Heritage Regained

All good things have small beginnings, and if things go well, we might have a whole new lease of life for Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road. In Feb...

All good things have small beginnings, and if things go well, we might have a whole new lease of life for Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road. In February 2000, my column in Mumbai Newsline had highlighted the issue of proliferation of signboards along historic streets and the obliteration of heritage facades. A case in point were the glaring, insensitive signboards that created a visual chaos along the Dadabhai Naoroji Road.

Since the guidelines were approved by the Heritage Committee in February 2000, thanks to the active co-operation of the BMC officials, local shopkeepers and active citizens, the streetscape has undergone a virtual transformation. Large, bulky signboards have been removed to expose the arched openings of the buildings, while many a facade has undergone a drastic clean-up to create a uniform line of shop fronts.

The intent of this entire exercise has been that of promoting citizens to own up to their responsibility for caring for a common architectural heritage. The local ward office has been the venue for many a lively meeting where over a hundred shopkeepers of the area have debated on sign board designs, placements and deadlines to come up with a common acceptance of the Heritage Streetscape and Signage Guidelines drafted for the MMR Heritage Conservation Society. A series of such monthly magazines have been critical in creating a grass root level understanding of these regulations, so that each citizen with a business establishment on the heritage spine is acutely aware of the significance of this task.

The next step for reviving this heritage spine would be that of implementing asensitive street furniture scheme. The designs for cast iron railings, benches and sign posts that conform to the historic ambience of this area have already been drawn up and the next phase of implementation is due to begin.

Corresponding with this, is a need for creating a funding support system to finance the restoration of this fantastic architectural ensemble and even for this, a collaborative effort on the part of citizens and the government is much needed.