Plpp Urban Arts Commission Vikas

Role of  Urban Art Commission in India VIKAS KUMAR NIRMAL 08AR6031

Department of  of Architecture Architecture & Regional Planning Indian Institute of  of Technology, Technology, Kharagpur

Role of Urban Art Commission in India

 ABSTRACT:

This document  aims to tell the role and importance of Urban Art Commission to be setup in Indian cities to look after the Urban Design prospects of city development  and urban  fabric it  is gaining through different  projects architectural,  planning, transportation etc.

The

Indian cities are very  rich in  Architecture Heritage, Old  Buildings & Complexes which needs special  attention and  organization to take care so that  the city  doesn’t  lose its charm & identity. It  also highlights the success of  Delhi  Urban  Art  Commission and  their  initiatives which had  significant  impact  on overall  beautification of  National  Capital. Pedestrianism, Tree Plantation, Grade separators, restoration of building complexes, redevelopment  of Old  areas of  cities etc have been some of  the remarkable achievements by  Delhi  Urban  Art  Commission. The domain of  is  far  above than  Archeological  Survey  of  India is limited  to heritage monuments whereas Urban  Art  Commission looks at  overall  built  environment  of  city  not  only  existing but  also examine  future  projects whether  they  are matching with urban fabric, enhancing its aesthetic quality or not.

Planning Legislation and Professional Practice

Role of Urban Art Commission in India

CHAPTERS

1. Conservation… An overview 2.1 integrated urban conservation and its importance in Indian context 2. The India Setup 3. Urban Arts Commission… How the stage was setup 4. The Delhi Urban Arts Commission 4.1 Delhi Urban Arts Commission Act 4.2 Functional Resonsibilities 4.3 How to make it more Efficient 5. Recent Delhi Urban Art Commission Initiatives 5.1

Delhi A Heritage City

5.2

Pedestrianization of Karol Bagh

5.3

The Rajpath/Central Vista

5.4

Shajahanabad Redevelopment

5.5

Zonal Development Plan For New Delhi

5.6

Tree Management

5.7

Commonwealth Games Projects

5.8

Imagining Delhi

5.9

Road hierarchy & By‐Passes

6. Conclusion 7. Bibliography

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1. CONSERVATION…AN OVERVIEW Conservation is a term that earlier remarks to heritage monuments & old buildings by Patrick Geddes who wrote of  conservative surgery in Indian Planning. The term conservation has only widely been used in Britain since the mid 1960s since the introduction of  'conservation areas' under the Civil Amenities Act. Previously ‘preservation’ term was used but semantically both the words refer same as to keep safe from harm or decay. Nevertheless, conservation seems to have been rather arbitrarily redefined for application to the built environment which allows for more changes whereas preservation implies no more change than necessary to keep artifacts in existence. Conservation covers all circumstances from absolute retention to demolition sometimes partial or complete demolition is necessary for the benefit of  an overall project. 1.1 integrated Urban Conservation and its Importance in Indian Context Integrated conservation means integrating conservation requirements and town planning objectives. To combine the values and interests of  the existing historic fabric with the general planning process at an equal status in urban context Integrated Conservation involves conservation and rehabilitation of  historic building & areas and providing then with appropriate public services in due respect to the criteria according to which these areas have been built in the past. In order to be successful in the long term this should be carried out as a  joint effort with inhabitants using‐planning legislation and norms as a tool. In India traditional cities, ancient and medieval are known for their architectural heritage, colorful and lively wide ranging life style and cultures. Haphazard growth of the cities due to boom in building industry has threatened this unique wealth with the prospect of  extinction. Indiscriminate road widening and clearance schemes have often cut through the historic centre not only knocking down buildings of  architectural heritage but also exposing the old quarters to speculative forces. In India what we find in reality is that conservation has been reduced to mere archeological protection of  a few ancient monuments. Partly the flow can be associated with the insufficiency of  institutional arrangements and legislation as in the west. In this sphere a need of  judicious or town planning machinery is essential which is already well established in India with legal backing, professional manpower and budgetary allocation.

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2. THE INDIAN SETUP In India from the very beginning it has been the archeological survey of  India that is taking care of conservation. ASI protects almost 5.000 monuments and archeological sites of national importance while another 4.000 are being protected by the State Department of  Archeology. It would be apparent to anyone familiar with the Indian scene that protection is extended to only a fraction of  the exact number of  monuments. In Britain, for example 5.00.000 monuments are listed of  which 30.000 are considered to be of  national importance. Considering the depths of the issue the existing legislative set up in Town Planning has enhanced the process of conservation with the introduction of Urban Arts Commission. The most important fact is that the Ancient Monuments and Archeological sites and remains Act of  1958 (AMASR) is clearly outdated and not in conformity with contemporary international understanding. The recent charter of  International Council on Monuments and Sites ([COMaS) considers monuments in their setting. This will include parts of the urban fabric and therefore overlaps the activities of  the Town Planning Department. The physical features of  these historic areas are integrated to the lives of  the people who still occupy them and as the ICOMS charter points out the consideration for their conservation introduces socio‐economic issues. The town planner is hardly sensitive to this 'one within the other' relation between the people and place in our historic cities but these are the legitimate concerns of  conservationists. Thus an important area of  study is the need to coordinate and multi departmental frameworks for action. It is at this point that we strike at one of  the prominent chords. how far the urban arts commission act is successful in accomplishing this task and consequently in maintaining the urban design quality of our cities.

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3. URBAN ARTS COMMISSIONS…HOW THE STAGE WAS SET In 1968, the Institute of Town Planners India in their annual planning seminar on National Capital Planning and Development' held in Delhi suggested that for improving the image of  the National Capital on urban form in totality as the first step for the holistic development of  city so that development plans can be prepared in a unified and comprehensive manner for specific environmental areas in order to give a distinct urban entity to the city of  New Delhi. Though it was not there in the final version of  Delhi Master Plan even before this the draft preamble of  the Delhi Master Plan report stipulated that a great capital deserves great architecture and efforts to build an altogether urban design quality. It was the National Building Code of  India. 1970 that spelt out in clear cut terms in one of  its clauses that Urban Art Commission should be established in all metropolitan cities in the country so that major public building complexes or buildings coming up in important areas of  these cities are properly evaluated in their expected environment before they are sanctioned. The code cited examples of  works done by similar commissions in cities like Washington. Paris. London etc.

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4. THE DELHI URBAN ARTS COMMISSION The Delhi Urban Art Commission was set up by an Act of  Parliament in 1973 to "advise the Government of  India in the matter of  preserving, developing and maintaining the aesthetic quality of  urban and environmental design within Delhi and to provide advice and guidance to any local body in respect of  any project of  building operations or engineering operations or any development proposal which affects or is like to affect the skyline or the aesthetic quality of  the surroundings or any public amenity provided therein. The area of urban Delhi has expanded and it has become more densely built in the years since the DUAC was constituted. This gives even greater relevance to the injunctions in the original mandate. Ecology and heritage are more pressing concerns now, the difficulties of  seeing the city as a whole in a situation where there are many decision‐ making bodies is more evident than before, and there is urgent need to have a vision for the future of  the city's constituent elements. In the last year the DUAC continued with the new direction which had been begun when the present Commission was appointed in April 2005 ‐‐ to take a holistic view of  city‐level issues (ranging from street‐furniture to density and skyline) as well as to focus on proposals for sites critical because of  size or location. •

In the 1970s the predominant concern was about uncontrolled high‐rise development.

•

In the 1980s issues linked with Asian Games.

•

In the 1990s the building of Dwarka and the freezing of the New Delhi Bungalow area.

This decade's main concerns are about four issues – 

The threats to the remaining oases of open spaces, riverline and forest,



The need to improve the quality of life in historic precincts,

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The need to ensure that dilapidated areas are 'redeveloped' elegantly, and

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To find ways in which traffic networks can work efficiently but with a humane quality.

The significant initiative DUAC took last year to highlight city‐level issues in an exhibition 'Imagining Delhi', has been followed up by another, equally important, of  preparing templates to serve as a model for future design exercises. The major activities of  the Commission ranged over many issues. The new Metro lines and the Commonwealth Games projects, and extensions to existing institutions, were examined in the context of  the underlying ecology and of  historic neighborhoods. Agencies with overlapping  jurisdiction were invited to discussions for norms about street furniture, and (with the cooperation of  the NCT Government) to identify ways to 'improve' Shahjahanabad. Pilot Planning Legislation and Professional Practice

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projects initiated by DUAC, to serve as templates, include the proposals on Khirkee Village and on Sunheri Bagh, and the work on a Zonal Development Plan for the NDMC. Much time and thought has been given to the pressing issues of modifying and adding to transport‐corridors. The Commission hosted a seminar on the Master Plan, and a meeting of architects who wished to discuss the issue of the proposed link road from east Delhi to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. 4.1 Delhi Urban Arts Commission Act Even a properly planned and developmental guidelines strictly monitored urban growth can turn into an aesthetical tragedy if  the controls to be exercised over street furniture, hardware, hoardings, elevation of  main structures, views & vistas, skyline etc. are overlooked. And the initial phase of  growth of  Delhi spoke for itself  about the chaos of  such a tragedy. It is based on the premise of the aforementioned NBC recommendations that the first of  its kind of  Urban Act Commission, the Delhi Urban Art Commission was setup under the act of  parliament, namely the Delhi Urban Art Commission Act, 1973. st

The act came into force with effect from 1 may 1974. The commission was setup with the following objectives: 1. To promote these qualities in the urban environment to enhance the values of  the community. 2. To bring up and nurse the attractiveness, aesthetic quality & functional utility of  the community as a place of living & work. 3. To preserve the character & quality of  our manmade heritage by maintaining the integrity of  areas having a discernible character of  area of  special historical importance. 4. To channelize certain public investment in the areas. 5. To prevent the upsurgence of  ill designed structures, street furniture etc. and to encourage well designed ones. 6. To raise the level of community expectations for the quality of its importance. 4.2 Functional Responsibilities Functional responsibilities of  the commission as embodied in the Delhi Urban arts Commission Act, 1973 are: 1. To advice the Central Government in the matter of  preserving, developing & maintaining the aesthetic quality of urban & environmental design of Delhi. 2. To advice and guide the local bodies in respect of  any project of  building and engineering operation o any development proposal which effects or is likely to affect the aesthetic quality of the surroundings of any public amenity provided therein. Planning Legislation and Professional Practice

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3. To promote & secure the development, redevelopment or beautification of any areas in Delhi in respect of any areas in Delhi in respect of any proposals o that behalf have been received from any local body. 4. To scrutinize, approve, reject or modify proposals in regard of: •

The development of district centers, civic center areas earmarked for government administrative buildings and for residential complexes, public parks & gardens.

•

The development of  areas within the  jurisdiction of  New Delhi municipal Committee.

•

The plans, architectural expressions, external appearance and impact on skylines of new buildings in the centers, areas, parks, and gardens specified on clauses and including selection of models for statues and fountains therein.

5. The development of  areas in the vicinity of  Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Old Fort, Tughlaqabad and such other places of  historical importance as the central govt. may, by notification in the Official Gazette specify. 6. The conservation, preservation & beautification of  monumental buildings, public parks & public gardens including location or installation of  statues & fountains therein. 7. The underpasses & overpasses and regulation of street furniture & hoardings. 8. Any other project or layout which is considered to beautify Delhi or to add to its cultural viability or to enhance the quality of the surrounding thereof. These guidelines represent a workable consensus among different interests coming within the commission’s purview. These guidelines take care of  many diverse urban design aspects such as layout planning, building & engineering operations, conservation, various elements of  urban design, The commission is not required to scrutinize plans & views of  every building project but major commercial complexes, multistoried buildings which may add or affect urban design quality development are always required to get the commissions’ approval before starting the process of construction. The commission consists of  team of  eminent architects, town planners, horticluturists, artists & environmentalists who are periodically associated with its deliberations as advisors. The commission takes an overall view of the total urban environment and how every project fit into the whole city fabric.

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5. RECENT DUAC INITIATIVES: 5.1

Delhi A Heritage City

In sheer volume and variety of historical footprints, Delhi rivals other acknowledged World Heritage cities like Rome and Edinburgh. But unlike Rome, only a few of its historic monuments are in the public eye and so constitute its public identify. Some like the Qutb Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort are so exceptional that they have already been inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. Others like the Jama Masjid are in the popular tourists circuit, but the majority, of comparable significance, lie in the interstices of  the modern city, neglected and forgotten. Few are therefore, able to appreciate the extent of Delhi’s actual architectural heritage. The time is right now to promote the common agenda of conserving Delhi’s heritage, and a strong platform that now exists in Delhi can successfully be translated into making Delhi a World Heritage City. It is with this background that the proposal was initiated.

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5.2 Pedestrianization of Karol Bagh Karol Bagh area which is one of  the important commercial hubs of  the capital is getting choked on account of  an un‐controlled flow of  traffic. There is hardly any scope for free movement of  pedestrians leave aside vehicles. As an initial step for improving pedestrianization of  a high density commercial areas, the Commission had chosen Karol Bagh. The issues involved include : a. To identify the area needing urgent attention for study of pedestrianization of the area. b. Land in the vicinity that can be made available or generated by way of  relocating some functions. c. Exploration of  use of  land below the ground or creation of  basement for the use o parking etc. d. Services such as sewerage, water supply, drainage, electricity that needs to be either maintained or augmented.

5.3 The Rajpath/Central Vista The Rajpath/Central Vista starts from the Forecourts of  Rastrapati Bhawan till the India Gate on the East‐West axis in the heart of  the Capital city. Initially this Rajpath was designed by Edward Lutyens' with vast open green space with double rows of  trees and linear water bodies between the row of  trees on both side of  the Rajpath. This was also designed as a Ceremonial open space of  2.5 Km. long and 700 mt. wide which is called as Central Vista. The Capital Complex adjoining this vista on the sides define the boundaries of  this open space and provide a definite edge to the space. The space has transformed into an important and busy public space for almost 60 years since independence. The area need to be seen as heart of  New Delhi/ India Heritage which is suffering from misuse/abuse of  green lawns, increased vehicular traffic parking needs and undesirable interventions.

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CPWD has proposed a comprehensive conservation oriented plan for Central Vista and details terms of references have been identified. The proposal need to be considered very carefully. Implementation policy need to be oriented specially with respect to security concerned and 26 January celebrations. 5.4 Shahjahanabad Redevelopment The Third Master Plan of Delhi (MPD 2001‐2021) has identified this area as a “Conservation Zone”. To work on the conservations of Shahjahanabad, the DUAC established a Task Force to dovetail new initiatives with the efforts Government was already considering. Discussions on the appropriate strategy to adopt have lead to the establishment of a “Special Purpose Vehicle” (SPV) to undertake the urban renewal of Shahjahanabad. The DUAC Task Force will focus on those parts of the city which are currently outside the scope of the various projects being implemented by the Government, viz., Jama Masjid Precinct Renewal, Chandni Chowk Renewal and the redesign of S. P. Mookerjee Marg in front of the Old Delhi Railway Station. It will attempt to improve the quality of life of the residents who live in the kataras and mohallas of Shahjahanabad. The initial focus of the DUAC Task Force will be on the area influenced by the route connecting the Chowri Bazaar and Chandni Chowk metro stations. Here it will try and catalyse the change in the mind set of the residents brought about by the introduction of  the metro to change the urban landscape. Planning Legislation and Professional Practice

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5.5 Zonal Development Plan For New Delhi On a request from the Prime Minister's office in 2006, the DUAC prepared a proposal to delineate the boundary of the "Lutyens' Bungalow Zone" and submitted it to the Ministry of  Urban Development in Feb. 2007. The proposal recommended the delineation of 3 zones: 1. The Bungalow Zone 2. The Garden City Zone 3. The Heritage City Zone The NDMC in November 2006 requested the DUAC to prepare a Zonal Development Plan, since the NDMC itself does not have a Town Planning Wing (which the MCD does). The DUAC accordingly appointed consultants for this purpose. A preliminary presentation was made before the Minister, Urban Development in January 2007, with the suggestion that the NDMC be declared a "Special area" in the MPD 2021, which was about to be notified. Subsequently, presentations were made at various stages, to the PMO and to the Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, Urban Development. 5.6 Tree Management Comprehensive assessment of street trees in New Delhi area is required through CPWD, MCD, Forest Department, NDMC & DMRC. Based on this a management programmed for improvement of the major vegetation, needs to be developed and implemented. The time frame should be 6‐9 months. Planting of new trees of substantial size to be initialized in February 2008 after identifying suitable sites. In April 2006, DUAC commissioned an exhibition of innovative urban design concepts entitled, “Imaging Delhi”. Many professionals contributed to this project, which exposed to the public the various ways, big and small, that Delhi could be made a better place to live in. One of the interesting proposals the exhibition presented was a scheme to link the city's precincts and open spaces in a cognitive system of networks. Two links are proposed to be examined: 1. Connecting Connaught Place to Shahjahanabad. 2. Purana Qila to Lodi Road. 5.7 Commonwealth Games Projects The projects related to the ensuing Commonwealth Games scheduled for October, 2010, have been referred to the Commission. The first category comprises of Stadium proposals and the Games Village which would be the venue of the Games. The second category comprise of other infrastructural projects for Planning Legislation and Professional Practice

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enhancing and expanding the City’s capacity to cater to the requirements of the large number of visitors to the City during the Games. In normal course the Commission considers proposals referred to it on a ‘first come first served’ basis. However, considering the tight time schedule within which the Commonwealth Games projects are scheduled for completion, the Commission scrutinized these projects on a priority basis, mostly discussing the projects in the same week as these are submitted to the Commission. The primary concerns of the Commission were a) Buildings should be energy efficient to the extent possible with efficient movement of  pedestrians as well as vehicles b) Conservation of existing green areas, retention of maximum number of existing trees and increase in green spaces through suitable planning of the layout/design of new buildings and infrastructure. c) Overall cumulative impact of the built form on the already exiting cityscape, heritage assets etc. 5.8 Imagining Delhi The DUAC showcased ideas, possibilities and proposals initiated by the Task Forces in a major exhibition of (link to catalogue) work in progress, entitled “Imagining Delhi”. The exhibition was organized through TVB School of Habitat Studies. The Exhibition themes were presented in a way as to be easily understood by non‐architects emphasizing how both small and more ambitious interventions could help make the city a more humane one. It emerged as almost self ‐evident that Delhi has the capacity to grow out of its own DNA, the genetic material of its culture, society, history and urban fabric, and that it not necessary to emulate unsustainable models developed in other countries. Delhi has its own natural heritage, its rich collection of built form, and vibrant populations with great entrepreneurial skill. The 72 panels of the Exhibition illustrated and explained specific possibilities connected with the following themes :‐ 1. Open Space 2. Water 3. Built Form 4. Moving around the City 5. Streets for Everyone 6. Bringing the City together 7. Participation Issues concerning the Capital were discussed in a series of seminars each evening during the Planning Legislation and Professional Practice

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Exhibition. 1. Bringing the City Together 2. Delhi’s Landscape 3. Transforming the Built Environment : Case of Central Delhi. 4. Making Heritage Work 5. Water for Delhi 6. The future of Delhi’s Transport 7. The other Half of Delhi : the case of East Delhi. 8. Streets for Everyone These programs suggested the feasibility of a constructive tripartite relationship between professionals, government bodies and citizens to chalk out a sustainable future for Delhi. 5.9 Road hierarchy & By‐Passes

Connaught Place and its extension have been designated as Metropolitan City Centre (MCC) in the master plan of Delhi. Traffic in and around the MCC continues as a nightmare requiring inter‐alia, a finely tuned implementable management particularly in terms of  pooled and in plots parking (below and above ground). Non‐destined traffic needs proper diversions from MCC, where as destined traffic needs the appropriate development of  its multi nodal public transport nodes. For diversion of  the non destined traffic the following transport movements are recommended by DUAC:‐ 1.

Linking Rajendra Prasad Road to Shankar Road.

2.

Link Road South of Ring Railway Line.

3.

Link Road between Kautilya Marg and Kushk Nallah.

4.

Link Road between Ring Road and Tilak Bridge.

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6. CONCLUSION This happened despite DUAC •

National Police Memorial: Under construction in Chanakyapuri. A CPWD project, it is to be completed by December 2004. It will block the view of Rashtrapati Bhavan from Shanti Path, as planned by Lutyen.

•

Le Meridien on Janpath: It was built after more than four Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone (LBZ) bungalows were pulled down. The height of the hotel is also said to be more than the limit.

•

Palika Kendra: The NDMC headquarters at Janpath was built after the original Town Hall building at the site, a colonial structure, was pulled down. Now there’s another similar structure next to it, mocking the height regulations.

•

Vikas Minar: DDA office at ITO is the tallest building in Delhi and violates height regulations.

All listed projects in the report and discrepancies in the working of  DUAC with above projects emphasized the need of  proper functioning with rules and regulations to be followed by the authority. The powers given to the commission makes it to do a lot more in carrying on maintenance of  the urban design quality of  any city hand in hand with conservation activities. Although a part of our priceless historical assets are dying their own natural death due to neglect, it is not too late to be aware of our glorious historical past: Letting the remnants of which to go into oblivion, we are going an unforgettable sin to the future generations. Let us maintain the only windows to the past intact.

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7. BIBLIOGRAPHY Books: •

ITPI Reader Volume‐ Planning Legislation & professional Practice Author: Prof. B.K.Sen Gupta, IIT Kharagpur

Websites: •

www.duac.org

•

cities.expressindia.com

•

www.urbanindia.nic.in

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