Revitalizing Urban Core as a Strategy for Urban Regeneration : Re-development of Walled City, Amritsar

Abstract

Marking the origin and  forming first layer of any  urban settlement, urban cores/walled cities, remain different  distinct and unique. Defining, history, culture and social fabric of the local communities, walled cities are invariably revered and  valued. Showcasing the valuable heritage and housing iconic religious and cultural institutions, core areas/walled cities are considered as heart and soul of any settlement. Despite housing large population in a small area and making large contribution to economy and employment, core areas/walled cities, are reeling under enormous stress and strain, generated by rapid urbanization,uncontrolled  physical growth /expansion and  induction of large number of vehicles  in the  core city. In the process majority of core areas/walled cities are facing  slow damage and destruction of  core values, built  heritage and existing culture. Lack of  appropriate mechanism of growth and development, absence of any policy framework besides lack of capacity, capability, expertise, resources, skill and manpower available with the agencies involved with planning, development and management at the local level,  are causing enormous damage to the history, culture and social fabric of the local communities. Looking at the role,relevance and importance of the core areas/walled cities, paper tries to identify critical issue which are responsible for the damage and destruction of the valuable history, culture and the  heritage in these areas and  make suggestions for its rational development. Tracing the  history of the origin and growth of the Walled city of Amritsar, paper tries to  identify the developmental challenges faced by the city, identify reasons for such challenges and suggest a framework/ options, which can be  leveraged for making walled city of Amritsar, economically efficient, socially/culturally  vibrant,physically livable  and environmentally sustainable  besides  becoming a repository of  valuable history and  heritage.