INTERNATIONAL
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Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the UNESCO

Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape (2011)

Special Edition Webinar Series

10 years on - Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape: Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward

November 2021

In partnership with Context UNESCO New Delhi and National Institute of Urban Affairs of India, in co-operation with Metropolis, and Centre for Heritage Conservation-CEPT Research and Development Foundation, Ahmedabad, are jointly organising a special edition of webinar series to mark the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape, adopted on 10 November 2011 by UNESCO General Conference.

UNESCO Recommendation addresses the need to better integrate and frame urban heritage conservation strategies within the larger goals of sustainable urban development, in order to support public and private actions aimed at preserving and enhancing the quality of the human environment. It suggests a landscape approach for identifying, conserving and managing historic areas within their broader urban contexts, by considering the interrelationships of their physical forms, their spatial organization and connection, their natural features and settings, and their social, cultural and economic values. Cities have emerged as one of the key players for achieving 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through development of sustainable urban policies and initiatives to make cities greener, more resilient and bring well-being for the citizens. South Asian cities face an unprecedented urbanization, in particular Indian cities which are projected to absorb an additional 416 million inhabitants by 2050. This is likely to result in a rapid and uncontrolled infrastructure development, which often takes place at the expense of natural ecosystems and citizens’ wellbeing. All the more, core areas of historic cities in South Asia have often a high concentration of poverty. The New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities recognise that culture, cultural heritage in urban areas in particular, has an essential role to play in realizing sustainable urban development for enhancing the liveability of cities. Cultural heritage is also recognised among the key catalysts to foster economic development and social cohesion in a changing global environment. Across the world, cities have been adopting innovative tools and approaches to better manage their heritage assets and integrating them in the overall city development. The Session I of the special edition intends to present a few model cases of the application of UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape from across the world, on the basis of which urban planners, architects, and municipalities along with academics and other stakeholders can discuss the opportunities, challenges and the way forward. The session II will shed light on the Role of Heritage in Sustainable Urban Development through Indian examples of integrating urban heritage in its different development missions. Session III will bring in examples of historic towns in South Asia that have infinite potential for adoption of HUL approach to enhance their liveability. Finally, the last session will adopt a 75-point action plan which could be considered for adoption by the historic cities to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in particular Goal 11 of making cities resilient, green and sustainable

                                                                                               Webinar IV

                                                                             16:30 – 18:00, 18 November 2021, Thursday

                                                                              Theme: Way forward for Historic Sites and Cities

16.30-16.35

Introduction and key takeaways from earlier webinars by Ajay Suri,

Sr. Advisor and Head-Inclusive Cities Centre, NIUA

16.35-16.45

Keynote address Kamran Rizvi, Additional Secretary- MoHUA (TBC)

16.45-16.55

Presentation and release of Action Points for Urban Local Bodies By NIUA

16:55-17.05

Short presentation on the Call for Action to accelerate inclusive urban and heritage management through HUL (TBC) By Jyoti Hosagrahar, Deputy Director, World Heritage Centre, Culture Sector UNESCO

17.05-17.50

Panel Discussion (suggested theme: What is the way forward for historic towns and cities) Moderator: Ajay Suri

Discussants: Arvind Kumar, Special Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, UDD, Telangana

Octavi de la Varga Mas, Secretary-General, Metropolis

Jordi Pascual, Coordinator-Culture Committee, UCLG

Stefania Abakerli, Senior Development Planner, World Bank Group

R K Vijayvargia, Chief Town Planner, Government of Rajasthan

Dr Saswat Bandopadhyay, Professor, CEPT University

17.50-17.55

Congratulatory message Ernesto Ottone, Assistant Director-General Culture UNESCO, (TBC)

17.55-18.00

Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks  Hitesh Vaidya, Director-NIUA