contemporary standards.
Urban Renewal Projects:
When a town has reached at an advance stage of deterioration. It becomes necessary to

adopt immediate and forceful actions to improve undesirable conditions. The drastic
measures for this purpose may include pulling down of the deteriorated structures,
carrying out extensive renovation of the buildings to be retained.redesigning the street
system, changing the pattern of land use, etc. The procedure to be followed for
implementing all such measures is termed as urban renewal project.
Following are the important aspects of an urban renewal project:
Conservation: The existing sound buildings are preserved or retained in their position by
the application of certain bye-laws and ordinances from the local authority. Such a
measure arrests the future deterioration of decent properties.
Co-operation: An urban renewal programme involves the co-operation of various

agencies such as owners of private properties, tenants, local authority and government
machinery.

Development Plan: After careful study of the present conditions, a development plan of
the town containing proposals for urban renewal is prepared and it is given wide
publicity to create public opinion in favour of its implementation.
Finance: An urban renewal project by its character and nature demands sizeable funds
spread over a number of years. Hence, its success depends on adequate provision of
finance.
Legislation: An urban renewal project should be approved by the authority concerned

and as such, it should be supported by a suitable legislative action.
Period of Project: It is desirable to carry out the urban renewal project in stages spread
over a number of years. The measures for urban renewal are divided into two classes,
namely, short-term measures and long-term measures.
Redevelopment: The area of town, which is seriously affected, is totally demolished and
it is redeveloped as per town planning concepts. The families and businesses affected by
redevelopment are resettled in other parts of the town.
Rehabilitation: The owners of substandard buildings are forced to reinstate their

properties are covered under slum clearance projects for future improvement.

Architectural conservation
Architectural conservation describes the process through which the material, historical,
and design integrity of mankind's built heritage are prolonged through carefully planned
interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural
conservator. Decisions of when and how to engage in an intervention are critical to the
ultimate conservation of the immovable object. Ultimately, the decision is value based: a
combination of artistic, contextual, and informational values is normally considered. In
some cases, a decision to not intervene may be the most appropriate choice.
Narrow definition
Architectural conservation deals with issues of prolonging the life and integrity of
architectural character and integrity, such as form and style, and/or its constituent
materials, such as stone, brick, glass, metal, and wood. In this sense, the term refers to the
"professional use of a combination of science, art, craft, and technology as a preservation
tool” and is allied with its parent fields, of historic environment conservation and art
conservation.
Broad definition
In addition to the design and art/science definition described above, architectural

conservation also refers to issues of identification, policy, regulation, and advocacy
associated with the entirety of the cultural and built environment. This broader scope
recognizes that society has mechanisms to identity and value historic cultural resources,
create laws to protect these resources, and develop policies and management plans for
interpretation, protection, and education. Typically this process operates as a specialised
aspect of a society's planning system, and its practitioners are termed historic
environment conservation professionals.

Role of Conservation Architect/ Professional ethics
ARTICLE 9: Code of Professional Commitment and Practice ( INTACH Charter)
9.1 Conservation professionals shall:
9.1.1 Ensure that their professional activities do not conflict with their general
responsibility to contribute positively to the quality of the environment and welfare of
society.
9.1.2 Apply their knowledge and skills towards the creative, responsible and economical
development of the nation and its heritage.
9.1.3 Provide professional services of a high standard, to the best of their ability.
9.1.4 Maintain a high standard of integrity.
9.1.5 Conduct themselves in a manner which is not derogatory to their professional

character, nor likely to lessen the confidence of the public in the profession, nor likely to
bring conservation professionals into disrepute.
9.1.6 Promote the profession of conservation, standards of conservation education,

research, training and practice.
9.1.7 Act with fairness and impartiality when administering a conservation contract.
9.1.8 Observe and uphold INTACH’s conditions of engagement and scale of charges,
which will be prepared in due course, in consultation with conservation professionals.
9.1.9 If in private practice, inform their client of the conditions of engagement and scale
of consultancy fee, and agree that these conditions be the basis of their appointment.
9.1.10 Not sub-commission to other professional(s) the work for which they have been
commissioned, without prior agreement of their client.
9.1.11 Not give or take discounts, commissions, gifts or other inducements for obtaining
work.
9.1.12 Compete fairly with other professional colleagues.
9.1.13 Not supplant or attempt to supplant another conservation professional.

9.1.14 Not prepare project reports in competition with other professionals for a client
without payment or for a reduced fee (except in a competition conducted in accordance
with the competition guidelines approved by INTACH).
9.1.15 Not attempt to obtain, offer to undertake or accept a commission for which they
know another professional has been selected or employed until they have evidence that
the selection, employment or agreement has been terminated, and the client has given
the previous professional written notice to that effect.
9.1.16 Allow the client to consult as many professional as desired/ required provided that
each professional so consulted is adequately compensated and that the project is in the
preliminary stages.
9.1.17 Comply with guidelines for project competitions and inform INTACH of their
appointment as assessor for a competition.
9.1.18 Not have or take as partner in their firm any person who is disqualified.
9.1.19 Provide their employees with a suitable working environment, compensate them
fairly and facilitate their professional development.
9.1.20 Recognise and respect the professional contributions of their employees.
9.1.21 Provide their associates with a suitable working environment, compensate them
fairly and facilitate their professional development.
9.1.22 Recognise and respect the professional contributions of their associates.
9.1.23 Recognise and respect the professional contributions of all consultants.
9.1.24 Enter into agreements with consultants defining the scope of their work,
responsibilities, functions, fees and mode of payment.
9.1.25 Not advertise their professional services nor allow their name to be included in
advertisements or be used for publicity purposes except under the following
circumstances:
i. Notice of change of address may be published on three occasions and correspondents

may be informed by post.

ii. Professionals may exhibit their name outside their office and on a conservation site,
either under implementation or completed, for which they are or were consultant,
provided that the lettering does not exceed 10 cm. in height and this in agreement with
the client.
iii. Advertisements including the name and address of professionals may be published in
connection with calling of tenders, staff requirements and similar matters.
iv. Professionals may allow their name to be associated with illustrations and/or
descriptions of their work in the press or public media, provided that they neither give
nor accept any compensation for such appearances.
v. Professionals may allow their name to appear in advertisements inserted in the press
by suppliers or manufacturers of materials used in a project they have undertaken,
provided that their name is included in an unostentatious manner and they neither give
nor accept any compensation for its use.
vi. Professionals may allow their name to appear in publications prepared by clients for
the purpose of advertising or promoting projects for which they have been
commissioned.
vii. Professionals may produce or publish brochures, and pamphlets describing their
experience and capabilities, for distribution to those potential clients whom they can
identify by name and position.
Viii.Professionals may allow their name to appear in the classified columns of

trade/professional directories and/ or the telephone directory.
9.1.26 When working in other countries, comply with the codes of conduct applicable
there.
9.2 If a conservation professional practices as a partner in a partnership firm or is in

charge and responsible to a company registered under the Companies Act 1956 for the
conduct of business of such company, he/she shall ensure that such partnership firm or
company, as the case may be, complies with the provisions of Article 9.1.
9.3 Violation of any of the provisions of Article 9.1 shall constitute professional
misconduct

The trulli of Alberobello - Case Study of World Heritage town
The Trulli ar e an exceptional example of a building technique that has survived from prehistoric
times until to date. This WHS consists of the Monti and A ja P iccola quarters of A lberobello, and
some individual buildings elsewhere in the town.
Tr ulli ar e built w ithout using mortar: the stones are laid on top of each other. They are also
c haracterized by their d ome-shaped r oofs. These roofs ar e in some c ases p ainted w ith a magical or
p ag an symbol.
They are everywhere in A lberobello, the Trulli. The Trulli-phenomenon c ould be considered as one big
tour ist trap, by w hich the livelihoods of a whole town ar e supported. The A ja Piccola area is less
c ommercialized than the Monti, and therefore g enerates a more authentic feeling.
Ther e ar e some exceptional Trulli in A lberobello. For example the tw o-storeyed Trullo S ovrano. It's quite
sp ac ious inside: it has several r ooms downstairs, a g arden and a sec ond floor to house g uests.
C onclusion: The town of Alberobello (Italy) is world heritage site and it’s our duty to preserve the
architectural character of the town by stopping vandalism seen in the roofs of the town.

The temple complex of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat Restoration
The great city and temples remained largely cloaked by the forest until the late 19th
century when French archaeologists began a long restoration process. From 1907 to 1970
work was under the direction of the École française d’Extrême-Orient, which cleared
away the forest, repaired foundations, and installed drains to protect the buildings from
water damage. In addition, scholars associated with the school and including George
Coedès, Maurice Glaize, Paul Mus, Philippe Stern and others initiated a program of
historical scholarship and interpretation that is fundamental to the current understanding
of Angkor.
After the end of the Cambodia civil war, Angkor Wat has seen a resumption of
conservation efforts jointly co-ordinated by the French and Japanese and UNESCO
through the International Co-ordinating Committee on the Safeguarding and
Development of the Historic Site of Angkor (ICC), while Cambodian work is carried out
by the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem
Reap (APSARA). The temple is part of the Angkor World Heritage Site, established in
1992, which has provided some funding and has encouraged the Cambodian government
to protect the site.

Some temples have been carefully taken apart stone by stone and reassembled on
concrete foundations, in accordance with the method of anastylosis. Other work involves
the repair of collapsed sections of the structure, and prevention of further collapse: the
west facade of the upper level, for example, has been buttressed by scaffolding since
2002, while a Japanese team completed restoration of the north library of the outer
enclosure in 2005.
Restoration at Baphuon Temple
German Apsara Conservation Project

Angkor Wat

Inspection of Historic Buildings
Inspection is the meticulous examination of a historic building at regular
intervals in order to identify the defects in it, so that their causes could be
diagnosed for remedial action.
Symptoms and observations noted during inspection should be recorded
systematically in the form of written reports. - Inventory
Equipments required for Preliminary inspection:
Basic:
 Writing board and note pad

 Pen and pencil
 Electric torch
 Pen knife
 Measuring tape ( 3m to 15 m )
 Plumb bob
 Brick layer’s level
 Binoculars
 Camera with flash
Additional:
 Screw driver to lift trap doors

 Small crow bar to lift manhole covers
 2kg hammer to test masonry and timber
 Magnifying glass
 Small plastic see through container to collect insect samples
 Moisture meter
 Overalls or Protective clothing gumboots
 Telescopic ladder

Qualities required for a person inspecting a historic building
 Open mind without preconceptions to read and absorb all messages
presented by the building.
 See the building in its setting and context
 Have an understanding approach than a complaining one
 Sharp use of all five senses to absorb evidence presented by the
building.
Direction of working while inspecting

 Divide the building into parts and inspect methodically
 Vertically- start from top and go to bottom
 Horizontally –work in clockwise direction
 Window jambs and vertical surfaces- describe as north, south,
east and west
 Individual rooms – start in the ceiling and work clockwise
downwards.

Inspection of roofs
Understand clearly, the roof structure, and pattern of transfer of load to the walls
Look for the following in sloping roofs
 Tilling /Broken finials
 Displaced or broken tiles/ ridge tiles
 Performance of patch/ repair works done earlier
 Growth of moss/ vegetation in gaps between tiles
 Valleys and rain water channels along slope
 Rain water collection drains/ joints along drains and down pipes
 Adequacy of overhangs over dormers,skylights and openings in roof,to cut rain
water slash
 Bird / insect / rodent proofing of dormers and roof spaces
 Large knots, shakes and radial splits in the timber of the roof support system
 Nature, size and pattern of attack by insects and fungus and residues left by them
 Joints of wooden members of roof support system to check structural movements
and stability
 Top of hip and gable walls for water ingress
 Plumb lines of hip and gable walls for deflection from the vertical plane

Look for the following in flat roofs
 Top of parapets and copings for rainwater ingress
 Flashings for seepage along meeting lines of roof and parapet
 Damaged weathering tiles and pointing between their joints
 Meeting points of weathering tiles and rain water down pipes and
residues collected at entrance to rainwater pipes
 Clogged rain water drains and down pipes
 Cracks bulging and undulations in asphaltic sheet protective
membranes
 Seepage from O H water tanks, cooling towers and plumbing lines
 Punctures in weathering layers due to structures erected on roof
 Swelling/cracking of ceiling plaster due to corrosion of reinforcement
steel
 Corrosion and decay of wooden joists and steel sections of Madras
terrace and their support ends that are embedded in the masonry
walls.

Inspection of rainwater disposal systems
 Ideal to inspect rainwater disposal systems during heavy rains as
defects will be self evident-overflowing gutters, blocked down pipes
etc.
 Dark stains or algal growth indicates leaking down pipes
 Inadequate length of down pipes leaves stains on walls below their
ends
 Inadequate projection/ angles for water spouts result in dripping along
rims and adjoining surfaces when flow of water is less
 Check for provision of rainwater bands / grooves/ along flat sunshades
or ceiling edges
 Check vegetation and plant growth at junctions and intersections of
down pipes
 Check for loose and corroded clamps supporting down pipes
 Dry leaves dropping from crowns of trees growing above terraces and
rainwater outlet points
 Check, if waste water or other disposal pipes are connected to
rainwater down pipes.

Inspection of walls and renderings
1. Walls should be physically tapped
Dull note – masonry is soft and in poor condition
Bright note – masonry is sound and good
2. Tapping lightly with pen knife reveals plastering that is come away
from the masonry.
3. Checking with a plumb bob reveals deflections from the vertical plane.
4. Cracks should be recorded and studied and tendency of movement of
masonry deduced from the tapering and angle of cracks
Simple cracks – due to routine thermal movements
Serious cracks – indications of failure
5. Cracks can be measured with

 Glass tell tales
 Embedded metal cramps
 Cement patch
6. Cracks with dark insides are old cracks, while those with clean faces
are new ones
7. Cracks in masonry at points of embedding wooden/steel joists is due
to thermal variations in the latter
8. Asymmetrical openings in masonry arches indicate deflection in the
structure of the arch

9. Discolouration of walls could be due to moisture absorption or seepage
- Patches from top moving downwards indicates defects in roof and roof
drainage system.
- Patches from below moving upward indicates rising dampness due to
capillarily.
- Patches in the middle could be due to water ingress through punctures
in walls , or penetrating dampness due to constant lashing of rain on
external walls, or due to condensation from difference in internal and
external ambient temperatures
-
10.Efflorescence could be dur to crystalline salts in the masonry coming to
the surface due to evaporation
11. Spalling or flaking of brick masonry surfaces could be due to action of

external salts on the surface
12.Plaster coming off masonry surface could be due to non-cohesion of

patch plasters done at different times using mortars of different
compositions
13.Bubbling and flaking of paints on wall surfaces painted with

impervious paints indicates egress of trapped moisture between the
wall surface and paint film.

Inspection of Joinery and glazing
 Decay of joinery often starts from bottom of frames, or from members

attached to sills and spreads from there
 Line cracks along grains of external joinery indicates over exposure to

external weathering agents, and need for shading devices
 Glazing putties in joinery tend to harden and drop off during

operation resulting in water seeping in the gaps during rains
 Security bars bored into wooden members of joinery could crack the
latter due to thermal variations
 Sagging in stained glass panels indicate thermal variations in lead

cames or snapping of binding wires holding the lead came to glazing
bars, due to corrosion.
 Differential fading and weathering of joinery and stained glass panels

is due to the intensity of natural weathering agents on the respective
sides
 Rooms that are constantly kept closed could develop problems due to
condensation

Inspection of floors
1.Timber floors need to be checked the same way as that of other wooden
members
2.Settlement of concrete backed floors could be due to
- Inadequate consolidation of filled –up earth

- Rising water levels during incessant rains due to rising ground levels
3.Dampness in floors could also be due to the same reason
4.Bulging and peeling of vinyl flooring could be due to the non porous
nature of the material and acton of moisture on the adhesive.
5. Condensation / fungus on floors could be the result of
- Lack of adequate ventilation

- Varying ambient temperatures of heating/ cooling systems

Inspection of electrical, plumbing and sanitary, heating and cooling services
 Air conditioned spaces in historic buildings sometimes develop moisture and

dampness related problems- check on large variations between inside and outside
temperatures
 Check free flow of condensed water through pipes from indoor ac diffusers to
outside
 Check intersections and junctions of all plumbing, waste water and sewage pipes
 Check supporting clamps/ brackets of all plumbing and sanitary pipes
 Check for dripping plumbing, and broken sanitary installations/ fittings
 Check adequate of slopes for easy run off of water in toilet floors
 Check conditions of pointing mortar and sealants in the joints of the toilets
 Point of exit in water seepage is not necessarily the source of the defect
 Concealed hot water pipe lines could cause condensation
 Salts in water could leave patches or even corrode the chromium plating on
fittings
 Hard water could cause ‘ zincification’ and subsequent block of brass taps/ fittings
 Check proximity of electrical points to wood work and their insulation from the
latter
 Check provision of adequate earth points for electrical lines and installations
 Check provision of switch on and off facilities at principal points in case of

emergencies
 Fire detection systems and fire fighting equipments are necessary, especially in
historic buildings where wood is abundantly used.

Inspection of immediate surroundings
 Close proximity of frequently watered plants and ventilation to

foundations could cause moisture and dampness in walls due to
capillary rise
 Worn out open drains in close proximity to buildings could be

dangerous
 Roots of large trees in close proximity to building could force and

damage the foundations
 Too much of shade from surrounding vegetation could restrict quick

drying of walls after rains, resulting in penetrating dampness
 Creepers and climbers on walls are dangerous as they affect the surface
rendering, and also act as reservoirs holding and gradually releasing
moisture into the walls
 Dried leaves dropping from crowns of trees growing over buildings

could clog rain water inlets and pipes as well as restrict quick drying of
roof after rains.

CHARTER ON THE BUILT VERNACULAR HERITAGE
( 1999)
Ratified by the ICOMOS 12th General Assembly, in Mexico, October 1999
INTRODUCTION
The built vernacular heritage occupies a central place in the affection and pride of all
peoples. It has been accepted as a characteristic and attractive product of society. It
appears informal, but nevertheless orderly. It is utilitarian and at the same time possesses
interest and beauty. It is a focus of contemporary life and at the same time a record of
the history of society. Although it is the work of man it is also the creation of time. It
would be unworthy of the heritage of man if care were not taken to conserve these
traditional harmonies which constitute the core of man's own existence.
The built vernacular heritage is important; it is the fundamental expression of the culture
of a community, of its relationship with its territory and, at the same time, the expression
of the world's cultural diversity.
Vernacular building is the traditional and natural way by which communities house
themselves. It is a continuing process including necessary changes and continuous
adaptation as a response to social and environmental constraints. The survival of this
tradition is threatened world-wide by the forces of economic, cultural and architectural
homogenisation. How these forces can be met is a fundamental problem that must be
addressed by communities and also by governments, planners, architects, conservationists
and by a multidisciplinary group of specialists.
Due to the homogenisation of culture and of global socio-economic transformation,

vernacular structures all around the world are extremely vulnerable, facing serious
problems of obsolescence, internal equilibrium and integration.
It is necessary, therefore, in addition to the Venice Charter, to establish principles for the
care and protection of our built vernacular heritage.

GENERAL ISSUES
1. Examples of the vernacular may be recognised by:
a) A manner of building shared by the community;
b) A recognisable local or regional character responsive to the

environment;
c) Coherence of style, form and appearance, or the use of

traditionally established building types;
d) Traditional expertise in design and construction which is

transmitted informally;
e) An effective response to functional, social and environmental

constraints;
f) The effective application of traditional construction systems and

crafts.
2. The appreciation and successful protection of the vernacular heritage depend on the
involvement and support of the community, continuing use and maintenance.
3. Governments and responsible authorities must recognise the right of all communities
to maintain their living traditions, to protect these through all available legislative,
administrative and financial means and to hand them down to future generations.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION
1. The conservation of the built vernacular heritage must be carried out by

multidisciplinary expertise while recognising the inevitability of change and development,
and the need to respect the community's established cultural identity.
2. Contemporary work on vernacular buildings, groups and settlements should respect

their cultural values and their traditional character.
3. The vernacular is only seldom represented by single structures, and it is best conserved
by maintaining and preserving groups and settlements of a representative character,
region by region.

4. The built vernacular heritage is an integral part of the cultural landscape and this
relationship must be taken into consideration in the development of conservation
approaches.
5. The vernacular embraces not only the physical form and fabric of buildings, structures
and spaces, but the ways in which they are used and understood, and the traditions and
the intangible associations which attach to them.
GUIDELINES IN PRACTICE
1. Research and documentation
Any physical work on a vernacular structure should be cautious and should be preceded
by a full analysis of its form and structure. This document should be lodged in a publicly
accessible archive.
2. Siting, landscape and groups of buildings
Interventions to vernacular structures should be carried out in a manner which will

respect and maintain the integrity of the siting, the relationship to the physical and
cultural landscape, and of one structure to another.
3. Traditional building systems
The continuity of traditional building systems and craft skills associated with the
vernacular is fundamental for vernacular expression, and essential for the repair and
restoration of these structures. Such skills should be retained, recorded and passed on to
new generations of craftsmen and builders in education and training.
4. Replacement of materials and parts
Alterations which legitimately respond to the demands of contemporary use should be

effected by the introduction of materials which maintain a consistency of expression,
appearance, texture and form throughout the structure and a consistency of building
materials.

5. Adaptation
Adaptation and reuse of vernacular structures should be carried out in a manner which
will respect the integrity of the structure, its character and form while being compatible
with acceptable standards of living. Where there is no break in the continuous utilisation
of vernacular forms, a code of ethics within the community can serve as a tool of
intervention.
6. Changes and period restoration
Changes over time should be appreciated and understood as important aspects of

vernacular architecture. Conformity of all parts of a building to a single period, will not
normally be the goal of work on vernacular structures.
7. Training
In order to conserve the cultural values of vernacular expression, governments,

responsible authorities, groups and organisations must place emphasis on the following:
a) Education programmes for conservators in the principles of the

vernacular;
b) Training programmes to assist communities in maintaining

traditional building systems, materials and craft skills;
c) Information programmes which improve public awareness of the

vernacular especially amongst the younger generation.
d) Regional networks on vernacular architecture to exchange

expertise and experiences.

UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
The Role of UNDP

The general operating principles and processes guide the work of UNDP- the
most important of these are its ‘programme approach’
To technical assistance, its concern to relate projects to the latest regional

and global developments and thinking, and its interest in high quality
technical monitoring and evaluation of projects.
Guiding Principle and processes
 The programme approach to technical assistance

 Comprehensiveness
 Regional and global perspectives
 Sustainability
 Innovativeness
 Process consultancy
 Capacity building
 Balance between upstream and downstream interventions
 Participation and empowerment
 Technology adaptation and integration
 Programme monitoring and evaluation

The programme approach to technical assistance
The programme approach also supports governments in their attempts to

absorb and coordinate international assistance in their short –term, medium
and long term implications.
Comprehensiveness
Comprehensiveness is a corollary of the programme approach it requires a

thorough analysis and understanding of the overall system of government.
In this way UNDP interventions can be made to exert profound influence
on major facets of public management as a whole and not just on single
sectors administrative levels or geographic areas.
Regional and global perspectives:
UNDP programmes and projects attempt to enhance understanding and

quality by providing global and regional for that bring to bear on problems
of sustainable human development the latest thinking and the most
advanced analytical tools.
Sustainability:
People sustain projects by having the skills, knowledge, motivation and

commitment necessary to keep them running, once technical assistance has
come to an end. It will call for local management capabilities and
commitment and the establishment of interorganisational links with NGOs
and the like.

Innovativeness
Innovation in public management reform should involve creative analyses of

public management problems and finding creative –not necessarily new or
complex- ways of ensuring quality services and organizational learning.
Ideally it should entail the development of solutions that are adapted to
local circumstances and take account of indigenous knowledge and practices.
Process consultancy
An important feature of the evolving UNDP culture is its preference for

process over expert models of consultancy. Process consultancy helps the
client system to change itself. Rather than providing expert diagnosis of
what is wrong and directions to correct this process consultancy promotes
an internal enquiry, inclusive of all players, into what should be and how to
bring this about.
Capacity building
The over riding aim of capacity building is to help governments and

organizations in the civil society attain a level of self sufficiency that enables
them to manage their own affairs effectively, equitably and efficiently.

Balance between upstream and downstream interventions
There is a risk inherent in concentrating on operational or downstream,

activities, their place in the broader scheme of things could be obscured by
operational detail making it difficult to ascertain their strategic location.
Nevertheless having one’s head in the sand is clearly no better or worse

than having one’s head in the clouds-the second being an obvious outcome
of an exclusive concern with upstream activities.
It is important, therefore to be able to make downstream checks of the

wisdom and efficacy of upstream decisions .A balance must be struck
between the two.
Participation and empowerment.
Mutually beneficial partnerships between government and civil society, as

already defined. UNDP has an important role to play in creating the
circumstances in which such partnerships can evolve and work.
Technology adaptation and integration
Technology is perceived by UNDP to be a matter of knowledge as well as

hardware. In both of these respects technology, particularly adapted
technology is integral to development. The relationships between
technology and employment and technology and indigenous knowledge are
particularly important to the realization.

Programme monitoring and evalution
UNDP wants its projects and programmes of assistance to operate as

effectively and efficiently as possible.
UNDP using independent consultants it critically evaluates projects before
completion and also mid term technical monitoring of projects in order to
improve their impact,effectiveness and efficiency.
These guiding principles and processes themselves impact focus to UNDP’s

endeavours to assist countries in the attainment.

The Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee
The “Athens of the South” aka Nashville, Tennessee, is home to a full-sized replica of
Greece’s famous Parthenon.
It was originally built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition and made
out of plaster, wood and brick. In the 1920’s the Tennessee Parthenon was rebuild out
of concrete.
The Parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of Centennial Park, Nashville's premier
urban park. The re-creation of the 42-foot statue Athena is the focus of the Parthenon
just as it was in ancient Greece. The building and the Athena statue are both full-scale
replicas of the Athenian originals.
Originally built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, this replica of the original
Parthenon in Athens serves as a monument to what is considered the pinnacle of classical
architecture. The plaster replicas of the Parthenon Marbles found in the Naos are direct
casts of the original sculptures which adorned the pediments of the Athenian Parthenon,
dating back to 438 B.C. The originals of these powerful fragments are housed in the
British Museum in London.
The Parthenon also serves as

the city of Nashville's art
museum. The focus of the
Parthenon's permanent
collection is a group of 63
paintings by 19th and 20th
century American artists
donated by James M. Cowan.
Additional gallery spaces
provide a venue for a variety
of temporary shows and
exhibits.
The building houses a 42-foot tall statue of Athena, much like the original in Ancient
Greece.

World Heritage Sites - Hampi
G r oup of monuments at Hampi ( 1986), Karnataka
Traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi is situated on the southern bank of the river
Tungabhadra. Once it was the seat of the mighty Vijayanagara empire.
The monuments of Vijayanagara city, also known as Vidyanagara in honour of the sage Vidyaranya were
built between AD 1336-1570, from the times of Harihara-I to Sadasiva Raya. A large number of royal
buildings were raised by Krishnadeva Raya (AD 1509-30), the greatest ruler of the dynasty. The period
witnessed resurgence of Hindu religion, art, architecture in an unprecedented scale. The contemporary
chroniclers who came from far off countries-such as Arabia, Italy, Portugal and Russia visited the empire,
have left graphic and glowing accounts of the city. It covers an area of nearly 26 sq km and is stated to be
enclosed by seven lines of fortifications.
Extensive remains of the palaces can be seen within innermost enclosure of the ancient Vijayanagara. The
various religious and secular structures which include Hindu and Jaina temples, audience hall of the king,
the magnificent throne platform to witness the festivals and other events, the king's balance (tulabhara) are
awe-inspiring.

Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings,
stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions which
include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The largest extant temple is that of Pampapati
(now in worship) was extensively renovated. Its magnificent entrance tower was caused by Krishnadeva
Raya. The Vitthala temple is an excellent example of Vijayanagara style. The monolithic statues of Lakshmi,
Narasimha and Ganesa are noted for their massiveness and grace.
The Krishna temple, Pattabhirama temple, Hazara Ramachandra and Chandrasekhara temple as also the
Jaina temples, are other examples. Majority of these temples were provided with widespread bazaars
flanked on either side by storeyed mandapas. Among secular edifices mention may be made of the Zenana
enclosure wherein a massive stone basement of the Queen's palace and an ornate pavilion called 'Lotus-
Mahal are only remnants of a luxurious antahpura. The corner towers of arresting elevation, the
Dhananayaka's enclosure (treasury), the Mahanavami Dibba carrying beautifully sculptured panels, a
variety of ponds and tanks, mandapas, the elephant's stables and the row of pillared mandapas are some
of the important architectural remains of this city.

Recent excavations at the site have brought to light a large number of palatial complexes and basements of
several platforms. Interesting finds include a large number of stone images, both in round and relief,
beautiful terracotta objects and stucco figures that once embellished the palaces. In addition many gold and
copper coins, household utensils, a square stepped-tank (sarovara) at the south-west of Mahanavami
Dibba, and a large number of ceramics including the important variety of porcelain and inscribed Buddhist
sculptures of 2nd -3rd century AD have also been unearthed.

Questions paper model 1
Architectural Conservation
Part A
 Define the term Preservation
 What do you mean by conservation
 What is Inventory?
 Write about conservation movement in india
 What is a cultural value?
 What do you understand by social value?
 Expand UNDP.
 Expand UNESCO
 What is a heritage bill?
 What is Legislation?

Part B
 Explain the role of an Architect in Urban design and renewal
programme
 Explain the different values of conservation with examples
 Explain the origin and evolution of Architectural conservation in
history.
 Explain the various stages of development in Architectural
conservation process.
 Explain any one case studies of architectural conservation programme
carried out by INTACH
 Explain the role of UNDP, UNESCO and other funding agencies and
their involvement.
 Explain the conflict and compatibility between conservation and
development.
 What are the various surveys required for conservation
 Explain the new concepts and emerging trends in conservation.
 Explain about the special legislation relevance to town and country
planning act 1971- the T N Heritage bill – constitution of authorities
and administrative aspects.

Questions paper model 2
Architectural Conservation
Part A
 Differentiate ‘Conservation’ from ‘Preservation’
 Differentiate ‘ Urban Design’ from Urban Renewal’
 What do you mean by ‘architectural Heritage’?
 Comment on the cultural value of conservation programme
 Explain the term ‘inventory’.
 Explain the term ‘Listing’
 Brief on the cultural values of historical buildings.
 Mention the role of UNDP
 List a few new concepts and trends in conservation.
 Write a brief note on ‘ TN Heritage Bill’.

Part B
 Describe the need of the conservation programmes in India with
proper justification.
 Write about the role of the architects in conservation programmes.
 Conservation evolution in India has a sequential development- justify
with proper examples
 Explain the various implementation tools and technologies adopted
towards achieving the conservation programmes in India
 The conservation programme has an inseparable relationship with the
societal and cultural value system of the people-comment on this
statement with proper justification.
 Conservation is enemy of urban development- comment on this
statement highlighting your answer with examples.
 Explain any one case study on international conservation programme
and give a critical analysis on its success and failure.
 Explain the role and involvement of the funding organizations
towards conservation programmes.
 Write elaborate notes on legislation with respect to conservation
programme in India.
 Explain the new trends and concepts in the conservation programme
in India.

The new trends and concepts in conservation
 Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings-the heritage building should be

put into compatible use according to the design of the building with
minimal intervention.eg: Adaptive reuse of havelis of jaisalmer as
hotels.
 Cultural heritage tourism – cultural heritage tourism includes
- heritage walk of city/ town/village etc.
- Sound and Light show of heritage buildings/monuments

- Ethnic food court and trip to traditional craft bazaar to experience the
craftsmen’s at work and to little bit shopping which brings revenue to
the local community.
- Cultural programmes organized by department of tourism
 Effective reuse of heritage buildings which will prolong the life due to
complete maintenance of the building.
 Compatible use of modernism/contemporary architecture in heritage

fabric.eg: Louvre museum by i.m. Pei and Streetscape design in
Amsterdam where modern street furniture and street hardware coexist
well in contrast with heritage buildings in the streetscape.
 Facadism – generally not recommended but due to growing

urbanization and demand only the façade of the heritage building is
retained and rest of building is changed to the requirement.eg: Central
railway station at Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.

Historic Materials
Mortars: Most historic mortars are lime mortars.The mortars generally
consists of lime and sand. In addition to this natural pozzolana and brick
powder were also added. When repair mortar is used, the objective must be
to develop a mortar as close to the original mortar as possible.in modern
times there is general tendency to use cement mortar. Cement mortar must
never be used for the repair of historic buildings constructed using lime
mortar. The following are the disadvantages when Portland cements is used
in the repair of historic buildings.
 Its use is not reversible. While removing, it damages buildings.

 It is too strong in compression, adhesion and tension so that it is not
compatible with the weak materials of historic buildings.
 It lacks elasticity and plasticity when compared with lime mortar, thus
throwing greater mechanical stresses on adjacent materials and
hastening their decay.
 It shrinks on setting, leaving cracks for water to enter and because it is
impermeable such water has difficulty in getting out. Therefore, it
increases defects caused by moisture.
 It produces salts on setting, which may dissolve and damage porous
and valuable materials.
The conclusion is that Portland cement should not be used for mortars and
plasters in historic buildings, but to achieve higher strength, a maximum of
10% of cement can be added to lime mortar.

Structural elements in Historic buildings
The vertical support elements mainly consist of column, piers and walls. The
materials used in these elements are generally stone and brick. The typical
stone columns used in historic buildings are tapered column and highly
articulated column in stone. The problems with stone columns are that due
to eccentricity of loading on them, crushing can occur where the fiber
stresses exceed the material strength.
Wall elements: Historic walls can be of different types. They can be broadly
classified as random rubble masonry and ashlar masonry. Generally the two
outer leaves will be of ashlar masonry and the space between them will be
filled with rubble masonry.The problem with these walls are that sometimes
the core made of rubble losses its strength and then the two outer leaves
alone will have to sustain the load. This may lead to excessive stresses in the
outer leaves and can lead to failure. Another common problem in the walls
is crack due to the settlement of the foundations.
Roofing Elements: The roofing elements can be divided into two main
groups i) roof trusses and ii) roof systems made from brick and stone.
Timber roofs have been used extensively in ancient times. In medieval times
a variety of trusses were developed by master builder.
Arch forms the basis for the barrel vault and spherical domes. Semi-circular
arches have greater vertical reactions and less horizontal thrust. A spherical
dome is generated by the rotation of a semi –circle meridian about its
vertical axis. The arches can develop cracks due to the spreading of
abutment or due to the differential settlement of one abutment. The main
problem with circular dome is the development of meridonal cracks in the
lower portion of the dome.

Heritage walk of Ahmedabad - A City Revisited
The Heritage Walk of Ahmedabadis conducted by the Ahmedabad

Municipal Corporation with NGO, CRUTA Foundation like most Indian
cities, has a long history and strong architectural and urban character.
The AMC has been, since 19th Nov1997- as a part of World Heritage
Week - conducting this Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad as a part of its
cherished project " Getting the City to the People ".
The Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad is a guided walk of two and a half

hours. This daily affair by the AMC is extremely well designed in
guidance and co-operation with CRUTA and Swaminarayan Trust,
being operationalised by a group of young volunteers. There is also a
half hour special slide show running through pages of the city's history
unfolding back its birth from a 10th century AD ancient site known as
Ashaval to the present walled city re-founded during the period of
Ahmedshah and onwards.
The walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur

and ends in the most glorious architectural legacies the Jumma Masjid,
covering in between the numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades,
workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples. Our walk effectively
anchored by our volunteer Rajesh Gajjar, proceeded from Kavi Dalpatram Chowk - which
housed the great 19th century Gujarati poet - in Lambeshwar ni Pole, to the classic reminisces of
the city's textile era - the Calico Dome to the century old Kala Ramji Mandir in the Haja Patel ni
Pole with a unique idol of Lord Rama in dark colour and in a sitting posture.
A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city, comprising numerous pols, self
contained neighborhoods, sheltering large numbers of people, traversed by narrow streets,
usually terminating in squares with community wells and chabutaras for feeding birds.
The walk moving through Doshiwada ni Pol, Zaveri Vad to Chaumukhji ni Pol saw ornate
temples with their fascinating wooden carvings hidden under plain exteriors camouflaged
beneath the aura of Mughal rule, and lanes punctuated with intriguing chabutras (bird feeders) to
a three foot wide alley leading into the 110-year old Harkunvar Shethani ni Haveli.
Moving through the historical Fernandez Bridge brought us to Manek Chowk where amidst the
deafening traffic and full of parked vehicles Rajesh told us the legend of Manek Baba after whom
the chowk was named and the Manek Baba Mandir at the site where he shrank and entered a
bottle to show his magical powers to Ahmed Shah, the founder of the City. "Heritage is the soul
of the city" remarked Ms.Parker as we walked into the Rani no Hajiro through the Badshah no
hajiro to finally culminate at the magnanimous Jama Masjid.

Archaeological Survey of India
History
From
1784 to 1861 | 1861 to 1901 | 1901 - 1947 | 1947 onwards
FROM 1784 TO 1861
Archaeological and historical pursuits in India started with the

efforts of Sir William Jones, who put together a group of
antiquarians to form the Asiatic Society on 15th January 1784 in
Calcuta. The efforts put by Jones had a long backing, of
enthusiasts and dilettantes like Tavernier, Finch and Bernier,
Thevenot, Careri, Fryer, Ovington, Hamilton, Anquetil du Perron,
Joseph Tieffenthaler, William Chamber, to name a few, who
carried out survey of monuments in various parts of India,
earlier.
This endeavour put forward by Jones culminated in the publication of a periodical journal
named, Asiatick Researches started in 1788. The journal brought to light the researches, surveys
carried out by the society to make the public aware of the antiquarian wealth of India . The
continuing fieldwork soon brought to light many antiquities and other remains which were later
housed in a museum in 1814. Later, similar societies were started at Bombay (Mumbai) in 1804
and at Madras (Chennai) in 1818.
The identification of Chandragupta Maurya with Sandrokottos of Greek historians by Jones

enabled to fix a chronological horizon of Indian history. This was followed by the identification
of Pataliputra (Palibothra of classical writings) at the confluence of the Ganga and Son. The
decipherment of Gupta and Kutila script by Charles Wilkinson was a landmark in this aspect.
Many individuals like H.T. Colebrooke, H.H. Wilson, Sir Charles Warre Malet, Lt. Manby,
William Erskine, Collin Mackenzie contributed enormously in furthering the research and
documentation.
The appointment of Francis Buchanan in 1800 by Marquis of Wellesley to survey Mysore was a
positive step by the then government. In 1807 he was engaged to survey monuments and
antiquities in parts of present day Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The repair to the monuments were
not thought of during this period and very sparsely certain monuments like Taj Mahal, Fatehpur
Sikri and Sikandara were repaired.
The Bengal Regulation XIX of 1810 was the first attempt to make the government to intervene in
case of risks to monuments through legislation.

In 1833 James Prinsep became the secretary of the Asiatic
Society. His most eventful achievement is the decipherment
of the Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts between 1834 and
1837. The identification of Piyadasi with Asoka and the
contemporary kings mentioned in his Rock Edict XIII
enabled to fix a clear chronological bench mark for Indian
history. The excavations at Manikyala stupa (now in
Bangladesh) in 1830 and in sites in the Indus – Jhelum region
in 1833 and 1834 revealed Buddhist relics and through coins
a new ruling family, the Kushanas was identified.
Many individuals who contributed enormously, included James Fergusson who carried out
extensive surveys of the rock-cut monuments in India between 1829 and 1847; Markham Kittoe
in east India discovering the Dhauli rock-edict, and his surveys in Gaya and Sarnath; Edward
Thomas in the field of numismatics; Cunningham who helped Prinsep in the investigations on the
Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythic dynasties and also explored stupas in Bhilsa, etc; Walter Eliott who
followed the work of Collin Mackenzie and copied nearly 595 inscriptions from Dharwar, Sonda
and north Mysore, also reconstructed dynastic history of Chalukyas and other south Indian
dynasties through coins; Colonel Meadows Taylor who carried out extensive surveys on the
megalithic monuments of south India; Dr. Stevenson and Dr. Bhau Daji carried out surveys of the
cave-inscriptions of western India.
Meanwhile Alexander Cunningham a Second Lieutenant of the Bengal Engineers who initially
assisted James Prinsep formulated a plan in 1848 for an Indian Archaeological Survey and placed
it before the British government, but, without success. During the same period many eventful
decisions were taken by the government on the recommendations of the Royal Asiatic Society of
the United Kingdom . Upon these recommendations, the Indian government sanctioned a small
amount for repairs to the monuments. Lord Hardinge initiated a system approving proposals
submitted by individuals based on their research and knowledge of Indian antiquities. Some of
them were Markham Kittoe, for conducting operations in Bihar and Banares; Major F. Maisey,
for drawing the antiquities at Kalinjar and sculptures at Sanchi and Captain Gill to copy the
paintings of Ajanta Caves; Lt. Brett to take impressions of the cave-inscriptions. The following
years saw the uprising of the Indian soldiers and the First War of Indian Independence in 1857
virtually put a standstill of archaeological pursuits.

FROM 1861 TO 1901
The fresh proposal put by Alexander Cunningham was given due attention by Lord Canning,
who sanctioned a scheme of survey in northern India . It was defined as: - “an accurate
description-illustrated by plans, measurements, drawings or photographs and by copies of
inscriptions-of such remains as deserve notice, with the history of them so far as it may be
traceable, and a record of the traditions that are retained regarding them”.
Cunningham was appointed as the first Archaeological Surveyor from December 1861. He
surveyed areas stretching from Gaya in the east to the Indus in the northwest, and from Kalsi in
the north to the Narmada in the south, between 1861 and 1865. For this, he largely followed the
footsteps of the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. However, the endeavours came to a sudden halt
due to the abolition of the Archaeological Survey in 1866 by Lord Lawrence. In the meanwhile
however an act (XX) was passed in 1863, which vested powers with the government ‘to prevent
injury to and preserve buildings remarkable for their antiquity or for their historical or
architectural value’.
Lord Lawrence based on the suggestions by the then Secretary of State, Sir Stafford Northcote,
called on the local governments to list historical buildings and obtain photographs of them. This
was later followed by instructions to prepare casts of important buildings to understand the
different architectural styles of India . The work was entrusted to four independent parties in
Bombay , Madras , Bengal and the Northwestern Provinces . Individuals like Sykes and Burgess in
Bombay; Lt. H.H. Cole in Kashmir, Mathura and other places; Rajendralal Mitra in Orissa
contributed a lot under this scheme.

The attention of the government for undertaking repairs and conservation, protecting the ancient
monuments from falling into disuse was not drawn until Duke of Argyll, the new Secretary of
State, advised the Government of India to establish a central department to tackle the
archaeological problems of the whole country. He also stressed on the need for conservation of
monuments stating that it was the bounden duty of the Government ‘to prevent its own servants
from wantonly accelerating the decay’ of monuments.
The Archaeological Survey was revived as a distinct department of the government and
Cunningham was appointed as Director General who assumed his charge in February 1871. The
department was entrusted with the task of doing - ‘a complete search over the whole country,
and a systematic record and description of all architectural and other remains that are either
remarkable for their antiquity, or their beauty or their historical interest’.
Cunningham was also entrusted - ‘to direct his attention to the preparation of a brief summary of
the labours of former enquirers and of the results which had already been obtained and to the
formulation of a general scheme of systematic enquiry for the guidance of a staff of assistance in
present and future researches’.
Cunningham was given two assistants J.D. Beglar and A.C. Carlleyle who were later joined by
H.B.W. Garrik. Cunningham resumed surveys in Delhi and Agra in 1871; in 1872 he surveyed
Rajputana, Bundelkhand, Mathura , Bodh Gaya and Gaur; in 1873, Panjab; between 1873 and
1877, Central Province , Bundelkhand and Malwa. To initiate the survey in a systematic way
Alexander Cunningham chose to record the Buddhist finds and monuments by plotting them on
a map so as to understand the ancient trade route.
The surveys of Cunningham led to several discoveries such as monolithic capitals and other
remains of Asoka, specimens of architecture of Gupta and post-Gupta period; great stupa of
Bharhut; identification of ancient cities namely: Sankisa, Sravasti and Kausambi. He also brought
to prominence the Gupta temples at Tigawa, Bilsar, Bhitargaon, Kuthra, Deogarh and Gupta
inscriptions at Eran, Udayagiri and other places.
The founding of the journal Indian Antiquary in 1872 by James Burgess enabled publication of
important inscriptions and their decipherment by scholars like Buhler and Fleet, Eggeling and
Rice, Bhandarkar and Indraji. Cunningham also brought a new volume known as Corpus
Inscriptionum Indicarum which was aimed at publishing inscriptions of connected epigraphical
material in a compact and handy volume. On the proposal of Cunningham to set up an
Epigraphical Survey to meet the growing demand of deciphering and interpreting the inscriptions,
the government appointed J.F. Fleet as Government Epigraphist in January 1883 for a period of
three years. Fleet extensively surveyed and brought to light many new inscriptions and also
solved the problem related to Gupta era and he set up a new pattern and standard for the
publication process of inscriptions which is followed even today.
Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar R anganathan
The enactment of the Treasure Trove Act, 1878 was a landmark in the confiscation and safety of
treasures and antiquities found during chance digging. Lytton in 1878 observed that conservation
of ancient monuments cannot be exclusively left to the charge of the Provincial Governments as
directed by the Central Government in 1873 and this has to be brought under the purview of the
Government of India. Thus regard Major H.H. Cole was appointed as Curator of ancient
monuments during the period of Ripon in 1881 to assist the Provincial and Central government in
all matters related to conservation of monuments. He produced many preliminary reports on the
monuments of Bombay , Madras , Rajputana, Hyderabad , Panjab and the Northwestern
Provinces . Again the conservation work was assigned to the local governments when the tenure
of Cole ended in 1883.
By the time Cunningham retired in 1885 he recommended to the government to abolish the post
of Director General and reorganise north India into three independent circles, viz., Panjab, Sind
and Rajputana; Northwestern Provinces (Uttar Pradesh) and Central Provinces; and Bengal
including Bihar, Orissa, Assam and Chhota Nagpur, each managed by a Surveyor with a staff of
two assistants and two draftsmen. The regions of Madras , Bombay and Hyderabad were
recommended to be placed under Burgess and epigraphy under Fleet. Thus Bengal came under
Beglar, Northwestern Provinces under Major J.B. Keith with Dr. A. Fuhrer as his assistant, Panjab
came under C.J. Rodgers.
The other important events during this period was the extensive surveys carried out by Burgess in
western India between 1871 and 1885 and also with his assistants Alexander Rea in south India
from 1882 many new areas were explored and discovered. Dr. E. Hultzsch was appointed as
Epigraphist in 1886 for a period of five years for deciphering and interpreting Sanskrit, Pali and
Dravidian languages. Burgess was also called to take the additional responsibility along with the
archaeological surveyor of south India to scrutinise the reports submitted by the three new
Circles.
Burgess became the Director General in March 1886 and on his recommendations the
government unified the three separate circles under one head along with the three different fields
of operation namely exploration, conservation and epigraphy. Among the major works carried
out by Burgess the important ones are survey made by Fuherer and Smith between 1886 and
1887 of the Sharqi architecture of Jaunpur and monuments of Zafarabad, Saheth and Maheth and
Ayodhya. Smith also carried out surveys in Budaon, Lalitpur, Orcha, Bundelkhand. Henry
Cousens carried out surveys in north Gujarat and Bijapur while Rea undertook survey of
Mahabalipuram, Krishna , Nellore and Godavari .
During the tenure of Burgess the Kankali Tila at Mathura was excavated in 1887-1888. He was
also instrumental in bringing out two important directives which debarred public officers from
disposing antiquities without official approval and prohibiting digging of ancient remains without
the consent of the Archaeological Survey. He also started a new publication known as
Epigraphica Indica in 1888 which was edited by great scholars like Buhler, Kielhorn and Eggeling.
He also published twenty volumes of which seven formed part of the Archaeological Survey of
India , New Imperial Series. Perhaps in retrospection on the voluminous work done Burgess also,
like Cunningham, thought that a large survey organization is not required to do the remaining
work. He therefore recommended to the government to abolish the post of Director General
and divide the entire country into two circles one under Cousens and other under Rea. Thus
chaos and confusion returned and Archaeological Survey as a central body ceased to exist. There
were only two Surveyors now known as Superintendents working in the west and south while
Fleet was assigned the duties of epigraphical research. Hultzch was also retained as Government
Epigraphist at Madras for a period of three years.
The following years saw utter chaos and disorganization while the publication of survey reports
virtually ended. In each and every field the results were lagging behind and voluminous q uantity
of work was to be done. In 1895 the Government of India understood the reality and for a while
requested the Asiatic Society to bear the responsibilities which the latter refused. However it took
a long time before proposals were called from the local governments, scholars from Royal Asiatic
Society and Tawney, Buhler and Fleet. The proposal submitted to the Secretary of State put forth
the following recommendations:
1. Creation of five circles with an Archaeological Surveyor as head at:

Bombay with Sind and Berar ; Madras and Coorg; Panjab,
Baluchistan and Ajmer ; Northwestern Provinces and Central
Provinces ; Bengal and Assam .
2. Conservation as the main aim of the Circle heads, excavation as
secondary objective.
3. Whatever funds available were to be utilized for the preservation
of monuments rather than exploration of unknown.
4. Epigraphy received a major support and Hultzsch was retained for
south Indian inscriptions while honorary epigraphists were
considered for other regions.
The recommendations were accepted in May 1899 and also made provision of pension of those
who joined Survey before that date. However, inspite of the firm footing for archaeological
works the problem pointed out by Lord Lytton earlier in 1878 was not addressed.
The arrival of Lord Curzon was a blessing in disguise for the revival of Archaeological Survey of
India. He observing the lack of coordinated efforts and the total disorganization of Circles
proposed the revival of the post of Director General. He should be a trained explorer with
archaeological knowledge and engineering skill - “He was required to exercise a general
supervision over all the archaeological work of the country, whether it was that of excavation, of
preservation or of repair, of epigraphy, or of the registration and description of monuments and
ancient remains. He would co-ordinate and bring up-to-date the local surveys and reports and
should in addition present to Government an annual report of his work”.

FROM 1901 TO 1947
In 1901 the recommendations were accepted and John Marshall was appointed as the new
Director General. Lord Curzon totally centralized the Survey and vested the powers with the
Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India. Marshall assumed charges in 1902 and a
new era started in Indian archaeology.
His principles on archaeological conservation are still valid and followed even by modern
conservation experts. The main observations of Marshall were:
1. Hypothetical restorations were unwarranted, unless they were essential to the stability of
a building;
2. Every original member of a building should be preserved in tact, and demolition and
reconstruction should be undertaken only if the structure could not be otherwise
maintained;
3. Restoration of carved stone, carved wood or plaster-moulding should be undertaken only
if artisans were able to attain the excellence of the old; and
4. In no case should mythological or other scenes be re-carved.
He started the new series of publications namely Annual Reports of the Director General which
contained the works and research activities carried out by the Survey. A separate branch for
Arabic and Persian in Epigraphy was also created and Dr. Ross was appointed for this purpose.
The most remarkable event in relation to protection of monuments is the enactment of Ancient
Monuments Preservation Act 1904. In addition to the five Circles created in 1899 certain changes
were made by appointing an architect for Muhammadan buildings in north India in 1902. On a
strong pleading by Marshall in 1904 on the verge of expiry of his five years tenure for the
retention of the Survey, the government accepted the proposal temporarily. Further, on 28th
April 1906 , the government announced that the Survey was placed on a permanent and
improved footing.
The sanctioned strength on that date was the Director General of Archaeology and Government
Epigraphist for the whole of India; Superintendents of Western Circle covering Bombay, Sind,
Hyderabad, Central India and Rajputana; Superintendent of the Southern Circle, covering Madras
and Coorg, and an attached Assistant Superintendent for Epigraphy; Superintendent and
Archaeological Surveyor of the Northern Circle, covering the United Provinces, Panjab, Ajmer,
Kashmir and Nepal; Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern Circle, covering
Bengal, Assam, Central Provinces and Berar; Superintendent of the Frontier Circle, covering the
Northwest Frontier Province and Baluchistan; and Superintendent of the Burma Circle.

In 1912 the government again seriously considered to abolish the post of Director General
and replace it by a Professor of archaeology attached to a proposed oriental research
institute. However, it was not carried through. An Archaeological Chemist and Deputy
Director General were added to the strength in 1917 and 1918 respectively. The Montague-
Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 made important changes in the administration of the Survey
while the Devolution Rules of 1921 laid down archaeology as a Central subject. The Eastern
Circle was renamed as Central Circle and a new Eastern Circle , with Calcutta as headquarters,
was created.
The years 1921-22 saw the discovery of the Indus Civilization and subsequently a separate
Exploration Branch with a Deputy Director General and three Assistant Superintendents was
created. Explorations and excavations were given due attention. The Provincial Governments
were left with only the statutory power of declaring a monument protected.
Sir John Marshall relinquished the post of Director General in 1928 and retired on 19th March
1931 as he had to write a series of monographs on Mohenjodaro, Harappa , Taxila, Sanchi,
Mandu, Delhi , Agra and Multan . H. Hargreaves succeeded Marshall as Director General in
1928 and his recommendation for abolition of the Superintendent of Hindu and Buddhist
Monuments at Lahore and Superintendent of Muhammadan and British Monuments at Agra
into an Assistant Superintendent attached to Frontier Circle and Superintendent of Northern
Circle was accepted in 1931.
Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni succeeded him in July 1931. His period saw a curtailment both
in posts and funds to be followed by a reverse trend in functioning. The Annual Reports soon
had a huge backlog and in 1935 a special officer was appointed to clear them. J.F. Blakiston
succeeded as Director General in 1935 during which period through the Government of India
Act of 1935 the Central Government assumed all powers vested with the Provincial
Government. Under certain amendments in the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act foreign
institutions were allowed to undertake fieldwork in India , through which Chanhudaro in
Sind was explored and excavated. Rao Bahadur K.N. Dikshit succeeded in 1937 and the
exploration in Sind was revived. However, it met with a tragic end with the death of the
team leader Shri N.G. Majumdar at the hand of dacoits. During this period Sir Leonard
Woolley was appointed as a foreign expert to report on the matters relating to future
excavations. His report highly condemned the nature and policies of the government relating
to excavation, the techniques adopted and involved. However he praised the conservation
activities carried out by the survey and he did not comment anything on epigraphical
activities. He also recommended large-scale excavation of certain sites; the prominent among
them was Ahichchhatra in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh under the supervision of a
competent archaeologist. Hence Ahichchhatra was excavated under the direction of K.N.
Dikshit between 1940-1944. The intervening period saw some setback due to World War II,
which slowed down the progress of survey.

R.E.M. Wheeler succeeded K.N. Dikshit as Director General in 1944 on a contract of four years.
He revived the Excavation Branch under an Assistant Superintendent, which was later elevated to
Superintendent. He laid special emphasis on exploration, excavation techniques and to solve the
problems related to chronology. In 1945 conservation was centralised and brought under the
purview of Survey for which additional staff were sanctioned. A prehistorian in the rank of
Assistant Superintendent was also created. To meet the additional work at the headquarters, a
post of Joint Director General was created in 1935. A Superintendent of Publications was also
created to cater to the needs of high quality publication on the works carried out by the Survey.
He excavated three important sites namely Arikamedu in Pondicherry Brahmagiri in Karnataka

and Taxila (now in Pakistan ) to ascertain and fix clear chronological timeframe for Indian history
which was eluding the archaeologists so long. These excavations were also utilized for training
the Indian students in excavation technique, conservation and other related aspects. Wheeler
introduced the stratification technique of excavation which was in vogue during that time and
improved the system of reporting and publishing. He brought out a new series of publication
namely the Ancient India which itself contained detailed excavation reports of many sites apart
from research articles and reports on field surveys.
From 1947 onwards
N.P. Chakravarti succeeded Wheeler in April 1948. His period saw the organization of a large-
scale exhibition at New Delhi in 1948 on the Indian art objects. These objects were originally
exhibited in London in 1947 and later on its return to India formed the nucleus of the National
Museum which was opened on 15th August 1949 .
On India becoming a republic and adopting the Constitution the following functions relating to
archaeology pertaining to the Union and the State Governments were made:
1. Union : ancient and historical monuments ….and archaeological sites and remains,
declared by the Parliament by law to be of national importance;
2. State: ancient and historical monuments …other than those declared by Parliament to be
of national importance.
3. Besides these two categories, both the Union and the States would have concurrent
jurisdiction over archaeological sites and remains other than those declared by Parliament
by law to be of national importance. N.P. Chakravarti relinquished his post in June 1950
to continue until 1952 as advisor to the Survey. Madhav Swaroop Vats succeeded him
and his period saw the enactment of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act in 1951. A.
Ghosh succeeded Vats in 1953.

The activities in post-Independence India saw great strides and development in the field of
Archaeological Survey of India. The Circles which were created on regional basis largely
following the geographical jurisdiction the States, are now rechristened on the basis of the city
where the Circle Headquarter is located. Mostly, every state had a Circle usually in the state
capital and named after the city in which the Circle is located. However, in states having larger
area often two or three circles look after the protection of monuments. For example, three
Circles administer Uttar Pradesh with headquarters at: Agra , Lucknow and Patna , while
Chandigarh Circle looks after monuments located in the states of Haryana and Punjab .
At present there are 24 Circles looking after more than 3600 monuments.
The following Acts were enacted for better preservation and maintenance of monuments and
also to prevent illegal trafficking of antiquities and art treasures.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,1958
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act,1972
In addition to the above periodical amendments and regulations were added to cope with the
changing scenario and to protect the monuments. One such action is the declaration of
Prohibited area, 100 m from protected limits and further 200 m as Regulated Area from the
prohibited limits, to prevent encroachments and unregulated constructions near protected
monuments.
The Treasure Trove Act 1878 and the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 are also in
vogue in addition to the above mentioned legislations.
Many new publications were also started during the post-Independence era. Prominent among
them were the Indian Archaeology-A Review an annual publication reviewing all the activities
conducted in the country.
In addition many publications started earlier like the Epigraphia Indica and its supplements
Epigraphia Indo-Moslemica which was later renamed as Epigraphia Indo-Moslemica - Arabic and
Persian Supplement, Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India, Corpus Inscriptionum
Indicarum, etc. are also continue.

STRUCTURAL CONSERVATION
Bef ore
Af ter
Although there have been references of conservation of structures way back in the early Historic Period as evidenced at
Junagadh, Gujarat, it was done on structures that were beneficial to the contemporary society. Even the dawn of
vision for the need to preserve monuments for its worth as a monument, mainly credited to the British was not less
haphazard in the earlier times. The earlier attempts to give a legal framework for preventing vandalism were the two
legislations namely the Bengal Regulation of 1810 and Madras Regulation of 1817.

The monuments and sties that received nominal funds and attention way back in 1 9th century was Taj Mahal, Tomb at
Sikandara, Qutb Minar, Sanchi and Mathura. Based on the proposal submitted in 1898, 5 Circles were constituted to
do the Archaeological work in India. These Circles were required to devote themselves entirely to conservat ion work.
Later the ‘Ancient Monuments and Preservation Act, 1904’ was passed with the prime objective to ensure the proper
upkeep and repair of ancient buildings in private ownership excepting such as those used for religious purposes. From
the first decade of the last century therefore many monuments could be taken up for conservation.
One of the foremost conservators, J. Marshall who laid down the principles of conservation was also instrumental in
preserving a number of monuments some of which are now under the World Heritage List. The conservation work of
stupas at Sanchi earlier lying in a maze of ruins gave the site its pristine looks. The conservation processes had now
become quite formalized and the later workers in the field were acquiring cumu lative knowledge of several
generations. Even before Independence, thus, the Archaeological Survey of India had developed significant expertise so
much as that it was invited for conservation work in other countries. Some of the outstanding examples of suc h works
are that of Bamiyan in Afghanistan and later in the Angkor Vat of Cambodia.
Bef ore
Af ter

CHEMICAL PRESERVATION
The Archaeological Survey of India’s Science Branch is responsible mainly for the chemical
conservation treatment and preservation of some three thousand five hundred ninety three
Protected monuments besides chemical preservation of museum and excavated objects
countrywide.
Bef ore
Af ter

The real challenge before us is to plan the necessary measures of conservation with a view to
assure the survival of these built cultural heritage and unique symbols of our civilizations for
centuries to come, with as little intervention as possible but without altering or modifying in any
way the authenticity of their original character. To ensure the stability as well as proper
conservation of our cultural heritage, there is a need to give more thrust to the scientific research
in conservation options must be based on a preliminary investigation which includes the
knowledge of physical nature of the object (constituent materials, architectural characteristics,
production techniques, state of decay) and of the factors which induce or could induced its
decay. In other words, as in the case of medical study the field of conservation therapy to be
based on a correct diagnosis.
Bef ore
Af ter

The role of scientific discipline is vital to both these steps of conservation activities. Accordingly, a
specific objective of scientific research activities in conservation being carried out by the Science
Branch is aimed to study:
 Material deterioration process.

 Basic studies of intervention technologies.
 Basic studies on materials.
 Diagnostic technologies.
The main activities of Science Branch are:
 Chemical treatment and preservation of about 5000 centrally protected monuments

including 18 world heritage monuments.
 Chemical treatment and preservation of museum exhibits and excavated objects
Scientific and technical studies as well as research on material heritage of different building
materials to study the causes of deterioration with a view to evolve appropriate
conservation measures in order to improve the state of preservation of our built cultural
heritage and physical heritage as well.
 Chemical conservation of monuments and heritage sites abroad.
 Technical assistance to state protected monuments as well as built cultural heritage under
the control of trusts in the form of deposit works.
 To impart training on chemical conservation to the students of Post Graduated Diploma
in Archaeology, from Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi.
To organize awareness programme and workshops /seminars with regard to scientific

conservation works

Legislations
Cultural renaissance of early nineteenth century witnessed enactment of the first ever antiquarian
legislation in India known as Bengal Regulation XIX of 1810. This was soon followed by another
legislation called as Madras Regulation VII of 1817. Both these regulations vested the Government
with a power to intervene whenever the public buildings were under threat of misuse. However,
both the Acts were silent on the buildings under the private ownership. The Act XX of 1863, was
therefore enacted to empower the Government to prevent injury to and preserve buildings
remarkable for their antiquity or for their historical or architectural value.
The Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878 (Act No. VI of 1878) was promulgated to protect and
preserve treasure found accidentally but had the archaeological and historical value. This Act was
enacted to protect and preserve such treasures and their lawful disposal. In a landmark
development in 1886, James Burgess, the then Director General succeeded in prevailing upon the
Government for issuing directions: forbidding any person or agency to undertake excavation
without prior consent of the Archaeological Survey and debarring officers from disposing of
antiquities found or acquired without the permission of the Government.
The Cultural heritage ushered in a new era when The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904
(Act No. VII of 1904) was promulgated. This Act provided effective preservation and authority
over the monument particularly those, which were under the custody of individual or private
ownership. As this Act has not been repealed, it is deemed to be in force. Next Act was The
Antiquities Export Control Act, 1947 (Act No. XXXI of 1947) and Rules thereto which provided a
regulation over the export of antiquities under a licence issued by the Director General and
empowering him to decide whether any article, object or thing is or is not an antiquity for the
purpose of the act and his decision was final.In 1951, The Ancient and Historical Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act, 1951 (No LXXI of
1951) was enacted. Consequently, all the ancient and historical monuments and archaeological
sites and remains protected earlier under ‘The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904’ (Act
No. VII of 1904) were re-declared as monuments and archaeological sites of national importance
under this Act. Another four hundred and fifty monuments and sites of Part ‘B’ States were also
added. Some more monuments and archaeological sites were also declared as of national
importance under Section 126 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956.

In order to bring the Act on par with constitutional provisions and providing better and effective
preservation to the archaeological wealth of the country, The Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 ( No 24 of 1958) was enacted on 28th August 1958.
This Act provides for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological
sites and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for
the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects. Subsequently, The Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules 1959 were framed. The Act along with
Rules came into force with effect from 15 October 1959. This Act repealed The Ancient and
Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National
Importance) Act, 1951.
The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 ( No. 52 of 1972) is the latest Act enacted on 9th
September 1972 for effective control over the moveable cultural property consisting of antiquities
and art treasures. The Act is to regulate the export trade in antiquities and art treasures, to
provide for the prevention of smuggling of, and fraudulent dealings in, antiquities, to provide for
the compulsory acquisition of antiquities and art treasures for preservation in public places and to
provide for certain other matters connected therewith or incidental or ancillary thereto. This Act
was also supplemented with The Antiquities and Art Treasure Rules 1973. The Act and Rules have
been in force with effect from 5th April 1976. This legislation repealed The Antiquities Export
Control Act, 1947 (Act No. XXXI of 1947).

Legislation
Legislation (or "statutory law") is law which has been promulgated (or
"enacted") by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of
making it. (Another source of law is judge-made law or case law.) Before an
item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be
broadly referred to as "legislation" while it remains under consideration to
distinguish it from other business. Legislation can have many purposes: to
regulate, to authorize, to proscribe, to provide (funds), to sanction, to grant,
to declare or to restrict.
Legislation is usually proposed by a member of the legislature (e.g. a

member of Congress or Parliament), or by the executive, whereupon it is
debated by members of the legislature and is often amended before passage.
Most large legislatures enact only a small fraction of the bills proposed in a
given session.[1] Whether a given bill will be proposed and enter into force is
generally a matter of the legislative priorities of government.
Legislation is regarded as one of the three main functions of government,

which are often distinguished under the doctrine of the separation of
powers. Those who have the formal power to create legislation are known
as legislators; a judicial branch of government will have the formal power to
interpret legislation (see statutory interpretation); the executive branch of
government can act only within the powers and limits set by the law.

Architectural Heritage of India
A great civilization can be defined by the magnificence of its architectural

legacy. India has lot to boost about its architectural heritage right from
the ancient times up to the colonial period. The country has several famous monuments like the
world famous Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar and still more covered in obscurity.
Indian architecture is a healthy blend of various architectural styles portraying the influences of
regional variations, cultural background and dynastic control. The Hindu architecture mainly
concentrates on religious themes and there are several examples of this in the forms of the
temples spread in every nook and corner of India. The Islamic architecture was grand in form
and creation as it concentrated on building massive mausoleums, mosques and forts.
The temples in India can be divided into three different styles based on the regional variations.
The temple building style of north India was called the Nagara or Indo-Aryan Style of
Architecture. The south Indian Style of Architecture was called the Dravidian Style of Architecture.
The temples of Central India possessed both the north and South Indian feature and thus were
called the Vesara Style of Architecture. The 'Vesara' is probably the corrupted version of the word
'Misra' meaning Mixture or blend. The examples of temples are the Khajuraho Group of temples,
Sun Temple, Konark, Shore temple etc.
Islamic architecture is a combination of Indo-Islamic-Persian style of Architecture that flourished

in the Indian subcontinent during the Medieval and the Mughal period. This new style
combined elements of Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Persian features, which had been introduced
in India during the early period of the Delhi Sultanate. The finest examples of this period are the
Qutub Minar, the Red Fort, the Humayun's Tomb, the Taj Mahal etc.
The British left a huge legacy of language, social customs, the modes of administration and their
buildings in India after leaving India. The architectural works of the British reflects an unusual
adaptation of locally available raw materials and weather to fulfill the longing for home. Thus
the European styles are visible in a tropical land. The various examples of the Indo- European
architecture are the Victoria Memorial, Gateway of India, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Fort St. George
etc.
An architectural feat in itself, each monument is a strikingly brilliant representation of incredible

artistry, shrouding a sense of mystery, fascination and romance. Be it the marvel in white marble,
the unparalleled Taj Mahal; or the splendor in red sandstone, the imposing Red Fort; or the
magnificence of temple art of Khajuraho, Konark and Hampi, therein is evident the master
craftsmanship and elegance, that brings to the fore the grandeur of the bygone era.

Guiding Principles for Cultural Heritage Conservation
 Cultural heritage conservation helps a community not only protect

economically valuable physical assets, but also preserve its practices,
history, and environment, and a sense of continuity and identity.
 Cultural property may be more at risk from the secondary effects of a
disaster than from the disaster itself, therefore quick action will be
needed.
 Built vernacular heritage offers a record of a society’s continuous
adaptation to social and environmental challenges, including extreme
events, such as past disasters. This record can often be drawn on to
design mitigation strategies for new construction or retrofitting.
 Communities should prioritize which cultural assets to preserve,
considering both cultural meaning and livelihood implications,
although reaching a consensus may be difficult.
 Cultural heritage conservation plans are best designed before a
disaster, but, in their absence, heritage authorities can and should
collaborate to develop effective post-disaster heritage conservation
strategies.
 Because vernacular cultural properties are sometimes capable of
withstanding local climate conditions, they may serve as safe havens
where surrounding communities can temporarily relocate.

CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE - THE KERALA EXPERIENCE
PRASANTH HALI
1. INTRODUCTION
The need for conservation of buildings and areas of heritage significance was recognized
world over from very early times, though law institutionalized this around one and a
half centuries back in Europe. In India, introduction of Archaeological Survey of India in
1902 paved way for bringing their conservation through legislation. The Constitution of
India under fundamental duties mandates the citizens to value and preserve the rich
heritage of our composite culture. Since inception, the Archaeological Survey of India has
identified around 7000 monuments as protected in this vast country, which is proud of
its rich heritage. But it seems that the figures deserve no comparison with Britain, which is
around 1/14th of India in area, as it has listed over 500,000 heritage buildings.
In India, master plans, urban development schemes, urban renewal schemes, etc; have
beenprepared under urban, regional, town planningacts, development authority acts and
municipal acts. Most of these statutes recognize ‘conservation of heritage’ as part of such
schemes. Of late, more emphasis is being placed on this sector in physical planning and
the role of urban conservationists is getting widely recognized.
Conservation of Heritage was a major concept underlying the Perspective Plan for Delhi
2001.The survey conducted by ASI identified 1,321 monuments, sites and buildings of
historic valuen in Delhi, out of which 411 were within the walled city of Shajahanabad
alone. One among the eight major concepts of the Master Plan for Delhi, 2001 was to
‘Conserve the Urban Heritage of Delhi’ by designating historic areas as ‘Controlled
Conservation Areas’ for which special plans for conservation and improvement has to be
formulated. This concept also emphasized on the importance of ‘modernization with
conservation’.The Master Plan for Delhi, 2021 too emphasizes the need for conservation
of heritage and identifies heritage zones for detailed plan formulation. The UDPFI
Guidelines prepared by the Institute of Town Planners, India in 1996 also suggested that
Heritage and Conservation Areas including old built up and scenic value areas should be
treated as ‘Special Areas’ while formulating proposals. In Maharashtra, a Heritage
Committee was constituted under the Urban and Regional Planning legislation in order
to conserve the heritage buildings and precincts in Mumbai. This was followed up by a
few other cities in India too. For example, Hyderabad Master Plan lays down
procedures for listing and grading of heritage and general regulations for the listed
heritage buildings and precincts, which closely resembles with the model heritage
regulations advocated by the union government.

2. THE KERALA CONTEXT
Kerala is widely acclaimed for its natural beauty and is a leader in Tourism sector. As
such, it is evident that the state possesses natural heritage of international reputation. In
addition, the state is also rich in heritage buildings and precincts of historic and cultural
significance. Though their scale is not comparable with those in other parts of our
country, they are architectural masterpieces with their beauty lying in the human scale,
and architectural detailing, the construction practices and the cultural association. The
state also has statutes and institutions for their protection.
2.1 Town Planning Schemes
The importance of the need for legislation to ensure conservation of heritage has been
acknowledged in Kerala since the inception of Town Planning Acts. The Travancore
Town Planning Act, 1108 ME, and Madras Town Planning Act, 1920 had identified
‘preservation of objects or buildings of archaeological or historic interest
or of natural beauty’ as matters that might be dealt with in a town planning scheme.
Though the conventional planning approach recognizes ‘conservation’ as an item to be
considered in the preparation of a town planning scheme, it was never been given the
priority deserved. The physical planning exercises give top priority for the provision or
improvement of facilities, utilities and road network and enforcement of land use
regulations with due regard to the projected requirements. While conventional Town
Planning Schemes aim at ‘Planning for the Future’, the objective of conservation is to
ensure ‘Future for the Past’. ‘Heritage conservation’ as an item, finds it difficult to
optimally fit in the above said conventional framework of physical planning. Most
of the time, the schemes ended up with simply addressing the significance of heritage
buildings or precincts without effective regulations for
ensuring their conservation.
A quick look at the Town Planning Schemes in Kerala reveals that the proposals for the
heritage areas are mostly limited to identifying a few monuments to be conserved,
proposing open spaces / construction-free areas around them and limiting the height of
buildings in the immediate environs of the monuments. The Detailed Town Planning
Scheme for Fort Area in the capital city is a typical example for this practice. Though
some Detailed Town Planning Schemes make ‘traditional architectural style’ mandatory
for future constructions, absence of specific detailed guidelines is a drawback. Certain
schemes have also adopted ‘Building line controls’ for streets of historic or aesthetic
value, as in the case of Detailed Town Planning Scheme for Museum–Kaudiar
Avenue in Thiruvananthapuram. Stipulating minimum plot size and maximum
permissible FAR and coverage are the other controls normally adopted for conserving
the character of such areas. But, are these regulations enough for a heritage zone?

2.2 Other Statutes and Agencies
The Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1968 underlines the specific intention and
necessity for protecting the buildings and areas of archaeological significance. Till date,
the Department of Archaeology under Government of Kerala have notified around 80
buildings / sites in Kerala as protected under this statute with the specific intention of
preserving those with archaeological significance (not less than 100 years old). The
Archaeological Survey of India’s list of protected monuments of ‘national significance’ in
Kerala numbers only 26, out of which, nearly a quarter of them are burial grounds!
Though the state Archaeology department has done commendable restoration works in
the recent past, paucity of fund still remains as a hurdle for expanding its list. Continuing
the maintenance of the protected monuments is a serious issue, as most of them face
problems in raising sufficient funds for their upkeep. Government resources have serious
limitations for acquiring all such properties for conservation.
Kerala, the ‘god’s own country’, also struggles for protecting the ‘God’s own assets’ – its
natural heritage. The natural wealth has gained the state the internationally acclaimed
status as one of the ‘must–see destinations in a life time’. Of late, legislation has been
brought into force for identification and conservation of tourist destinations. Steps are
being worked out for bringing in regulations for selected destinations. The department of
Town and Country Planning had already prepared development plans for five such
tourism destinations in the state. Conservation project for Fort Cochin Heritage zone was
also undertaken by the Tourism Department.
The need for a body to ensure the conservation of heritage, both manmade and natural;
has been recognized by the Government and an Arts and Heritage Commission was
constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary to Government, Local Self Government
(Urban Development), with Chief Town Planner as its Member secretary. The
commission , though mainly have an advisory role, was effective to some extent in
co-ordinating conservation efforts in selected areas with other line agencies. This include
the conceptualization of the Fort area conservation project in Thiruvananthapuram,
which was undertaken by the Archaeological Department (Refer Fig.1) and won many
national and International accolades.Regulation of construction activities in selected
heritage zones such as Fort Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram Fort Area and Alappuzha
Canal area is in progress. The commission has also identified and documented the
heritage buildings, heritage precincts and natural heritage (Phase I) spanning the entire
state, through the department of Town and Country Planning - one among the
first state-wide listing exercise in the country. The commission also undertook various
awareness creation measures. The commission has also formulated and forwarded to
Government the ‘draft regulations for ensuring and promoting conservation of heritage’
and recommended to bring the regulations under the new Urban & Regional Planning
Act.

The local bodies such as City Corporations (ReferFig.2), Municipalities and gram
panchayats are the agencies which have the direct link with all types of construction and
land development activities in their respective areas of jurisdiction under the aegis of the
Kerala Municipalities Act, 1994 and Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. However inadequate
awareness on heritage conservation and lack of trained personnel in related disciplines
are widely pointed out as the major impediments to ensure conservation measures.
3. NEED OF THE HOUR
The share of heritage precincts and monuments under the possession of the Government
is small when compared to those in private hands. Of late, they are considered as
‘burdens’ by a considerable section of the owners citing reasons like high maintenance
cost, under-utilization of prime land and their structural safety (mainly due to long
period of negligence in maintenance). It is sad to notice that the same reasons are put
forward to pull down these invaluable specimens of architecture and inseparable parts of
history to pave way for ‘modern well-planned utilitarian’ buildings.The heritage buildings
and precincts in the state are now the highly vulnerable targets of economic pressures,
qualifying themselves as ‘endangered’.Their existence, both in urban and rural areas of
the state, is under severe threat. Modern buildings are replacing them with little
consideration to the heritage character of the environs.
4. CONCLUSIONS
The suggestions for conserving the heritage buildings, heritage precincts and natural
heritage in Kerala are given below:
• Comprehensive listing and grading of heritage is inevitable. The Art and Heritage
Commission have already carried out the first phase of this exercise. The listing and
grading of heritage buildings, heritage precincts and natural heritage of the state shall be
a continuous process.
• New construction activities shall be regulated in heritage precincts and alterations to
heritage buildings shall be restricted, with due regard to conservation practices. Kerala
has to give special emphasis on its natural heritage.
• Use or reuse of heritage buildings and precincts is a critical issue. For heritage
properties, hardline conventional zoning shall give way for lenient but careful adaptive
use / reuse zoning. Experience worldwide shows that such a practice can contribute to
the longevity of such properties and will prevent their disuse or misuse. The state may
think seriously on varying / revising older town planning schemes for heritage areas at
the earliest.
• We should promote sustainable heritage tourism. The sustenance of heritage tourism
lies in conservation of heritage, whether manmade or natural. Once convinced, the
market forces will take care of the conservation of the heritage properties due to the
economic value specifically attached to them.
• Relax the conventional building controls ‘type designed for modern constructions’,
exclusively for heritage buildings and precincts. If not, the rules will be counter
productive, compelling such buildings and precincts to shed the architectural features
associated with them.

However, relaxations in building rules shall be limited to the extent required for
conserving the heritage character. Necessary amendments shall be made in the prevailing
building rules.
• Awareness on heritage conservation is vital and needs to be imparted among Local self
Government Institutions, Governmental agencies, People’s representatives,entrepreneurs,
property owners, and the general public. Steps shall also be taken to improve the supply
of manpower trained in conservation related disciplines.
• Role of Local Self Government Institution is critical. Awareness creation in the first
stage, imparting competence in the second stage and enhanced involvement in the third
stage shall be the methodology. Ideally there shall be an agency at state level for
rendering advice for them.
• Giving monetary assistance for repairs to listed buildings and maintaining the heritage
character of the listed precincts are also considered as an option for promoting heritage
conservation. A fund mobilization mechanism encompassing national culture fund, Cess
on property tax, funds from national and international financial institutions, etc; can also
be thought of, as the governmental budgetary allocations have serious limitations.
• Careful adoption of modern techniques like TDR (Transfer of Development Right) is
another option. Development Right Certificate (DRC) in lieu of conserving heritage as an
incentive is practiced in certain cities. However, more detailing is required before
practicing the technique. The City Master Plans have to be revised for this purpose, with
‘generating’ and ‘receiving’ areas clearly identified.
• Generally, such buildings are given exemptions or holidays on property taxes, building
construction fees, urban service charges, etc; as incentives for promoting conservation,
though these are policy matters to be decided by a government.
• Town Planning schemes prepared by the Local Self Government Institutions for such
heritage areas shall provide for regulating and promoting conservation of heritage. The
conventional approach to planning, as said earlier, may be counter productive. Zoning
regulations shall give special focus on the skyline, precinctwise architectural design
vocabulary and adaptive uses and reuses. The typical land use zoning shall be avoided in
heritage precincts and if needed, necessary amendments may be made in the existing
legislation.
• The Government and other agencies shall refrain from implementing projects, which
are ‘injurious’ to the heritage precincts. Foot overbridges, large display boards, buildings,
flyovers, etc; which are likely to obstruct or spoil the visual quality of the heritage
builtspace, shall not be allowed in such areas. Any project carried out shall be in
harmony with the historic built-up area.
• All these suggestions need the support of a strong legislation. Appropriate provisions /
regulations under Town Planning legislation has to be brought in, as advised by the
central government for legitimizing the above aspects. The draft regulation for ‘Ensuring
and promoting conservation of heritage buildings,heritage precincts and natural heritage’
is already before the Government. Once the new Town and Country Planning Act comes
into force, this regulation may be brought under its purview for effective and meaningful
actionfor conserving the heritage of Kerala.

Conservation of Architectural Heritage
“Our heritage is all that we know of ourselves

What we preserve of it, our only record.
That record is our becon in the darkness of time;
the light that guides our steps.
Conservation is the means by which we preserve it
It is our commitment not to the past, but to our future”
- Philip Ward

Heritage Tourism
Travel motivated by the desire to experience the authentic, natural, historic
and cultural resources of a community or region
Multi dimensional approach that connects authenticity with development.
Economic Factors:
Sustain the cultural heritage of region
 Economic opportunities
 Foster living conditions
 Protection of Heritage
 Sustainability of local culture
Ex: Local community gets benefit by tourism in khajuraho
Challenges
 Heritage Management
 Tourism
 Enhancement of local living conditions
 Impact on local traditions
 Heritage tourism should be beneficiary for the local community

not only for the investors
 Local knowledge based system-community participation

Management approach:
 Municipality Policy
 Fostering a dynamic view of tourism among citizens
 Organization of tourism activities through out the year
 Regulating vehicular movement encouraging pedestrian movement
 Continual communication between heritage protectors, city planners

etc
 Analysis of the complete knowledge of the city interior development

potentials
 Check economy background of the visitors.
Guidelines for sustainable management of heritage tourism
 Relevant to the context
 Relevant to tourist Activity
 Community engagement

Relevant to the context
 Care of Heritage Assets in the area
 Identify heritage assets and the values
 Explore potential of heritage assets

 Define activities that will directly contribute the heritage
assets.
Identify the
Heritage Tourisn
Connection
Tourist activities
Market Issues: Size of the Market
Strength of the Market
How presentable
Visitors Issues
1. Relevant to visitors
 Monitor availability of tourist facilities

 Richness of the visitors experience
 Outline strategies to improve demands
 Decisions on heritage theme
 Activities need for the visitors
2. Relevant to Visitors impact on the area-Monitor and outline the
controlling means
Community Engagement-developing beneficial partnership with the local
community

Thanks to all the Architects and Architectural conservationist and cultural
conservationist all across the world
By
Jaikumar Ranganathan
Participated in conservation workshops organized by Dakshinachitra and
Madras craft foundation & conservation workshop at Department of
Architecture NIT Calicut
(Courtesy to all conservation scholars from whom the notes are collected
and compiled for everyone to get awareness in Architectural conservation)

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Architectural Conservation Chapters

Evolution and methodology

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

 ICONOMS-Internal Council on monuments and sites

 The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION the three m’s

 MOTIVE – Why do we wish to conserve?

 MONUMENT – What are we trying to conserve?

 MANNER and MEANS – How should it be done?

The scope of Conservation

 Conservation of the built environment – mainly of historic buildings – ranges from

Skills/ Expertise required –

 Structural / Civil Engineer

 Craftsman related to each material

 Biologist, Chemist, physicist, Geologist and seismologist etc….

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

1. Emotional Value (Wonder, Identity, Spiritual & Symbolic, Continuity)

2. Cultural Values (Documentary, Historic, Archaeological, Aesthetic, Architectural,

3. Use Values (Functional, Economic, Social, Political & Ethnic)

INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION SUGGEST:

 Minimum effective action is always the best.

 This action should be reversible and not prejudice future interventions.

THE CONSERVATION OF A BUILDING INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING:

Prevention of Deterioration (Indirect Conservation)

Consolidation (Direct Conservation)

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

INTERNATIONAL CHARTER FOR THE CONSERVATION

ARTICLE 8. Items of sculpture, painting or decoration which form an integral part of a

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

Piero Gazzola (Italy), Chairman

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

( THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS)

REPAIR NOT RESTORATION:

Old buildings are not the place to test unproved materials

COMPLEMENT NOT PARODY

This is the most practical and economic form of preservation.

To repair old buildings well, they must be understood. Appreciation of a building’s

The only work which is unquestionably necessary(whether it be repair, renewal or

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

( THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS)

RESPECT FOR AGE

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

Case Study - Musée d'Orsay at Paris

The Railway Station... ...Turned into a Museum

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

The Railway Station...

...Turned into a Museum

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

SECTION OF musée d‘Orsay

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan

A.MATERIALS 1. Behavior of materials both old and new

2. New materials are stronger but less durable

3. Hence compatibility between the two

B. STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR 1. A thorough understanding of the behavior of

2. Old buildings have established patterns of

3. Fresh loads should not be added as far as

4. New additions including openings should be

5. Services should be introduced sensitively

 Linked to the aspects of materials and structural behavior

 Additional elements can boldly be a statement of modernity but follow the

Architectural Conservation - Notes compiled by Ar. Jaikumar Ranganathan