A walk through the medieval streets of Mylapore, George Town, or Karaikudi reveals a lost history, where abandoned houses and institutions, built over a hundred years ago, now stand in disrepair. A reimagination of heritage cities by planning authorities, in collaboration with civic society, could rejuvenate these derelict neighbourhoods.
While newfound mobility and technology resulted in mega-cities with metros and automobiles, the medieval town, at its core, was often abandoned or subjected to densities far greater than it could absorb. Recognising this predicament, the First Master Plan of Chennai moved the inner-city markets and transport hubs to Koyambedu to decongest GeorgeTown and Parrys Corner. But it was not impetus enough to revive its heritage precincts.
Alexander Tzonis and Liane Lefaivre — architectural theorists, authors and historians, known for their interdisciplinary approach towards design theory, history, and political critique, leaving a lasting impact on architectural pedagogy and practice — discuss this urban phenomenon in the context of globalisation: how rapid urban growth has been responsible for large-scale constructions at the cost of losing identity through the erasure of historic precincts.
Professor Lefaivre believes cities across climatic regions are beginning to look alike, resulting in a loss of climate-responsive and site-specific spatial identity.
Most often, heritage buildings give way to uniform, hermetically-sealed and air-conditioned constructions, which rarely respond to climate.
Sustainable architecture
However, in the face of adverse environmental conditions, cities across the world are recognising the value of heritage in a refreshingly new context. Medieval structures often reveal significant cultural and climatic features that hold lessons for responding to inclement weather patterns, whether urban heat or incessant monsoons.
Vernacular architecture, with its shade and natural ventilation elements, creates a cooler micro-climate.
For instance, the shaded thinnai — a semi-open transitional space — subdues the harsh effect of the sun. In the past, it facilitated a communication between the street and home, embodying a spirit of hospitality for visitors and travellers. These elements manifested the idea of close-knit urban communities and festivals. Can these heritage elements reveal insights for the design of carbon-zero cities of the future?
Lessons from Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Aspinwall building in Fort Kochi.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
The two aspects of ‘celebrating urban life’ and ‘climate-friendly design’ are intrinsically linked. Transcending conventional notions of heritage, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (to be held from December 12, 2025 to March 2026) is an incredible example of how a medieval heritage town was transformed into a lively cultural art biennale with the support of the Kerala government. Medieval Kochi and Muziris are precincts with unique histories. The reimagination of the heritage precinct by Bose Krishnamachari — co-founder of Kochi-Muziris Biennale and recipient of Lifetime Fellowship Award from Kerala Lalit Kala Akademi — along with a group of artists, architects, filmmakers and citizen groups, was serendipitous.
The revival of Durbar Hall, Aspinwall and several other heritage precincts in Fort Kochi provided a new vision to an old town. Heritage homes were converted into homestays, cafes, art galleries and spaces for youth to host films and exchange ideas. The Biennale endeavoured to be open to all citizens, creating a newfound way of inhabiting the city. Sensitively conserved heritage dwellings, such as Durbar Hall, and other buildings enabled young artists to exhibit their works.
Design Ashram, Kozhikode
Design Ashram in Kozhikode.
Located on Gujrati Street in Kozhikode, Design Ashram reimagines a heritage home of an erstwhile joint family as a vital co-creative community space. The central courtyard, anchored by a peepul tree, hosts cultural events. The growing tree is a silent reflection of time. A backpacker’s hostel, co-working spaces, library and art gallery provide a forum for young artists, architects and designers. It’s a space for travellers to exchange narratives and experiences. The inward space also provides autonomy and freedom to express thoughts. Film screenings, book readings and theater shape this vibrant yet fragile community. Technical and engineering expertise not only extended the structure’s life but also revitalised its spatial character. Brijesh Shaijal — director and principal architect who set up Design Ashram — introduced steel reinforcements, carefully harmonising them with the spirit of the 150-year-old place.
Reuse of heritage buildings
The House of Mangaldas in Ahmedabad.
The blue city of Jodhpur has seen the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for new functions. It’s an intuitive response to preserving heritage homes while meeting contemporaneous needs. Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad, traditional dwellings, havelis, and pols (traditional clustered neighborhoods with shared walls, community gates, and heritage wooden havelis) remain a vital part of the modern city. It often sustains indigenous craft communities that constitute the intangible heritage of the city. The House of Mangaldas is an archetypal intervention where a haveli has been reimagined. Built in the early 1920s by a textile owner in Ahmedabad, the haveli was transformed into a cafe, hotel, serviced apartment, and a design studio with a craft shop. Such projects are often community-based and reveal architecture’s potential to shape the re-imagination of urban spaces.
Alternative purposes
Metropolitan Development Authorities could evolve more appropriate heritage guidelines and regulations to revive heritage buildings for contemporary youth needs: vocational training, filmmaking, art, café-libraries, theater, science galleries, research, and scriptwriting workshops, and other educational and aspirational needs.
Homestays in heritage homes can provide housing to visiting scholars and artists. The intent is to provide sustainable frameworks that are practical and recognise the economic context.
The Connemara Public Library, Chennai.
Photo: R.Ragu
| Photo Credit:
R. RAGU
The UNESCO World Heritage Convention recognises that heritage precincts have historically been overlooked as sustainable architecture, despite their environmental, cultural, and economic contribution.
The 2030 Agenda by the United Nations recognises the role of heritage in sustainable development and its universal value.
A holistic programme of revival of heritage precincts — in this context, George Town, Triplicane, and other areas — provide a potential to rejuvenate urban life, while addressing urban heat and monsoons. Several nations have recognised the economic impetus, and are providing a sustained creative livelihood to craft communities and allow a social cohesion. The intangible value of these precincts contributes to urban renewal and provides individual families a new lease of livelihood with support of the government and policies. One such example is the revival of heritage precincts in Rajasthan’s towns. It has demonstrated resilience, addressing natural disasters, heatwaves, and other risks with minimal investment. Beyond cultural renewal, the appropriate revival of heritage—whether in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, or Rajasthan—has shown how towns across India demonstrate pragmatic resilience. They address natural disasters, heatwaves, and other risks through cohesive adaptation to the local climate.
The writer is an architect, academician and the founder of Artes Roots Collaborative.
Published – May 03, 2025 11:00 am IST
