In a significant address to architects and planners in Patna, a leading international expert highlighted the critical challenge facing India's rapidly transforming cities: how to develop without erasing their unique character. Ettore Maria Mazzola, a renowned architect and professor at Rome-based Notre Dame University, delivered a compelling lecture on Friday, stressing that urban regeneration has become a key global strategy but often at a great cost.
The Double-Edged Sword of Urban Renewal
Speaking at an event organized by the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Bihar branch, Mazzola pointed out that while urban regeneration is essential to revive declining areas pressured by globalization, population growth, and technology, it frequently leads to negative outcomes. He identified a troubling pattern where renewal projects result in the loss of regional identity, cultural homogenization, and the destruction of historic urban fabric. The very soul of a city, he argued, is often sacrificed in the name of progress.
Urban Conservation as the Guiding Framework
Mazzola presented urban conservation as the vital solution to this dilemma. He explained that this approach offers a structured framework to reconcile necessary development with the preservation of identity. The core principle is ensuring that any regeneration effort respects local culture, heritage, morphology, and social memory. "Effective regeneration requires a holistic vision that integrates physical, social, economic and environmental dimensions," Mazzola stated, emphasizing the need for coordination among government agencies, the private sector, and civil society.
He made a crucial point for the Indian context: planning must be context-specific. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as each Indian city possesses a unique character that demands a uniquely tailored intervention. While modern infrastructure like water supply, sanitation, and transport is indispensable, its integration must be sensitive. Mazzola warned that clumsy implementation can destroy an area's original charm and essence. He advocated for the incorporation of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure to bolster environmental sustainability wherever possible.
A Gathering of Minds for Bihar's Future
The expert lecture, titled 'Achieving urban regeneration while maintaining regional identity through urban conservation', attracted a large and engaged audience. The event saw participation from architects, planners, academicians, professionals, and students involved in urban renewal projects. Architect C S Sinha graced the occasion as the chief guest, while the state government’s chief architect, Anil Kumar, was the guest of honour.
A special moment of the function was the felicitation of the newly appointed assistant architects of the state government, who were selected through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). This gesture underscored the event's focus on building capacity for thoughtful urban development in the state. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by IIA’s state president, Abhishek Sharma.
The lecture served as a timely reminder for Bihar and India at large: the path to modern, functional cities does not require bulldozing the past. Instead, the future lies in weaving new threads of development carefully into the rich and enduring tapestry of local history and culture.
