Historic Cities: Imagining The Past As The Future, A Case of Ahmednagar | Masters Design Thesis on Architectural And Urban Conservation

Site Context

In the context of its sensitivity to its heritage within a larger urban context, the thesis aims to observe the urban growth in the Ahmednagar Region. From the 12th to the 19th centuries, Ahmednagar’s defined urban form—which included fortifications and city walls—as well as geoclimatic constraints restricted the settlement’s ability to physically expand.

However, a new set of challenges to city expansion and axis of growth emerged as a result of modernization, political and economic factors, growing urbanisation, and technological advancements. Both the formal and informal economies coexisted initially. A constant infiltration of modernity into tradition resulted from the old traditions beginning to accept and incorporate new cultural elements.

Design Process

The Historic Urban Landscape Approach (HUL) is a new urban planning approach that integrates territorial values, local values, and cultural and natural values with global practices. It addresses different urban scales and typologies, and plays an integrative role between stakeholders. Successful implementation requires connecting with international agendas, government commitment, and public engagement. HUL can enable sustainable systems, but its relevance requires understanding from multiple scholarly perspectives.

Enrico Fontanari’s historic urban landscape approach celebrates diversity and respect by analyzing cultural traditions and heritage resources. This approach helps in making informed decisions for sustainable urban management and conservation. Urban heritage can be a key asset for urban regeneration, reducing negative phenomena. The thesis focuses on current issues and phenomena related to social, financial, physical, and environmental aspects, highlighting the need for integrated planning and strategies.

The current interpretation of historic urban landscapes often emphasizes tangible aspects like monuments and archaeological sites, neglecting intangible elements like local food, lifestyle, and language. With increased tourism, large signage and information panels are often installed without public consultation, potentially degrading the value of the place. Reproduction work can also replace local identity, going against the principle of authenticity and taking away the place’s identity.

The goal is to revive Ahmednagar’s lost identity while preserving its heritage, integrating it with urban objectives, and promoting its social, cultural, and economic value. This involves establishing a heritage circuit, enhancing heritage sites and structures, and promoting their accessibility, aiming to create a heritage-sensitive urban future that fosters social, economic, and cultural growth.

The study reveals that Ahmednagar is a historic urban landscape with three prominent precincts: Bhingar, Ahmednagar fort, and Nalegaon. These sites and structures form the region’s historic urban landscape, influenced by rivers, streams, landforms, and rich architectural heritage. An integrated approach is needed to fully appreciate the rich history of Ahmednagar.

The study emphasizes the importance of considering all aspects of the historic urban landscape (HUL), including topography, geomorphology, hydrology, natural features, built environment, infrastructure, open spaces, gardens, land use patterns, and visual relationships, when drafting a management plan for the city and precinct. It calls for the creation of conservation guidelines and raising awareness among stakeholders to preserve heritage, rather than identifying and managing it as isolated objects.

Final Outcome

The goals of the proposed interventions are to preserve and enhance the elements of Ahmednagar’s historic urban landscape (HUL). The extent of the interventions spans from the region level to the building level, encompassing all aspects of the HUL, including topography, hydrology, natural features, and built environment; infrastructures above and below ground; open spaces and gardens; land use patterns and spatial organisation; perceptions and visual relationships; and all other elements of the urban structure that impact Ahmednagar’s significance. 

Regulations for preserving rivers and streams, topography, and open spaces have been proposed, and these regulations form the basis of the region-level interventions. Heritage trails are intended to create and tell a comprehensive picture of Ahmednagar by following guidelines for the preservation of historic precincts and a heritage circuit. Additionally, a visitor management plan is proposed for each of the project’s listed protected and unprotected sites and structures to provide the amenities that are required to strengthen their significance and presence in the landscape. 

The proposal includes a visitor management plan for all three historic precincts, enabling tourists to explore the historically significant streets of Bhingar and Nalegaon. To preserve the visual relationships, street furniture has been designed and guidelines have been imposed on historic streets. Due to cantonment laws, the public was unable to visit the Ahmednagar Fort, a vital component of the city. However, a plan to transfer ownership of the fort to ASI has been put forth, allowing visitors to see how the built-in fort has changed over time. Additionally, a public space inside the Ahmednagar Fort is proposed for events and activities, enabling people to connect with the local history. 

To restore them to continuity, adaptive reuse of the Wada’s and the Ahmednagar Fort’s buildings has been proposed as a tourist accommodation option and an interpretation centre. When these various interventions are combined, they are aimed to reduce vulnerabilities, promote all-around development, and increase Ahmednagar’s significance. 

Conclusion: The thesis uses Ahmednagar as a model to explain how historic buildings and monuments relate to their surrounding environment and urban form, thereby establishing the region as a Historic Urban Landscape that exhibits its significance in a broader context and offers opportunities for a heritage-sensitive future.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]