Integrating heritage conservation into urban land use: development plans and their impact on heritage conservation

Abstract

Heritage conservation in Indian cities is severely challenged by rapid urbanisation and changing city development plans. This study highlights the importance of incorporating heritage conservation into urban planning strategies, promoting sustainable strategies that consider tangible and intangible heritage. The research points out the encroachment of sites of historical importance, resulting in the loss of cultural icons, and emphasises the need to integrate heritage management into urban planning processes. Some of the major strategies highlighted to reverse the threats include the creation of heritage zones, the establishment of legal frameworks for the protection of historic buildings, and incentives for adaptive reuse of heritage assets. As cities grow, the integrity of intangible and tangible heritage tends to be compromised by land use change and infrastructure development. Globalization also makes it more difficult to conserve heritage, with economic development usually prioritized over cultural conservation. The study also refers to the economic advantages of conserving heritage, specifically in the form of heritage tourism, which can boost local economies. By looking into the adaptive reuse potential of heritage buildings, urban planners can design lively cultural spaces that respect the historical legacies while allowing future development. The research demands thorough examinations of the effects of urbanization on heritage areas and works towards measuring the implications of urban development on the value of heritage in various dimensions. Methodologically, the research uses literature reviews, case studies, and field surveys to measure the efficacy of heritage conservation policy. Finally, the study proposes best practices for heritage management through the implementation of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) method and community participation to provide long-term sustainability of cultural heritage considering continued urbanization and globalization. Keywords: Heritage impact assessment, Urbanization, Globalization, Heritage conservation policies, Urban development