To preserve the decades old architectural masterpieces in Capitol Complex, the UT Administration has planned to create a buffer zone around the Complex.
The plan of buffer zone is a significant part of Chandigarh’s nomination dossier prepared by the UT Administration to get the coveted status of UNESCO world heritage site.
The buffer extends all around the nominated property of Capitol Complex with an intention to protect, safeguard and enhance the OUV (outstanding universal value), integrity and setting of the site.
As per the nomination dossier prepared by the UT Administration, “the buffer on all sides of the nominated property has been delineated with a view to protect and ensure the sustenance of the core values of the nominated property. Towards the north of the nominated property, the buffer zone is up to the belt of mango groves existing and integrated in the planning to provide visual screening from the development taking place in the area under the state of Punjab. The southern buffer includes the low density residential Sectors 2-5 to showcase and protect the urban setting in the context in which Corbusier had envisioned the Capitol Complex.”
“The eastern buffer has been taken up to the edge of the Rajindra Park which is also the boundary of the Capitol Parc as it ensures the protection of the visual connection of the nominated property within the city. Towards the west the road along the Rock Garden defines the protected Sukhna lake Reserve forest area to ensure environmental protection to the site,” stated the nomination dossier.
While talking to The Pioneer, UT chief architect Kapil Setia said, “To preserve the nominated property, a conservation plan has been prepared. The plan is the significant part of nomination dossier.”
The number of inhabitants within the buffer zone is 2857, stated the dossier nomination adding that the buffer zone shall be sensitively and carefully handled to ensure the protection of the visual and spatial settling of the nominated property by ensuring that no high-rise/congruous development is allowed to pose a threat to the planned vistas, the serenity of the property and the backdrop of the mountains. It also emphasized that the development and management of buffer zone areas should be integrated with site planning and development to preserve spatial and visual setting of the site. Sumit Kaur, former UT chief architect, who played a key role in preparing city’s dossier informed, “The demarcation of buffer zone is a mandatory criteria to restrict unwanted constructions and complement conservation of the nominated property.”
She said, “All the development within the buffer zone will be regulated under the overall supervision of Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee”
Notably, the Capitol Complex, has been approved as a grade I heritage precinct by the Government of India on the recommendation of the Expert Heritage Committee constituted by it.
Chandigarh is a part of transnational nomination of French Architect le Corbusier’s works for UNESCO heritage status. Corbusier’s designed Capitol Complex in Chandigarh along with his other works in countries namely France, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Argentina is included in the proposed trans-border serial nomination for UNESCO heritage status for 2015. After approval of Union Ministry of Culture, Chandigarh’s nomination dossier was sent to Fondation le Corbusier in Paris in October.