Conservation, the search for an interpretive method

Abstract

Many historic zones within old cities of developing countries like India are vulnerable to pressures of growth and modernization. While the process of modernization brings in the economic resource to improve the environment, the negligence of chaotic growth tends to erase the genius loci of the historic fabric. The current endeavors of conservation agencies are to preserve and 'restore the 'authentic' historic nature of the fabric, by means which call for large amounts of funding from the government or private foundations. This funding is difficult to sustain permanently and the idea of restoring authenticity often contradicts the ideals of growth and progress. This thesis is an endeavor to establish an interpretive strategy for the conservation of the historic fabric, while respecting the notion of modernization and need for growth. lt argues that to conserve the historic fabric, a more holistic attitude is required at the theoretical level, as well as at the physical level. At the . ' theoretical level, the attitude embraces the ideas of physical and environmental memory, and the notion of growth and identity for the inhabitants. At the physical level, the thesis views the fabric as an organism and examines its relationship with other such organisms on the four scales of territory, district, block and house. The historic fabric under scrutiny is Fontainhas, the 'conservation zone' in Panjim, the capital of Goa. The thesis begins by explaining the theoretical evolution of the prinCiples of analysis and development for the fabric of Fontainhas. The fabric is then comprehended by observing and analyzing it with these principles, on the four scales of territory, district, block and house. Finally, an intervention is proposed through principles formulated by the distillation of these analyses. The salient features of the intervention are: ** the coherence of the fabric with the rest of the city, the fabric playing an active role (taking a role in the economic growth, than remaining a frozen timepiece in history); ** the continuity of the old order is re-established but within the modem context; ** development within the fabric of opportunities for economic growth; ** green areas are maximised.