Votre ressource mondiale sur le patrimoine
EN
ES
FR
Réf.
42798
Type
conference item
Titre
The legacy of Patrick Geddes in India and conservation of shared Indo-Danish Heritage in Serampore as an example of a current approach
Langues
English
Auteurs
Aalund, Flemming
Lieu de publication
Charenton-le-Pont
Pays de publication
France
Maison d'édition
ICOMOS
Date
2018
Titre de conférence
ICOMOS 19th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium "Heritage and Democracy"
Lieu de conférence
New Delhi, India
Date de conférence
13-14th December 2017
Mots-clés
development / cultural heritage / built environment / participation / town and country planning / economic aspects / social aspects / historic urban landscapes / public awareness / communities / stakeholders
Pays mentionnés
Denmark / India
Monuments et sites
Serampore, West Bengal, India
Personnalités
Geddes, Patrick
Résumé en anglais
India’s cultural heritage is so complex and overwhelming that the concern for a timelyconservation often concentrates on the historic monuments of outstanding importance, leaving less
concern for ordinary heritage that otherwise play a vital role in the immediate environment, where peoplelive and work.
Often people get so accustomed to the place they are living, that they hardly notice the qualities in thebuild environment, and due to the increase of population the sheer pressures for improved housing
provide a lucrative market for real estate development. The general attitude is possibly relating to the ideathat India is a developing country and people are looking to the future only. In this process of
modernization there is an imminent risk that historic buildings and heritage values are being irrevocablylost, even before they have been identified, documented and appreciated.
Far ahead of his time the Scottish town planner, Patrick Geddes advocated a ‘conservative surgery’ takingpoint of departure in
a civic survey of the whole set of existing conditions. Engaged with planning ofeighteen Indian cities between 1915 and 1919 he left an important legacy that remains an underrated
source of inspiration for modern city improvement less expensive and productive of more enjoyment.Serampore, previously a small village on the Hooghly River, was in Danish possession for about 100
years from 1755 to 1845. During this time the place developed as a thriving trading post, and morerecently it has become an industrial and commercial town that forms part of the greater Kolkata urban
conurbation. In a nutshell the town represents all the problems facing conservation of heritage and urbandevelopment in India due to rapid population growth, rising land value, poverty and lack of proper
sanitation and infrastructure. For about five years the National Museum of Denmark has been concernedwith conservation of the Indo-Danish Heritage working in close cooperation with local partners. This
presentation explains the context of work and justifies why conservation of heritage can be of greatbenefit to all concerned.
concern for ordinary heritage that otherwise play a vital role in the immediate environment, where peoplelive and work.
Often people get so accustomed to the place they are living, that they hardly notice the qualities in thebuild environment, and due to the increase of population the sheer pressures for improved housing
provide a lucrative market for real estate development. The general attitude is possibly relating to the ideathat India is a developing country and people are looking to the future only. In this process of
modernization there is an imminent risk that historic buildings and heritage values are being irrevocablylost, even before they have been identified, documented and appreciated.
Far ahead of his time the Scottish town planner, Patrick Geddes advocated a ‘conservative surgery’ takingpoint of departure in
a civic survey of the whole set of existing conditions. Engaged with planning ofeighteen Indian cities between 1915 and 1919 he left an important legacy that remains an underrated
source of inspiration for modern city improvement less expensive and productive of more enjoyment.Serampore, previously a small village on the Hooghly River, was in Danish possession for about 100
years from 1755 to 1845. During this time the place developed as a thriving trading post, and morerecently it has become an industrial and commercial town that forms part of the greater Kolkata urban
conurbation. In a nutshell the town represents all the problems facing conservation of heritage and urbandevelopment in India due to rapid population growth, rising land value, poverty and lack of proper
sanitation and infrastructure. For about five years the National Museum of Denmark has been concernedwith conservation of the Indo-Danish Heritage working in close cooperation with local partners. This
presentation explains the context of work and justifies why conservation of heritage can be of greatbenefit to all concerned.
Document joint
14._ICOA_631_Aalund_SM.pdfLicence
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike (BY-NC-SA)
ICOMOS International Secretariat - 11 rue du Séminaire de Conflans
94220 Charenton-le-Pont, France
Tel. +33 (0) 1 41 94 17 59
E-mail : secretariat@icomos.org
Pour toute demande presse & média, contacter : communication@icomos.org
