Conservation of 19th Century Historic Streetscape in North Calcullta_ A Case of Chitpur Road

Abstract

Calcutta (presently Kolkata) is a linear city that has grown along the eastern bank of the river Hugli also spelled Hooghly, and traditionally called the Ganges, in the West Bengal State of India. It served as the capital city of British India from 1773-1910. Calcutta as a city didn't exist before the arrival of the British merchants. Three villages, one popular for cotton (Sutanuti), one for pilgrimage (Kolikata) and the other had few local businessmen and zamindars (Gobindapur), were leased to the East India Company, to set up their Factory. Chitpur Road marked the foremost linkage, connecting the Chitteshwa ri temple in the north to the Kalighat temple in the south. Hence it was looked upon as a pilgrim's axis and was the primary link in the north-south direction.

The British developed colonial architecture in the central business district and the residential area designated for them. In the Chitpur area of north Calcutta, the Indians constructed buildings following European styles, but modifying parts according to their own social customs , individual choices and dictation - thus introducing a new style which was termed "Bengal Baroque" and generally called the "indigenous style". Other old buildings have multi-faceted architectural typology and bear the history of eminent personalities of the society, thus constituting an overall cultural setting and still house vibrant ethnic communities.

However, many old buildings are in bad physical condition and have legal litigation. Today tremendous development pressures and uncontrolled traffic circulation within this historic district are raising a threat to the histor ic built fabric, cultural assets and the essence of the place.

The study focuses on analyzing and discover ing major potential areas for conservation along the streets in 19th century North Calcutta which will preserve and enhance the local identity, uniqueness and cultural assets of the streetscape. Preserve and Revitalize soul of the heritage streetscape of Chitpur Road to reflect the city's unique character by encouraging aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative and secured environment. The study further aims at creating an awareness of the fast disappearing street character that has high value, so that appropriate steps can be taken to conserve it before it is completely lost and also intends to help in the process of revival of the streetscape, which will lead to affirming and promoting city and its people‘s individual and collective cultural identity. The study is carried out through primary and secondary studies at an area level (North Calcutta), Site level (Chitpur Road) and building level (Built Heritage at Chitpur Road). Various architectural documentation, mapping, listing techniques are introduced with physical and social survey for the assessment of transformation, analysis of present condition, social structure, neighborhood organization etc. The whole site of Chitpur Road (approximately five kilometers) is divided into five major zones to achieve circumstantial study, Also acknowledging the fact that not only we are looking at historic structures but also into modern buildings as resource for conservation. It is important to keep in mind that we being stepping into the next millennium the period of discussion has already became a layer of past that needed to be conserved. When dealing with streetscape, it is equally important to acknowledge complex relationship between new and the old; the objective of conservation and its object, the dynamic and mutable urban whole. Thus this study and the proposals will perhaps contribute to create awareness; to tackle the conservation efforts and protect the rich heritage of Chitpur Road through participation of general public of the neighborhood so to have a participatory approach of making conservation a sustainable activity and to explore different possibilities with the help of conservation professionals. The awareness has to reach all strata and group of the society, all the stakeholders to come together to develop a conclusive plan to save the street character from vanishing into oblivion. The listing and condition assessment done will help to identify certain buildings, precincts, open space to strategies the conservation action plan; to ensure that their special interest is taken fully into account in decisions affecting their future and for Government to include these as an asset in the planning process, laying down appropriate laws and guidelines for protection.