Urban regeneration must respect regional identity, says expert

Patna: Well-known architect and Rome-based Notre Dame University’s professor Ettore Maria Mazzola on Friday said as urban areas across the world undergo rapid transformations due to globalisation, population growth and technological changes, urban regeneration has become a key strategy to revive declining city areas.

However, regeneration often leads to loss of regional identity, cultural homogenization and destruction of historic urban fabric, he said.Delivering an expert lecture on ‘Achieving urban regeneration while maintaining regional identity through urban conservation’ at a function organised by the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Bihar branch, here, Mazzola said that urban conservation offers a framework to reconcile development with identity by ensuring that regeneration respects local culture, heritage, morphology and social memory.“Effective regeneration requires a holistic vision that integrates physical, social, economic and environmental dimensions, with coordination among govt agencies, the private sector and civil society. Planning should be context-specific, recognising that each Indian city has a unique character demanding a unique intervention,” he said, adding that while modern infrastructure (water supply, sanitation, transport, etc.

) is essential, its integration must be sensitive to the existing urban fabric to avoid destroying the area’s original charm and essence. Nature-based solutions and green infrastructure should be incorporated wherever possible to improve environmental sustainability.Architect C S Sinha was the chief guest on the occasion and the state govt’s chief architect Anil Kumar was the guest of honour.The event witnessed a large participation of architects, planners, academicians, professionals and students, engaged in the task of completing urban renewal projects. The newly appointed assistant architects of the state govt (through BPSC) were also felicitated on the occasion. IIA’s state president Abhishek Sharma proposed a vote of thanks.