Bhagwan Mahavir College

of
Design & Planning
Subject : Heritage Conservation

BY

Er. Rachita Desai

Er. Tejas Patel
(Enrolment no.)

Semester- 2

Faculty Guide

Ar. Jinal Boricha

Assistant Professor

Academic 2024-2025 1
INDEX

1. Introduction to Heritage 6. Stakeholder Comparison Table

Conservation
 Comparative Analysis: Rani Ki Vav
2. Overview of Selected Heritage vs. Angkor Wat
Sites
 Rani Ki Vav, India 7. Key Challenges
 Angkor Wat, Cambodia  Site-specific Threats
 Urban Encroachment, Tourism
3. Methodology and Scope Pressure, Climate Impact

4. Rani Ki Vav – India 8. Urban Planning & Heritage

 Historical Overview  Conservation
 Legal and Institutional Framework  Tools and Strategies
 Identification & UNESCO Listing  Role of Urban Planners
 Conservation Efforts
 Tourism and Community Engagement 9. Recommendations
 Stakeholder Roles  Capacity Building
 Policy Enhancement
5. Angkor Wat – Cambodia  Sustainable Tourism and
 Historical Overview Collaboration
 Legal and Institutional Framework
 Identification & UNESCO Listing 10. Conclusion
 Conservation and Restoration
Techniques 11. References / Citations 2
 Role of International Collaborations
Introduction to Heritage
Conservation
Definition and Scope of Heritage Conservation
• Heritage conservation refers to the systematic protection, preservation, and
promotion of both tangible (monuments, buildings, artifacts) and intangible
(traditions, languages, rituals) cultural heritage.
• It aims to maintain the historical, aesthetic, and cultural significance of
heritage assets for current and future generations.
• The discipline spans multiple fields including architecture, archaeology,
urban planning, environmental science, and anthropology.

Importance in Urban and Cultural Planning

• Conservation practices contribute to urban identity, fostering a sense of
place and continuity amidst modernization.
• Integrating heritage into urban development enhances sustainability,
supports cultural tourism, and boosts local economies.
• It also promotes inclusive planning, where the preservation of heritage
aligns with community needs and environmental stewardship.

Beyond Monuments: A Holistic Perspective

• Modern conservation is not limited to grand structures—it embraces
vernacular architecture, landscapes, oral traditions, and community rituals.
• It encourages community participation, making local stakeholders active
custodians of their cultural legacy.
• A holistic approach ensures that conservation efforts are adaptive, resilient,
and sensitive to social, economic, and ecological contexts.
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Overview of
Selected Heritage
Sites

• Rani Ki Vav (India): 11th-century

stepwell in Gujarat, an architectural
and water management marvel,
UNESCO-listed in 2014.

• Angkor Wat (Cambodia): 12th-

century temple complex, world’s
largest religious monument, UNESCO-
listed in 1992.

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 Methodology and
Scope

Comparative analysis based on:

• Legal and institutional frameworks

• Identification and listing processes
• Conservation policies and strategies
• Stakeholder involvement
• Challenges and future directions

Sources include government reports, UNESCO documentation, academic literature, and conservation agency
data. 5
Rani Ki Vav –
A Glimpse (India)

• Built by Queen Udayamati

(11th century) in memory
of King Bhima I.
• Located in Patan, Gujarat
—exemplifies Maru-
Gurjara architecture.
• Stepwell is 64m long, 27m
deep, with 7 tiers and
1,500+ sculptures.
• Symbolizes integration of
water engineering, religious
symbolism, and gendered
patronage.

Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat, India

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 Legal &
Institutional
Framework
•India
Governed by AMASR Act
(1958), with protected
monument zoning.

• Institutions: ASI, INTACH, State

Archaeology Departments,
Gujarat Tourism.

• National Policy on Monuments

and HRIDAY scheme aim to
integrate heritage in urban
development.

• Focus on protection,
documentation, and public
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accessibility.
 • Declared a Monument of National
Identification Importance by ASI.
• Inscribed by UNESCO in 2014 under criteria
(i) and (iv).

& Listing of • Supported by detailed documentation,

photogrammetry, and stakeholder
Rani Ki Vav consultation.
• Highlights water architecture, spiritual
themes, and architectural ingenuity.

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Conservation Efforts- Rani Ki
Vav
Restoration and Structural Stabilization by ASI
• Led by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) using traditional
techniques and heritage-compatible materials like lime mortar and
sandstone.
• Restoration included desilting the stepwell, structural repairs, and
chemical cleaning of over 1,500 intricately carved sculptures.
• Emphasis on authenticity and architectural fidelity, preserving the
original Maru-Gurjara style.

Monitoring and Preventive Conservation

• Periodic condition mapping conducted to assess weathering, biological
growth, and groundwater impacts.
• Preventive measures implemented to ensure long-term structural
stability and minimize erosion or decay.
• Site-specific conservation plans are adjusted based on environmental
and material assessments.

Tourism Integration and Community Engagement

• Integrated into Gujarat’s heritage tourism circuit, with improved visitor
infrastructure (pathways, signage, interpretation centers).Visitor
management systems in place to control footfall and reduce physical
stress on the site.
• Local artisans, tour guides, and cultural experts are involved in
awareness, documentation, and educational outreach, promoting
community-based conservation.
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 Stakeholders – Rani Ki
Government Bodies
Vav
• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Leads conservation, structural restoration, and site management.
• Gujarat Tourism Department: Integrates heritage with tourism development, infrastructure, and promotion.
• Ministry of Culture: Provides funding, policy direction, and supports heritage awareness programs.

Non-Governmental & Academic Stakeholders

• INTACH: Supports documentation, research, traditional material use, and local training initiatives.
• Academic Institutions & Researchers: Conduct heritage studies, conservation assessments, and promote cultural
understanding.

Local Community Participants

• Artisans and Craftspeople: Contribute traditional knowledge in restoration techniques.
• Heritage Tour Guides: Act as interpreters of cultural value and promote heritage education.
• Community Members: Engage in safeguarding heritage through awareness, cultural events, and advocacy.

Collective Roles
• Stakeholders collaborate in documentation, preservation, capacity building, and tourism facilitation, forming a holistic
ecosystem for sustainable heritage conservation.

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Angkor Wat –
A Glimpse
(Cambodia)
• Commissioned by
King Suryavarman II
(12th century).
• Originally a Hindu
temple, later
became a major
Buddhist site.
• Encompasses over
162 hectares with
axial planning,
moat, towers
representing Mt.
Meru.
• Central to
Cambodian identity
and post-conflict
cultural revival.

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 Legal &
Institutional
Framework
•Cambodia
Cultural Heritage Law (1996)
and zoning sub-decrees manage
heritage.

• APSARA Authority: oversight

of Angkor region, zoning,
tourism.

• ICC-Angkor ensures
international coordination with
UNESCO, donors.

• Emphasis on integrating
conservation with development
and community welfare.
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 • Rediscovered and documented by EFEO in
Identification 19th century.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992
& Listing of under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv).
• Over 1,000 monuments mapped using GIS
Angkor Wat and international archaeological teams.
• Major post-conflict preservation effort with
global support.

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Conservation Efforts Angkor
Wat
Integrated Site Management and Planning (APSARA Authority)
• The APSARA Authority (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor
and the Region of Siem Reap) was established in 1995 to oversee the protection,
conservation, and sustainable development of the Angkor region.
• The Site Management Plan integrates conservation with urban planning, land-use
regulation, and tourism control to balance heritage protection with local economic
growth.
• It includes buffer zones and zoning sub-decrees that restrict construction and regulate
activities around the temple complex, preventing encroachment and unplanned urban
sprawl.

International Restoration Collaborations and Funding

• Conservation at Angkor Wat is a multi-national effort, with significant funding and
technical assistance from countries like France (EFEO), Japan (JSA), India (ASI), Germany,
and China.
• Key restoration projects have involved structural stabilization, stone replacement, and
temple façade restoration, often led by specialized archaeological teams from these
nations.
• The International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the
Historic Site of Angkor (ICC-Angkor), co-chaired by France and Japan, ensures that all
international efforts are coordinated and compliant with UNESCO guidelines.

Use of Advanced Technologies and Scientific Techniques

• Cutting-edge methods are employed to ensure precise, minimally invasive conservation,
including:3D laser scanning and digital modeling for structural analysis and
documentation.
• Anastylosis, a technique that reconstructs fallen or displaced structures using original
architectural elements.
• Hydrological monitoring systems to study the impact of groundwater levels and seasonal
flooding on temple foundations. 14
 Stakeholders – Angkor
National Stakeholders
Wat
• APSARA Authority: Central body managing conservation, urban planning, tourism regulation, and heritage education in
the Angkor region.
• Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts: Oversees policy direction, cultural heritage protection laws, and
coordination with international bodies.
• Local Government of Siem Reap Province: Supports local development aligned with heritage conservation goals.

International Stakeholders
• UNESCO: Facilitated Angkor’s World Heritage inscription; provides guidelines, technical support, and oversight.
• ICC-Angkor (International Coordinating Committee): Co-chaired by France and Japan, coordinates over 30
international teams working on conservation.
• Donor Countries & Agencies: France, Japan, India, China, and others contribute funding, research, and technical
expertise.

Local Community Participants

• Monks and Temple Caretakers: Play a spiritual and custodial role in safeguarding temple sanctity and rituals.
• Artisans and Craftspeople: Participate in traditional restoration, stone carving, and conservation training.
• Villagers & Tourism Providers: Benefit from and contribute to conservation-linked livelihoods such as homestays,
guiding, and handicrafts.

Collaborative Roles & Emphasis

• All stakeholders engage in participatory planning, capacity building, and sustainable tourism, promoting both heritage
preservation and local socio-economic development.

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Policy
Comparison

Rani Ki Vav, India

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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 Stakeholder
Comparison
Angor Wat, Cambodia
& Rani Ki Vav, India

17
Key
Challenges
Angkor Wat Rani Ki Vav

• Tourism pressure and visitor

• Climate change and flooding
management
• Illegal development in buffer zones • Urban encroachment risk
• Structural degradation due to aging • Limited public engagement
and water table shifts

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Urban Planning &
Heritage
Conservation
• Integration into master plans
and regional planning.
• Creation of heritage zones,
cultural districts.
• Adaptive reuse of heritage
buildings.
• Smart tools: GIS mapping,
digital inventories, 3D
modeling.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration:
planners, architects, historians.

Recommendations
• Capacity building for local stakeholders.
• Enhance community engagement in
conservation decisions.
• Promote sustainable tourism policies.
• Encourage public-private partnerships
for funding and innovation.
• Foster academic and international
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collaborations.
Conclusion
• Rani Ki Vav and Angkor Wat embody unique
yet converging conservation narratives.

• Heritage conservation must be rooted in local

context and supported by global cooperation.

• Urban planners are vital in mediating

development and preservation.

• A future-ready conservation model integrates

technology, community, and policy.

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References /
Citations

• UNESCO World Heritage Centre

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
• APSARA Authority Reports
• INTACH Publications
• ICC-Angkor Documentation
• National Heritage Policies
• Academic Journals on Heritage Conservation
• EFEO Archives

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THANK YOU!

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