The Times of India 01.09.2009
JMC move to revise by-laws
JAIPUR: The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC), has taken the initiative to revise and strengthen existing by-laws. According to Shikha Jain, director, Development and Research Organisation for Nature Arts and Heritage (DRONAH), the restoration consultant, the Jaipur Nagar Nigam had asked for a proposal to prepare a comprehensive urban design guideline and by-laws for the Walled City. JMC wants this as a checklist to approve development, extension and conservation work executed by private owners or government departments.
Meant to supplement the ongoing initiatives, the special regulations handbook includes the formulation of facade control and urban design guidelines for the entire Walled City. The guidelines essentially are meant to be used by the JMC Heritage Conservation Committee/Heritage Cell to review any projects or proposals in the Walled City.
So far, around 35% of houses in the inner city and "chowkris" have been demolished since 1971 and replaced with new structures by their owners. While the city's residents' leaning towards modern trends and architecture keeps increasing, tourists who come from all over the world are gradually missing the familiar (historic) template of the city, which they are so familiar with, thanks to the sites on the Internet and other sources, which depict the city's splendour through its grand construction.
However, striking a balance, the "special regulations handbook" is also meant for the users/owners of buildings in the Walled City. It helps them maintain the historic character of the city.
Steered by DRONAH, in association with their local partner, Jaipur Virasat Foundation, the recommendations have evolved out of surveys and analysis of the entire historic core spread in an area of 6.7 sq km to determine characteristic guidelines for each city area.
"Each area (chowk, commercial street, inner street) in the Walled City will also have a Facade Control Guidelines Booklet. There are details on planning and use of spaces, architectural typologies, street facade elements and furniture," said Jain.
But like any other project, despite the in-principal approval, the project is still awaiting the final approval by the JMC.
Box
Considering the scale and nature of the Walled City, it is proposed that the work will be carried out in phases taking the two of the following areas in each phase:
1. City Gates and City Walls
2. Chowks and Commercial Streets
3. Chowkri Purani Basti Inner streets and Public Spaces
4. Chowkri Topkhana Desh Inner streets and Public Spaces
5. Chowkri Modikhana and Chowkri Visheshwarji Inner streets and Public Spaces
6. Chowkri Ghat Darwaza Inner streets and Public Spaces
7. Chowkri Ramchandraji Inner streets and Public Spaces
8. Chowkri Gangapol Inner streets and Public Spaces
9. Chowkri Topkhana Hazuri Inner streets and Public Spaces
10. Chowkri Sarhad Public Spaces, road widths and Public Building facades
