Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad’s status as India’s first UNESCO-listed World Heritage City has come under renewed international scrutiny after the Ahmedabad World Heritage City was urged to strengthen planning and conservation safeguards for developments within its protected historic precincts. The observations were discussed during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, following a recent monitoring mission that reviewed the city’s heritage management framework.
The committee expressed concern that major infrastructure and redevelopment projects within the heritage zone had advanced without fully completing internationally recognised heritage assessment procedures before construction. It noted that such practices could affect the historic character and Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) that formed the basis for Ahmedabad’s World Heritage recognition. Among the projects reviewed were civic infrastructure and railway precinct redevelopment works located within or close to the city’s protected heritage areas. The committee observed that heritage impact assessments submitted during the planning process did not adequately evaluate the implications of completed developments, highlighting the need for stronger oversight throughout the project lifecycle. Urban conservation experts say the findings underscore the growing challenge of balancing infrastructure modernisation with the preservation of historic urban landscapes. As cities expand and redevelop ageing districts, heritage-sensitive planning is increasingly viewed as essential for ensuring that economic growth does not erode architectural identity or cultural significance.
The committee also recommended reviewing development regulations governing the historic city, particularly provisions related to permissible building heights. Heritage specialists believe planning controls should account not only for road width and plot dimensions but also for visual integrity, streetscape character and the protection of culturally significant landmarks within the Ahmedabad World Heritage City. In addition to regulatory reforms, the committee encouraged authorities to implement mitigation measures around completed projects. Suggested interventions include expanding green landscaping, improving public spaces, strengthening pedestrian connectivity and enhancing interpretation facilities that help residents and visitors better understand the city’s historic fabric. Conservation measures for heritage structures associated with affected sites were also recommended.
Despite raising concerns, the committee acknowledged several ongoing conservation initiatives. These include continued documentation of traditional neighbourhoods through digital mapping, restoration work at historic monuments, proposals for adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and greater awareness of conservation principles during the planning of public infrastructure projects. Urban planners note that heritage conservation and sustainable development are increasingly interconnected. Well-preserved historic districts can strengthen tourism, support local economies and reinforce community identity while contributing to climate-resilient urban regeneration through the adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Authorities are now expected to update heritage conservation, management and tourism strategies while preparing a detailed conservation status report for submission to the World Heritage Centre. The process is likely to shape future planning decisions and reinforce Ahmedabad’s efforts to protect its historic legacy while accommodating the demands of a rapidly growing metropolitan city.
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Ahmedabad Heritage Review Calls For Stronger Safeguards
