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EN
ES
FR
Réf.
42826
Type
conference item
Titre
Revival of Kolkata’s Chinatown: Democracy and its Role in Safeguarding the Heritage of Ethnic Minorities in India
Langues
English
Auteurs
Bose, Kamalika
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
community participation / ethnic minorities / historic quarters / sustainable development / urban areas / cultural identity / town planning / built heritage / immigration / ownership / conservation / cultural significance / values / revitalization / town and country planning / economic aspects / social aspects / public awareness / ethnography / customs and traditions / minorities
Pays mentionnés
India
Monuments et sites
Chinatown, Kolkata, India / The Cha Project
Résumé en anglais
The eclectic history of India’s immigrant and minority communities have shaped and left anindelible imprint on its pluralistic ethos and cultural diversity. As a hallmark of India’s democracy is the
commitment to safeguard and integrate these diversities - ethnic or religious - into mainstream notionsand approaches to urban heritage. And yet ethnic heritage is rapidly at risk due to a range of debilitating
factors. As the India of today moves towards embracing the ‘smart city’ idea while turning a new tidetowards majoritarian politics - what is the role and future of ethnic heritage in Indian cities? What are
attitudes and approaches that permit their heritage-led regeneration, as a tool to contain gentrification,boost local economy while restoring urban spaces and streetscapes that celebrate diversity and
inclusiveness?This paper addresses the preservation and sustainable management of Kolkata’s ethnic neighbourhoods,
through the case of its Chinatown – the only such historic settlement in South Asia. The city's Chinesewith a 250-year history, continue to enrich Calcutta's urban culture through built heritage and traditional
practices. And yet Chinatown witnesses emigration and urban decline, low institutional will and politicalinertia. Invigorated through community-based urban strategies, initiated under The Cha Project, the
paper establishes Chinatown’s formal and associational values held closely by this ethnic minority.A detailed architectural and cultural survey, its socio-cultural and economic mapping today informs the
heritage-oriented urban regeneration for the Indian Chinese. The paper will elucidate pathwaysattempted by The Cha Project to seek answers for oft-contested issues of custody, ownership and
collective identity within ethnic heritage in India. This ongoing project’s appropriate implementation andsuccess could be a watershed for urban conservation in Kolkata and a model for strengthening diversity
of cultural experiences within fast-homogenizing Indian cities.
commitment to safeguard and integrate these diversities - ethnic or religious - into mainstream notionsand approaches to urban heritage. And yet ethnic heritage is rapidly at risk due to a range of debilitating
factors. As the India of today moves towards embracing the ‘smart city’ idea while turning a new tidetowards majoritarian politics - what is the role and future of ethnic heritage in Indian cities? What are
attitudes and approaches that permit their heritage-led regeneration, as a tool to contain gentrification,boost local economy while restoring urban spaces and streetscapes that celebrate diversity and
inclusiveness?This paper addresses the preservation and sustainable management of Kolkata’s ethnic neighbourhoods,
through the case of its Chinatown – the only such historic settlement in South Asia. The city's Chinesewith a 250-year history, continue to enrich Calcutta's urban culture through built heritage and traditional
practices. And yet Chinatown witnesses emigration and urban decline, low institutional will and politicalinertia. Invigorated through community-based urban strategies, initiated under The Cha Project, the
paper establishes Chinatown’s formal and associational values held closely by this ethnic minority.A detailed architectural and cultural survey, its socio-cultural and economic mapping today informs the
heritage-oriented urban regeneration for the Indian Chinese. The paper will elucidate pathwaysattempted by The Cha Project to seek answers for oft-contested issues of custody, ownership and
collective identity within ethnic heritage in India. This ongoing project’s appropriate implementation andsuccess could be a watershed for urban conservation in Kolkata and a model for strengthening diversity
of cultural experiences within fast-homogenizing Indian cities.
Document joint
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