How to keep community precincts INTACH

The threads of the migrant communities who peopled this city in the early 19th and 20th centuries created a cosmopolitan fabric that is being eroded by the homogeneity of progress, said Sujata Patel, professor of history, University of Pune. This cosmopolitan face was reflected in presentations on the distinct domestic precincts of Khotachiwadi, Bandra Village, Parsi colonies, Matharpakadi and Bhuleshwar, revealing how they have been encroached upon and defaced.

Bandra Village, the area contained in the triangle between St Andrew8217;s, Mount Carmel and St Peter8217;s churches came alive in the paper presented by David Cardoz, conservationist and lecturer at the Kamla Raheja School of Architecture. 8220;The original village of Bandra stands no longer. What we have today are settlements that have sprung up between theolder ones,8221; he said.

The homes in the village were of two typologies, both with simple designs. The charm of the first lay in its uncomplicated layout 8212; with a garden, thick walls and a unique attic space which can be a possible living space today, he explained. The second type was built around squares and had verandahs that were extensions of the street. 8220;Residents gossiped with their neighbours across the square, haggled with passing hawkers and relaxed with music and a moonlight smoke here,8221; he said.

The village8217;s precincts are today under threat from a variety of quarters. One is the insensitivity of people who construct buildings which are incongruous with the delicate, old-world charm of the neighbourhood. 8220;Architects and property developers have to be aware enough to ensure that their constructions fit in with the surroundings,8221; Cardoz remarked. Another problem is that the winding lane of the existing village is now being used as connector between Bandra8217;s spine 8212; Hill Road 8212; andReclamation causing congestion and noise. 8220;The more serious threat of course are encroachments that sadly shun all conceivable standards,8221; he added.

Matharpakadi, the twilight village8217;, in the heart of Mazgaon, was highlighted by Dr Pankaj Joshi, conservationist, who included images of porches, balconies and verandahs in a web of by-lanes, all culminating at a little chapel in a central square. One of the most striking features of these one-storey constructions are the long verandahs with balconies designed with the exquisite intertwining of fretwork. 8220;MHADA seems to pick on the the buildings which have the most beautiful fretwork and the greatest chances of survival, for demolition,8221; Dr Joshi remarked.

Architect Sen Kapadia hoped for the conservation of Khotachiwadi with its quaint homes embellished with balconies decorated with ornate wrought-iron or embedded with stained glass motifs. 8220;But, we cannot hope for the survival of the people if the area is left pristine. Should we then allow for theland usage, within reason,8221; he wondered.

8220;Those who cannot maintain beautiful, old buildings should find the courage to give them up to people who will maintain them. One of the solutions could be a creative fusion between old and new,8221; felt Brinda Somaya, in the last session discussing the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings.

Andre Rathmaan talked of Deutsche Bank8217;s renovation of Kodak House and Tata Palace so that the impressive, ancient facade could house the computers and executives of this financial institution. 8220;One needs enormous patience to renovate old buildings in this country. Reams of paperwork, tolerance of co-workers, and realistic considerations like air-conditioning in high-ceilinged rooms have to be dealt with. You have to be ready for anything that you may suddenly come across,8221; he observed. 8220;More importantly, it is essential to reuse any material in good condition. In the bank, we have used 90-year-old tiles and Burma wood in the renovation,8221; he added.

Another success has beenthe renovation of Jindal House, originally a palace, on the property of the Maharajah of Darbhangha by Feroze Panthaky and his architect associates.

The way ahead is nebulous as legislation protecting Mumbai8217;s domestic heritage are few, observed D M Sukhantar, chairperson, Urban Heritage Conservation Committee. 8220;When we speak of protecting a precinct, we mean that the atmosphere of that place has to be somehow preserved. How do we transform this into regulatory guidelines,8221; he wondered.

A solution to this could be to make developers consider the skyline of a heritage precinct before adding some monstrosity to it. The committee also identifies and protects buildings on the heritage list, vets renovation and has set up a sub-committee to look into the defacing of the city8217;s skyline by hoardings and roads by street furniture and awkward dividers.