JAIPUR: A new platform for protection and conservation of heritage cities in the country has been created with the launch of the Network for Indian Cities of Living Heritage here on Monday. The network, which has the backing of UNESCO, would serve as a platform linking Indian cities which want to make heritage conservation a part of the development and sustenance.

"The Indian Cities Network of Living Heritage shall highlight the Indian city as a living cultural resource, preserve the uniqueness and diversity of the cultural heritage, promote heritage and creativity as the driving force for urban development and employment generation and balance socio-economic and cultural development," said the mission statement on the network.

"In the name of modernisation many cities are getting vandalized. The rapid growth in urban population is forcing the cities to modernise in order to provide amenities," said Minja Yang, UNESCO representative to India, on the occasion. "Urban planning and cultural issues are the joint responsibility of the State and Central governments. The UNESCO's job is to help the process." The urban centres -- cities, towns and settlements -- in India, forming a complex and highly developed fabric of human habitation, are continuously undergoing a process of change. These centres are constantly renewing themselves while maintaining their unique and diverse culture and heritage. "It is in order to strengthen the Indian cities and towns to cope with these fast changes that UNESCO has taken the initiative," Ms. Yang noted even while conceding that the original idea did not come from her organisation.

Back in 1998 China had launched such a network of cities. Thereafter regular exchanges and meetings at mayoral levels have been taking place. "It is not only the information on the best practices. One gets to know what are the bad practices to be avoided as well," Ms.Yang pointed out.

The objectives of the new grouping include promotion of Indian cities as repositories of living cultural heritage co-existing with contemporary development, creating awareness on the benefits and potential of conservation, involving communities in conservation besides poverty alleviation and ensuring sustainability. The activities of the network would include creation of a cultural knowledge database for heritage cities, a web portal, publications, public campaigns and technical cooperation.

"We decided to launch the network in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, as the State has a strong cultural identity," Ms. Yang said speaking on the occasion, which coincided with the inauguration of a three-day conference on Indian Cities of Living Heritage. The conference, attended by representatives of 20 Indian cities and seven French cities, is supported by the Union Ministry of Urban Development, the Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur City, FICCI Rajasthan and Virasat Foundation.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail