Aesthetically designed masterpieces of the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh have moved a step closer to be on the list of UNESCO’s world heritage site.
Vying to attain the coveted UNESCO heritage status for Capital Complex, the UT Administration has submitted the statement of outstanding universal value alongwith other documents, a part of Chandigarh’s dossier to Fondation le Corbusier in Paris.
Based on current guidelines of UNESCO, a proposed site must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one of 10 criteria to be included on the list of world heritage sites. Every year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to identify and ensure preservation of sites around the world that have outstanding cultural and natural value for current and future generations to come.
This time, Chandigarh would be a part of transnational nomination of French Architect le Corbusier’s works for UNESCO heritage status. le Corbusier’s works in Chandigarh along with his other works in countries namely France, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Argentina would be included in the proposed trans-border serial nomination for UNESCO heritage status for the year 2015.
The buildings in Capitol Complex here designed by le Corbusier are the part of transnational nominations. And, Fondation le Corbusier in Paris is assisting the UT Administration to prepare its dossier. A meeting to discuss the dossier was convened by Fondation le Corbusier at Paris last Friday which was attended by UT Home Secretary Anil Kumar. At the meeting, the Fondation le Corbusier approved the documents, a part of dossier prepared by Administration and issued necessary directions for preparation of rest of the dossier.
While talking to The Pioneer, KK Sharma, Adviser to the UT Administrator said, “Few sections of the dossier prepared by the Administration have been submitted to the Fondation le Corbusier.”
Elaborating about this, UT Home Secretary Anil Kumar said, “The Administration is following the deadlines issued by the Fondation for submitting various documents related to the dossier. last week, chapters/sections including definition of heritage, its outstanding universal value among others have been submitted and later on, drawings and other documents, which are the part of dossier would be submitted to the Fondation.”
UT Chief Architect Sumit Kaur said, “Based on the guidelines of UNESCO, the Administration is preparing the dossier and submitting it section wise to Fondation le Corbusier for approval. So far, statement of outstanding universal value alongwith other sections was vetted by World Heritage Advisory Committee, India and Archaeology Survey of India and then submitted to Fondation le Corbusier. Now, we are working on other parts of the guidelines including protection and management of these buildings and others.”
“As per UNESCO guidelines, outstanding universal value means cultural or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. As such, the permanent protection of this heritage is of the highest importance to the international community as a whole.”
A team of Chandigarh College of Architecture has been entrusted with the task to prepare a fresh dossier for Chandigarh elaborating about the unique architectural landmarks in Capitol Complex, Sector 1 here. The College experts have been working in coordination with the Fondation le Corbusier.
The deadline to send the dossier for transnational nomination for UNESCO heritage status for 2015 ends in September this year. The UNESCO world heritage status is likely to bring acknowledgement, funds, status, conservation effort and tourists to Chandigarh. Notably, the UT Administration has been pushing the city’s case for UNESCO heritage status since 2006. In 2006-07, Chandigarh featured on a tentative list drawn up by UNESCO.
Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex besides being the administrative hub of two states namely Punjab and Haryana includes eye-catching and esthetic Open hand monument, High Court museum, tower of shadows and several other significant buildings. The Complex has been placed under Grade I of heritage status by Administration in an attempt to preserve these heritage structures. Earlier in the year 2008, the UT Tourism Department had taken the initiative to seek UNESCO status of world modern heritage city for the City Beautiful.