British firm to assist PMC in restoring old buildings in Pune and earning more revenue

In a bid to boost heritage tourism, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has joined hands with the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU), a British organistaion dedicated to maintaining traditional buildings, architecture and places.

Pune's heritage tourism earns approximately Rs 25 crore annually and the PMC and INTBAU aim to increase the figure fourfold.

Detailed workshop
Dipendra Prasad, secretary, India Chapter, INTBAU, told MiD DAY, "Our architecture and urban design workshops have given us an insight in traditional architecture, urbanism and building crafts.u00a0 We intend to maintain and restore the heritage buildings in Pune."

He added, "We are planning to organise a detailed workshop in Pune. We will focus mainly on the old city, which has the maximum number of heritage buildings. This will help us chart out a long-term plan to make Pune an attractive place for Heritage Tourism. We are also in talks for a public-private partnership with the state government, which will be beneficial to the stockholders, PMC and other heritage-related bodies in Pune.

Besides, renowned experts, architects, local industries, traders, businessmen and community leaders and politicians will be involved in the restoration of old buildings."

Shyam Dhavale, chief of PMC's heritage cell, has welcomed the initiative. "We can generate employment in large numbers," explained Dhavale. Kiran Kalamdani, noted conservation architect and partner, Kimaya, an NGO, said, "INTBAU's involvement will help the PMC frame a comprehensive plan." Kalamdani, who had designed the restoration plan for the historic Shaniwar Wada for PMC, said the municipal body is also applying for a sanction of Rs 180 crore from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renual Mission.