Coming under regulation: signs of any kind around heritage structures

Under the new rules,signs can be put up only after permission from the municipal commissioner who can allow a bare minimum functional signs on the advice of the Heritage Committee. The size and type vary according to the grade of the heritage structure. The rules state only signs put up just above the shop opening will be allowed and these cannot be backlit or neon signs. Also,no wraparound or overhead signs on terraces that cover the architectural or ornamental features will be allowed as “they distract the historic silhouette and skyline”.

Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari said cities like Venice have made efforts to mute signs on buildings. Closer home,the Hiranandani complex in Powai does not allow signs. “If a modern complex can do away with signs,why can’t historical buildings? A person walking on Ballard Estate,Fort,Kala Ghoda or Colaba will find the screaming signs of the shops more prominent than the beautiful buildings itself. At Fort,the wraparound signs deface the buildings and together take up more space than the hoardings in the area,” said Dilawari.

Heritage activist Sharada Dwivedi gives the example of art deco buildings at Marine Drive where residents have put up box grills outside their balconies killing the detailing of the structure. “Some years ago,the collector had threatened to revoke the leases of more than 20 buildings at the Backbay Reclamation,including the art deco building where I stay. This was because these buildings had broken the lease conditions against huge signs,” said Dwivedi.

The new draft regulations also state that in heritage precincts,only period furniture matching the historical and architectural style of the locality will be allowed after the approval of the heritage panel.

External airconditioning units cannot not be fixed on the front façade of heritage buildings,though the Heritage Committee may allow it in exceptional cases. The draft rules have put the onus on the ward office for ensuring that the façade of heritage buildings are kept intact.