Matheran
is a historic hill Station in the Raigad district of Maharashtra,
India, about 90 kms from Mumbai Founded
in 1850, it is one of the last hill resorts
established by the British. The project currently is in
the final phase of completion Objectives:
Identification of the cultural significance, 'Listing'
(grading) of built and natural heritage. Propose a sustainable
development planning and conservation strategy.
Kirtida
Unwalla - a graduate of Bandra School of Art, Mumbai (1979)
has been in private practice since 1983 and teaches at
many city colleges. She is a recipient of the Charles
Wallace India Trust and British Council Scholarship for
training in architectural conservation. Suneeta Samant
- a graduate of Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Mumbai
(1979), a post-graduate in Planning (1988), has been in
private practice since 1983. She has been a teaching faculty
at many city institutes in the city and a planning consultant
to CIDCO. Their first joint venture has been "Dahanu &
Environs - a study" in 1989. Their practice involves Planning,
Urban Design and Architectural Conservation. PACE (Planning,
Architecture, Conservation & Environment), a consultant
firm was formulated (1991) with the addition of Harshad
Bhatia and Vikas Dilawari.
Critical appraisal of the draft (d.p.)
modifications
Approach: Identify cultural significance by
subjective methodology for built and natural heritage.
A multi level approach adopted for sustainable planning
strategy Guidelines for conservation and design
control at each level - from the region to a property.with
the addition of Harshad Bhatia and Vikas Dilawari.Identify
conservation areas as representative
cultural cores
A report with designed format list cards, maps, character
appraisal, statement of cultural significance and guidelines
for conservation
"Maheshwar
- an approach to Conservation" and "Banganga Tank & Environs"
were amongst major projects undertaken by PACE.
The
Bhika Behram Well, Fort - Mumbai, is a Grade I
heritage structure. A prominent Parsee citizen
sunk the well in 1725 and the pavilion was added
in the 1950's. The project is currently in the
mid phase of completion. APPROACH:
The Well and Pavilion premises is highly venerated
by the Zoroastrian community and as such has received
structural and management care
in the form of philanthropic contributions. The
structure had reached a state of disrepair and
needed urgent repairs. The repair specifications
are sufficient to indicate a process to restrain
decay without damaging the essential architectural
and historic character of the building and site.
PROJECT
PROPONENTS: BHIKA BEHRAM WELL TRUST FUNDING AND
WORKS: SHAPOORJI PALLONJI & CO. LTD.
Dahanu
is the headquarters of Dahanu Taluka in the Thane District,
125 Kms. north of Mumbai. Historically a Portuguese Port,
the present economy is horticulture and fishing. It is
the only surviving green belt in the north of the state.
AIMS:
To formulate a comprehensive database for development
planning, a basic ecological appraisal of the proposed
thermal power plant in the creek was made and analysis
of
the carrying capacity of the horticulture economy and
draft development plan (1993) was performed. Lastly,
action area plans for the old dahanu village and the
railway station core as pilot projects were prepared,
with recommended landuse and circulation network plans
for sustainable development.