Abstract
India, boasting millennia of history, showcases a diverse and culturally rich architectural legacy. Its extensive landmass and large population contribute to a wealth of cultural and natural heritage. Surprisingly, only around 15,000 heritage structures and landmarks enjoy legal protection. Even those of national, state, and local significance that are safeguarded face threats from urbanization, neglect, vandalism, and potential demolition. This prevailing state of heritage preservation for a substantial portion of India's national legacy arises from our failure to demonstrate that conservation endeavours can lead to more sustainable development outcomes. These heritage sites are intertwined with the lives of the surrounding communities. It is imperative to incorporate heritage management into the broader, community-defined development objectives. The current planning process in India is heavily centralized, resulting in limited community engagement in the heritage sector. This has created a divide among the people, obstructing the conservation efforts. This article aims to shed light on the factors contributing to the lack of community involvement and propose potential solutions, drawing insights from a case study of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti Urban Renewal Project.
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