UNESCO has conferred two major awards for the conservation efforts at Nizamuddin Basti being undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi Urban Heritage Foundation and the Dargah Committee/ Resident community groups of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti. Besides getting the Award of Excellence, the project also garnered a Special Recognition for Sustainable Development.
Nine projects from six countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand – were conferred with the 2021 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. There were 39 entries from 12 countries across the Asia-Pacific.
The only award winning entry from India, the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative demonstrates outstanding achievement in placing heritage at the heart of the sustainable development agenda. The fames pilgrimage hub embodies the exemplary approach of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in leveraging cultural assets for the socio-economic benefit of the historic Nizamuddin Basti community in New Delhi. Through an innovative People-Public-Private Partnership model, the project overcame major socio-economic challenges and improved health, education and well-being, particularly for women and youth. It is notable that the development initiatives preceded the conservation efforts, which encompassed the meticulous restoration of over 20 historic monuments clustered around the 14th-century mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. From conserving monuments to reviving local crafts, improving the urban environment and creating new jobs, the project has brought about the revitalization of the living historic urban landscape in its truest sense.
The Jury applauded the Nizamuddin Basti project for its “outstanding achievement in placing heritage at the heart of the sustainable development agenda” and noted that “through an innovative People-Public-Private Partnership model, the project overcame major socio-economic challenges and improved health, education and well-being, particularly for women and youth”. The Jury commented, “It is notable that the development initiatives preceded the conservation efforts, which encompassed the meticulous restoration of historic monuments clustered around the 14th-century mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.”
The other winners are Kesennuma Historic Citiscape (Miyagi, Japan), Jingdezhen Pengjia Alley Compound (Jiangxi, China), Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque (Dhaka, Bangladesh), Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple (Penang, Malaysia), Baan Khun Phithak Raya (Pattani, Thailand), Shajing Ancient Fair (Shenzhen, China), Songyang Culture Neighborhood (Zhejiang, China), Mrigadayavan Palace Woodshop (Phetchaburi, Thailand).
Baan Khun Phithak Raya & Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque
Jingdezhen Pengjia Alley Compound & Kesennuma Historic Citiscape
Mrigadayavan Palace Woodshop & Shajing Ancient Fair
Songyang Culture Neighborhood & Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple
