Social Inclusion for Urban Revitalisation in India: Linking Heritage Conservation and Community Development

Many Indian cities experience extremes of wealth and poverty. Despite an impressive annual economic growth rate of over 7%, a large part of the country’s population continues to exist in conditions of depravity, many of whom constitute the urban poor. A vital labour pool for the economic survival of any city, the urban poor are often excluded and marginalised as stakeholders in a city. A socially conscious urban revitalisation strategy demands that the relationship between livelihoods and place of residence be adequately recognised. This session explores how built heritage conservation in historic districts can act as an enabling tool for social inclusion and development of vibrant communities.

Confirmed Speakers

• Abha Lamba, Conservation Architect
• Arbind Singh, Founder, Nidan & Co-ordinator, National Association of Street Vendors of India
• Faith Singh, Founder, Jaipur Virasat Foundation
• Rahul Srivastava, Founding Partner, URBZ – User Generated Cities
• Brigitte Colin, UNESCO