EVALUATING THE ARCHITECTURAL VALUE IN THE PROHIBITED AND REGULATED AREAS

Abstract

The Nizamuddin Basti Group of Monuments in New Delhi is a collection of historic buildings and tombs that are significant to the region’s cultural heritage. However, the surrounding area has faced several urban challenges, including encroachment, vast population, and inadequate infrastructure, which have detrimentally impacted the monuments' condition and architectural value. The absence of Islamic architectural elements in the buildings within the prohibited areas has caused disassociation with the monuments, diminishing their cultural value. Understanding heritage byelaws of different countries in order to gain insight into their policies for maintaining and conserving buffer zones around heritage monuments. The focus is on understanding how these policies are designed to reduce adverse impacts on cultural heritage sites. By analyzing a variety of approaches and strategies employed by different countries, this study seeks to identify best practices and inform the development of effective heritage conservation policies worldwide The study evaluates the architectural value of the Nizamuddin Basti Group of Monuments in New Delhi, focusing on the prohibited and regulated areas. Using an intensive site picture analysis, the study examines various aspects of the buildings, including their usage, facade color, and condition. Additionally, the study investigates the presence of Islamic architectural elements in the buildings, highlighting their significance to the area’s cultural heritage. The evaluation utilizes a rating scale ranging from 0 to 5, where higher scores indicate greater value. The results of the evaluation will be classified into four categories: least value, low value, moderate value, and high value. These categories will help identify the architectural elements within the prohibited precincts that contribute significantly to the overall value of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti. By assessing these parameters, this study intends to provide valuable insights for preservation and conservation efforts in order to maintain the architectural value of this historically and culturally significant site.