Page 93 - HUDCO-BPA21

URBAN DESIGN AND REGIONAL PLANNING, INNER CITY
REVITALIZATION & CONSERVATION

REVITALIZATION

OF A HERITAGE PRECINCT

- by Mahila Housing Trust, Gujarat

hmedabad became the first Indian city to be inscribed as UNESCO's 'World Heritage City' in 2017, owing to
the rich heritage imbibed in its traditional architecture and urban fabric called 'Pols'. The Pols area's
Atraditional form of densely packed neighborhoods made of wooden courtyard houses called pol houses and
havelis, opening on the streets and chowks lined by 'otlas' and enriched by traditional elements such as 'Bird
Feeders', Wells etc.
Over time, these pols have been impacted by old decaying infrastructure, deteriorating structures, uneven
pavements, unorganized public areas etc. This has resulted in diminished quality-of-life, diminished 'community
pride' and diminishing interest in conservation and maintenance of the beautiful structures and the public areas.

This project takes up the heritage precinct of Dhal ni Pol as a 'Pilot Project' to improve and revitalize it through a
participatory design and execution process, closely involving the community and empowering women. Through this,
it aims to increase awareness and reinstate the community pride and interest in the collective heritage. The project,
carried out in support of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is expected to become a model for improving
other pols and heritage precincts throughout the core walled city.

BACKGROUND paving etc. were identified as impediments tarnishing the
heritage character. These workshops highlighted a dire
Dhal ni Pol, is historically significant as it is located on a
need to improve the Pol's public areas, its old
mound that is considered the genesis point of
infrastructure along repair and restoration of houses by
Ahmedabad, originally populated by Bhil community in
individual owners. However, with 84% of the households
the 9th century AD. Dhal ni Pol is spread over an area of
having a monthly income of less than Rs. 15000/-, the
6.8 ha, housing over 10,000 no. of residents. As part of the
members of the community lacked the financial
initial stage, Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) conducted
resources.
many community workshops and surveys that identified
issues such as old and decaying infrastructure, uneven ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES
road surfaces, inconsistent street lighting, unorganized
Considering the deteriorating infrastructure, lack of
parking, restricted mobility and lack of fire safety
maintenance, lack of awareness, diminishing sense of
provisions. Apart from this, the visual clutter of signages,
pride and monetary resources, priorities for project
hanging cables, telephone and electricity boxes, broken
implementation were emphasized on the following:

Map of Ahmedabad showing AshabhilnoTekro and Dhal ni Pol
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