The Hindu 21.04.2010
HMDA to earmark heritage zones
T. Lalith Singh
Zones for conservation include Golconda-Charminar route and Habshi Kaman
HMDA favours property tax waiver for listed heritage structures
HYDERABAD: Seeking to provide impetus to the initiative on conservation of heritage structures in and around the city, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has come out with new concepts.
As part of this, it has been proposed to earmark heritage zones and avenues in places that boast of historicity and architectural values too. Such zones that could be considered for specific regulations aimed at conservation include the ancient route between Golconda fort and Charminar passing through the fort's main street and Habshi Kaman.
Market stretch
While this falls in circles V and VII of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), also proposed in circle V is the historic market stretch of Laad Bazar and the Patherghatti area which spreads into the Circle IV too. The proposal also makes a mention on the pedestrian character of General Bazar in the GHMC Circle VIII.
The HMDA, which for the first time had integrated heritage buildings and precincts in the draft revised master plan notified for objections and suggestions, floats the idea of identifying ‘heritage avenues' for façade regulations.
This is meant for conservation of façade at locations such as Patherghatti and General Bazar and not allowing alterations and thus ensuring that the unique character is not lost.
A presentation for the Heritage Conservation Committee brought out by the HMDA stresses the need to suggest and prescribe architectural guidelines for such areas on the basis of certain unique characteristics and with respect to urban design, heritage and environment. Specific urban design guidelines have to be formulated for granting new development permissions by the GHMC, it states.
Meanwhile, the authority has mooted another proposal to have property tax for the listed heritage structure waived.
The waiver provides for the money thus saved to be ploughed back into the maintenance and upkeep of these structures.
The idea had been discussed with the GHMC and is to be forwarded to the government for consideration.
