The initiative is a project of the Aga Khan Development Network

"The Trust’s support to historic communities demonstrates how conservation and revitalization of the cultural heritage - in many cases the only asset at the disposal of the community - can provide a springboard for social development. We have also seen how such projects can have a positive impact well beyond conservation, promoting good governance, the growth of civil society, a rise in incomes and economic opportunities, greater respect for human rights and better stewardship of the environment."

- His Highness the Aga Khan

Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative: Rethinking Conservation

Since 2007, Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative has worked towards adopting a craft based approach towards conservation, employing hundreds of craftsmen using traditional tools, materials and building techniques to revive the intention of the original builders.

The project has coupled conservation with socio-economic initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for resident communities through simultaneous action in socio-economic development. Furthermore, upgrading available urban infrastructure, landscaping open parks, major street improvement, housing improvement, building community toilets coupled with heritage and environmental awareness programmes to help meeting project objectives and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
An urban conservation approach adopted by the project in keeping with Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme initiatives worldwide has led to landscaping over a 100 acres abutting the world heritage site as well as restoring over 30 Mughal era monuments that stand within the project area.

The project thus serves as a model for Culture based development of India’s historic city centers.

Our Goal

The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme projects promote the conservation and re-use of buildings and public spaces in historic cities in ways that can spur social, economic and cultural development. Conservation works being undertaken on the monuments in this area are in adherence with the established Indian and international conservation philosophy and principles. While conservation works aim to recover the architectural integrity of the monuments, authenticity of design, form and material is stringently maintained.

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Conservation Philosophy

The Humayun’s Tomb-Nizamuddin area is the densest ensemble of medieval Islamic buildings in India, inhabited by a vibrant local community with 700 years of living culture. The area is being visited by millions of tourists and pilgrims each year.

Conservation works being undertaken on the monuments in this area have been in adherence with the established Indian and international conservation philosophy and principles. While conservation works aim to recover the architectural integrity of the monuments, authenticity of design, form and material is stringently maintained.

All conservation work is preceded by archival research, high definition surveys, structural assessments and peer review.

The project also aims to revive a craft based approach to conservation, set up a model conservation process and standards for documentation.

Conservation of Nizamuddin Area

Located in the heart of New Delhi, the Nizamuddin Conservation Area comprises the World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb and its surrounding areas of Sunder Nursery, Batashewala Complex and Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti. The Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative has since its inception in 2007 worked towards adopting a craft based approach towards conservation, employing hundreds of craftsmen using traditional tools, materials and building techniques to revive the intention of the original builders.

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    acres of built and living heritage in the heart of Delhi
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    Mughal gardens revitalized
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    Monuments Conserved
Our Projects

The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme projects promote the conservation and re-use of buildings and public spaces in historic cities in ways that can spur social, economic and cultural development. Conservation works being undertaken on the monuments in

this area are in adherence with the established Indian and international conservation philosophy and principles. While conservation works aim to recover the architectural integrity of the monuments, authenticity of design, form and material is stringently maintained.

All Projects 13th Century 14th Century 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century
    A People-Public Partnership with Archaeological Survey of India
    • Archaeological Survey of India
    • Aga Khan Trust for Culture

    The project has demonstrated a successful model of non-for-profit, people oriented public-private partnership for conservation. Unlike in the developed world where there is significant civil society engagement with conservation effort, conservation of national monuments has to date been restricted to the government agencies. The ongoing AKTC project is the first such initiative where monuments of national importance are being conserved by a private philanthropic group.

    This project is being undertaken in Public-Private Partnership between the ASI and AKTC as part of the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative, which pioneered a return to craft-based approach to conservation in India, thus ensuring revival of craft skills, creating almost half a million days of employment for craftsmanship and respecting the original builders’ intention.

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