Cultural placemaking in heritage circuit: strengthening local identity in vadodara’s old city

Abstract

In the context of rapidly transforming urban environments, the identity of historic city cores is increasingly at risk. Heritage circuits - once vibrant cultural spines of cities - are now often overlooked amidst modernization, infrastructural development, and changing socio - economic dynamics. These spaces, deeply embedded with collective memory, traditions, and everyday public life, require thoughtful intervention to remain relevant and meaningful to contemporary communities. Cultural Placemaking, as an approach rooted in community engagement and local identity, offers the potential to not only conserve tangible heritage but also to revive the cultural life of historic urban spaces. This thesis explores how cultural placemaking can serve as a tool for revitalizing heritage corridors by fostering inclusive, community - driven public spaces that reflect the evolving identity of place. It investigates how the layering of history, spatial character, and socio-cultural practices can be translated into urban design strategies that are both sensitive to context and responsive to contemporary urban needs. Vadodara’s old city, with its dense built fabric, rich architectural legacy; and culturally diverse communities, serves as the primary case for this exploration. The thesis analyzes how physical deterioration, traffic congestion, and loss of public space have impacted the lived experience and cultural expression of the area. Through extensive site studies, community interactions, and spatial analysis, the research identifies key urban issues and latent opportunities within the corridor. The design response aims to re-establish cultural continuity by enhancing public spaces, reactivating underused heritage assets, and foregrounding local identity in the design process. The thesis ultimately proposes a framework for heritage - led urban regeneration that leverages cultural placemaking as a means to create vibrant, inclusive, and resilient public realms in historic urban centers. Keywords: Cultural placemaking, Local Identity, Historic urban cores, public spaces, Community engagement, Heritage circuit.