BBMP Heritage Section in the Proposed BBMP Act 2020

The Urban Heritage Guidelines in this part of the New BBMP Act tabled in the Assembly today is of interest- and in fact raised our eyebrows. Further reading in context of the larger provisions of the Act and a bit further fine tuning is required. However, our first-off, rough cut thoughts are as under :

1. It seems to have paid attention to the detailed #HeritageBeku response to the RMP31 .

2. some specific deletions need to be highlighted.

3. the focus on heritage incentives is laudable

4. the option of the city corporation having first right of refusal to heritage properties is a proactive step showing both interest and interest

5. How this is dovetailed into the KMC Town & Country Planning Act seems unclear

6. The setting up of the Heritage Conservation Committee is KEY, a step in the right direction. This is a critical framework for city heritage. However, it’s composition, structure, independence and duties need a more detailed study and further update as required

7. the focus is understandably skewed more towards built heritage.

8. How this plan dovetails with the Heritage Precincts outlined in the Revised Master Plan 2031 needs further detailing and understanding.

9. We would like a clear discussion with BBMP commissioner to understand this better

Basaveswara Circle Redesign

Among the many Road Junctions that have been earmarked for improvement, the Basaveswara Junction opposite Hotel Chalukya is the first on the list, given the upcoming inauguration of the Basaveswara statue by the Hon Vice President.

Not only those in the immediate vicinity, but the community, those in the broader east zone and road users, have come together to provide meaningful suggestions and inputs on this, so that this historical structure is something which will not only be functional, aesthetic but also something we can look back at in the future as something made into a collective, collaborative city treasure.

At the Mayor’s suggestion, an informal meeting (in fact using a car bonnet as a table!) was held on 22nd February with the architect Rakesh Kodoth and designer Ms Madhu clarifying the group’s concerns and doubts, while explaining the concept via PowerPoint to us. Traffic flow and pedestrian use is critical. High Grounds Police Traffic Inspector Basavaraja Teli also came in to understand the community point of view, traffic flow especially from experts like Raj Dugar, Sonal Kulkarni, Ajay Tandon etc. of Citizens for Citizens (C4C) who have already spent time on this. #HeritageBeku representative Priya Chetty-Rajagopal also gave her inputs on the design and spatial contiguity while High Point Building representatives were comfortable about their high rise building being requisitioned as an aesthetic backdrop for the new circle.

Aesthetics are important and we appreciated the attention to detail & heritage flavour on the pillars and murals, However the work already done behind the statue by the previous administration needs a relook. this needs to be integrated into the broader zone and look & feel as well.

The basic need to not look at Chalukya Junction in isolation vis-à-vis Traffic has been highlighted adequately with Pictures, Diagrams and Videos by Team C4C, since High Grounds Junction which is just 180m away has a direct impact on Basaveswara Junction. With improvements at High Grounds Junction for better traffic flow, the effect in the area will be to reduce the traffic congestion and pollution, which is what is most needed in Namma Bengaluru everywhere. Several edits to the Traffic Flow plan at Basaveswara Junction presented by the Architects have also been suggested so as to improve traffic flow. One must remember that massive traffic flows through these 2 junctions on account of nearby Vidhana Soudha as well as this being a major route to reach the Airport.

All these ideas and concerns before the meeting were pooled in by creating a whatsapp group, and shared with the informal team. ( Please refer the Annexure).

However there has been a long silence after that and we are deeply concerned that the plans for the circle might not incorporate or use the community ideas even at that later time. Hence before the design is finalized, tender is released and any further steps are taken, we earnestly request the primary stakeholders namely the Hon Mayor, the concerned Chief Engineer at BBMP, The DCP traffic and PWD (as required) to set up a meeting to share the progress and plans for the circle before any further steps are taken. We are confident that this idea and plan will reflect a truly community spirit and strong functionality if it is properly actioned . We also request our honorable MP (Bengaluru Central) Mr. PC Mohan and our local MLA Mr. Rizwan Arshad to provide their overview and guidance, given the heritage and strongly cultural aspects of this visible & venerable Basaveswara Circle.

We look forward to hearing on this and next steps on the Circle plans

Team Heritage Beku

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( Points raised pre meeting on 22 Feb)

*Basaveswara Circle Plans*

*Heritage*

What is the theme?

Matches with Basava Statue?

Reflects the space & community?

*Aesthetics*

What is the design?

Dovetailing into the police chowkis, Basava Samiti , High Ground Building frontage ( Shd be redone or painted)

*Traffic n flow *

Traffic Engineering expert consulted?TenderSure Compatible ?

Directionality and coordination with other circles ahead

Which is one way and not?

*Pedestrian safety*

Walkability

How do schools and walkers cross and move

What are the pedestrian spaces ?

what happens to skywalk?

Any underground passage or fresh construction?

*Subway underground*

To be removed or integrated as a heritage show or community space as per our suggestion to CS

*Sustainability*

Trees, shrubs planted?

Wires, cables , lights, boards are everywhere

Signboards ? Style and locations

Integration with Tendersure & Smart City spaces around ?

Community projects ( ongoing installation or display)

Solar lighting and power saving

Safety features

CCTV camera

#Bengaluru #Basava #BasaveswaraCircle #ChalukyaCircle

Draft Ward Heritage Manifesto

"You can't save what you don't love, and you can't love what you don't know."

Places matter.

Heritage comprises built, natural and cultural history and it is the duty of the city and its governance, particularly the most microscopic yet powerful platforms ie the Ward Committee to preserve, promote and protect it. If we follow the civic structure of city governance, with ward committees as its base, not only is it more effective, but we are better served & organised. Funding as needed, can follow as well.

Wards & Corporators have to look at #Heritage along the following lines :

Listing

This is key to any form of ward level heritage preservation. The RMP31 has a listing of all the heritage spaces in the city. Once the listing is set , it is easier to take the next steps. The wards should sort the heritage sites applicable to THEIR ward and ensure the concerned authorities are formally aware of the same.

Special Heritage zones declared by BBMP should be specifically listed.

Awareness

Every attempt should be made to have detailed information, write ups and detailing on these heritage spaces, so that the ward and community are made aware of the rich history around their homes. Public information and historians particularly informal storytellers in the community/ward should be encouraged.

Protection

A historian, civic minded official can be appointed the Ward Heritage Marshal, so there is accountability and proper overview. We are sure that this position will be heavily vied for.

It is also critical for the wards to make all provision with organizations like Intach #HeritageBeku ASI and PWD to ensure that the heritage spaces in the world are protected against disuse, disrepair vandalism, defacement interference, encroachment and spatial incongruity.

Once the comprehensive list is available , ward committees should do everything they possibly can to ensure they proactively and assertively protect the same. Keeping BBMP and other parastatals posted about the location and preservation needed is important.

Any departure or heritage breach should be dealt with strongly and penalties be stringently invoked, so that there is awareness and a strong message on respect for heritage.

Promotion

Each ward must take great pride in the history that is resident by ensuring regular walks, proper signage interface with local schools and colleges, working with RWAs, apartment associations to be guardians or sponsors of each space.

Integration

The very character of the ward lies imbued in the heritage of each space. Creating spaces around that meld and integrate with the heritage character of its history adds value and tremendous increase in the ward ownership and pride. Given that the spaces of history come from different spaces, religions and perspectives it is a natural way to integrate the community in a more holistic and meaningful way.

Restoration & Upkeep

Without scientific upkeep and restoration valuable Heritage can quickly disintegrate irrevocably. Leaning on experts in organisations like ASI, Intach, #HeritageBeku , historians and involving government is important. The need to ensure it is done as per global standards will not only ensure a greater sense of community and ownership but also create more footfalls, conversations, tourism and related benefits to the community. An update on each heritage location should be part of what committees quarterly reviews. They should also be listed on the Wikipedia ward details so that the public is aware.

Funds required for specific heritage spaces, should be budgeted by the ward or via a larger city or BBMP Heritage Corpus

Ward Awards

Homes or institutions which preserve places of heritage should be recognized in an annual ward event every year. We would also encourage Intach, #HeritageBeku and BBMP to encourage applications from wards and ward marshals who have done extraordinary work in preserving, maintaining, promoting the community heritage by annual awards and special mentions.

To conclude, annual appraisals and mapping will showcase wards who have preserved their ward heritage as well as all other ward level parameters on water, power, waste, welfare etc, and this is a much desired governance outcome.

#WardCommittee #HeritageConservation #HeritageMarshall