MAHABAHU BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER HERITAGE CENTRE: A REVITALISATION AND REINCARNATION CATALYST.

Smita Datta Makhija

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Submission

Paper Title

MAHABAHU BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER HERITAGE CENTRE: A REVITALISATION AND REINCARNATION CATALYST.

Authors

Smita Datta Makhija

Modality

Abstract

Subject area

4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse - A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.

Publishing Date

11/04/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

Inglês

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/869003-mahabahu-brahmaputra-river-heritage-centre--a-revitalisation-and-reincarnation-catalyst

ISBN

978-65-272-1284-3

Keywords

Revitalisation, Reincarnation, Authenticity, Living heritage, Eco urbanism, Hydrology, Seismic resilient structural design, Seismic retrofit and Socially beneficial uses.

Summary

Indian approach to conservation for many decades post-Independence has been monument centric, guided by principles of the Venice Charter, especially article 9 “the aim of restoration is to preserve and reveal the aesthetic and historic value of the monuments and is based on respect for the original material and authentic documents”. In 1985 the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, INTACH, was set up and listing of the non-protected heritage revealed that the heritage resources were diverse and complex. This necessitated the creation of a strategy based on regional typologies and their relevance in contemporary life. Every region experimented and through the study of these projects strategies for heritage based sustainable development were determined. At the ICOMOS GA in 2017 the Delhi Declaration reflected on the commitment by ICOMOS to Heritage and Democracy as key ingredients in a people-based approach to sustainable development. This concept expanded on the article 5 of the Venice Charter “The conservation of monuments is always facilitated by making use of them for some socially useful purpose” This paper will take up revitalisation and reincarnation of an erstwhile British Deputy Commissioner's Bungalow in Guwahati, Assam into the “Mahabahu Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre” and demonstrate its potential to be a catalyst for change. This project respected the core principles of the Venice Charter and expanded upon them in the context of living heritage and eco urbanism. The mighty river Brahmaputra is a trans-boundary river which flows through Tibet, North-eastern India, and Bangladesh. Rejuvenation vision of this site was derived from maximising the potential of the dramatic positioning of this bungalow and its environs, with the mighty Brahmaputra wrapping around the site on the north. The masterplan for this site aimed to convert a dwelling unit, a Deputy Commissioners' bungalow, to a public cultural visitor facility. A continuity of use was found in making the site function as a think tank for the city. The conservation and conversion of the historic bungalow to an exhibition cum intellectual experiential space was scientific engineered, restored and retrofitted by the principle of minimum intervention in order to keep the original fabric intact. The Assam earthquake of 1897 had an estimated moment magnitude of 8.2–8.3. AT this juncture the British approached the Japanese seismologists and engineers to provide the seismic resilient structural design for buildings using local indigenous ways of construction and materials merged with the new engineering solutions. This project is a reminder of knowledge exchange between Japan and India that built resilience and risk preparedness in the seismic prone areas in North East India during the late 19th & early 20th centuries. The long term vision of this exercise is to rejuvenating the historic stretch along the river Brahmaputra front in Guwahati from the DC Bungalow to the Governor’s hill and creating a seamless link for providing community facilities, instilling pride in the residents and setting an example of how planned development can be integrated with historic settlement rejuvenation.

Title of the Event: ICOMOS SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2024
City of the Event: Ouro Preto
Title of the Proceedings of the event: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

MAKHIJA, Smita Datta. MAHABAHU BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER HERITAGE CENTRE: A REVITALISATION AND REINCARNATION CATALYST... In: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Anais...Ouro Preto(MG) Convention Center / UFOP/ UFMG Campus, 2024. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/869003-MAHABAHU-BRAHMAPUTRA-RIVER-HERITAGE-CENTRE--A-REVITALISATION-AND-REINCARNATION-CATALYST. Access in: 01/07/2025