Nature, Culture and Humans: Patterns and Effects of Urbanization in Lesser Himalayan Mountainous Historic Urban Landscape of Chamba, India

Abstract

Historic urban landscapes are bio-physical imprints of past generation’s activities as well as a matrix for those of current and future generations. Pressures of economic development, while benefitting modernization, have led to loss of traditional practices in cultural landscapes, which reflected customs, values and belief systems of communities. This article explores alternative ways of seeing historic cities particularly with respect to the historic urban landscape paradigm. Chamba town, Himachal Pradesh, a pilgrim centre, market town and historic capital of the Chamba region, recently celebrated the millennium of its establishment. This historic town has distinctive location and is characterized by exceptional cultural and natural resources, landforms, bio-diversity and intangible cultural heritage. With a current population of 25,000, it is growing as a major town centre and pushing the boundaries of town limits and residential areas. Unregulated new development which is not designed for earthquake resistance, absence of delineation of ecologically sensitive zones, marginalization of traditional knowledge and aspirations of the primary custodians have resulted in fragile state of being, both naturally and culturally, and have altered the traditional regime of this historic town. This article examines the fragile relation between humans, nature and culture of Chamba and need for sustainable planning and management system for heritage resources within mountainous regions, with responsiveness to constraints and challenges. The authors reflect upon economic shifts, cultural transformations and infrastructure development, which adapt traditional knowledge designs to address urban needs for historic urban landscapes.