Heritage and Sustainability – The Dual Pillars of Flourishing Communities in the Indian Context

Abstract

The research links two pillars of a quality community living, i.e. heritage and sustainability. The term ‘heritage’ refers to historical structures and vernacular typologies, which shaped the early settlement’s sustenance. Heritage, sustainability, climate, vernacular architecture and construction methods are the parameters on which the research is based. It shall be achieved by carefully researching the practices and methods that were utilised in ancient cultures and communities by cross-reviewing it with the present construction practices. The world is facing global challenges pertaining to deforestation and urban sprawl contributing together to climate concerns regarding rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, disturbed rainfall and seasonal durations and patterns. The paper showcases the varied materials and types of vernacular architectural styles of India that respond to it’s different climatic zones. It also highlights concrete which piles up as construction waste every year, due to its less lifespan of mostly 50-60 years, leads to it not being the best material as compared to local materials which cater to the seismic forces and longevity. Hence, for the community’s betterment, approaches and guidelines pertaining to local materials and valuing nature shall be studied and implemented. The paper will conclude by attempting to provide guidelines to include heritage and vernacular study in professional education and to strictly adhere to it in the construction industry, while advancing towards slow urbanism by learning from the past and retaining the tangible and intangible heritage for a sustainable future.

Keywords

• vernacular architecture
• local materials
• climate
• topography
• typology
• thermal comfort
• spatial organisation