Amidst allegations that the Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Panjim has ignored heritage zones, the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) Goa Chapter has suggested that the heritage identity of the capital city should not be dissolved in the name of urbanisation and has called for strengthening of the dilapidated structures. The heritage protection activists, on the other hand, demand that Panjim should be declared as a Heritage Site to prevent haphazard development.
“Identity of Panjim city is that of a heritage area. EDC Plaza does not give identity to the city. The stretch from the Church Square to Azad Maidan or up to Campal has given us identity. People don’t want to see Navi Mumbai or Hyderabad, they want the heritage side of a particular place which the capital city is already awarded with,” said IIA Goa Chapter Chief Mangesh Prabhugaonkar.
The IIA clarified that while it is not against the development provided the conservation zones are protected and maintained. Prabhugaonkar stated that “instead of completely denying development in the name of urbanisation, the conservation policy should be relooked at to suggest any required changes.
“We need to conserve the heritage because it is a part of planning technique. Identifying residential fabric that needs to be conserved is very important. Similarly, identifying pockets require a relook through mechanism of reorganisation and realignment and renewal like area development through Town Planning schemes. This is pertinent to note since there is a huge stock of dilapidated and unplanned areas in the urban domain that we have inherited,” he commented.
The IIA, however, is not in favour of vertical growth in the conservation area. “Holistic approach is important… On one side you have conservation policy that prohibits change of unchanged areas, and on the other side you are ignoring the crucial conservation part by carrying the development in the name of urbanization,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Goa Heritage Action Group has objected to the draft ODP for overlooking heritage. The group led by historian Prajal Sakhardande alleged that heritage has taken a backseat in the draft plan to suit the real estate lobbies. “The heritage character of the city is not taken seriously as the concerned authorities are trying to please builders. The St Inez-Campal Heritage Creek needs to find a place in the ODP as a natural heritage site. Haphazard lines are being drawn. Twists and turns are giving rise to suspicion as builders’ lobby has grown powerful in the last 10 years,” he stated.
Activist Sabina Martins echoed his view as she objected to changes in conservation line without taking anyone into confidence. “Even a minor change requires consultation, which is not done in the present case,” she said.
