CHETTINAD

L a n d o f f o r t s

Project brief for the region's protection & development

STATE OF URGENCY

January 2007

T A B L E

O F

C O N T E N T S

Chettinad, a unique and little known architectural heritage ............................................................................................................... Deserted palaces, prey to pillaging ............................................................................................................... A movement for bringing about a change ............................................................................................................... The development project proposed by ArcHe-S ............................................................................................................... P. 11 A museum of architectural heritage ............................................................................................................P. 13 First step : Creation of a Protection for Sector Protection Plan ............................................................................................................... P. 14 The Heritage House and the cultural centre ............................................................................................................... P. 17 The ecomuseum: the mainstay of the development project ............................................................................................................... P. 20 A centre for training and production of handicrafts and applied arts ............................................................................................................... P. 24 An international exchange centre, catalyst for similar projects ............................................................................................................... P. 25 Experimental tourism ............................................................................................................... P. 27 The initial work ............................................................................................................... P. 28 Supervision and evaluation of the development project ............................................................................................................... P. 29 P. 8 P. 7 P. 5

The palaces of Chettinad are being dismantled and destroyed one after another, and the sale of the architectural elements of these houses to Western countries has fuelled a lucrative antiques business.

Projects protecting zone, and first for Heritage

for the the House Heritage steps

Centre, are the t o w a r d s guaranteeing the future of this land with rich an past, end to an and the extraordinarily towards current putting process

of destruction.

Chettinad, a unique and little known architectural heritage.

Chettinad, the land of the Nakarattar Chettiars.

The tangible and intangible heritage of Chettinad is exceptional due to its: Territorial dimension Chettinad is a semi arid zone of 1,550 square kilometres in the heart of Tamil Nadu (South India). It is inhabited by 110,000 Chettiars who are spread over two cities and 73 villages. Since the time the community was founded, the Chettiars have upheld a vision of urban planning and development which makes this area unique. Historical dimension The Chettiars belong to a lineage of wealthy traders and financiers who made their fortunes by extending their business to the whole of Southeast Asia, particularly during the 19th century when they were at the peak of their economic power. Their recent history is closely linked to the sweeping changes that took place in the middle of the 20th century in this vast region. Urban and architectural dimension As a result of their travelling, the Chettiars integrated diverse influences into their traditions which contributed to their uniqueness. Their villages were unique settlements that were constructed as per precise and sophisticated rules of urban planning (orthogonal streets, specific water management, technical innovation, artistic creativity, etc.). These settlements are also directly linked to the Tamil traditions: rectangular plots, houses with an inner courtyard (with nearly 4 or 5 courtyards). 5

Location : South India

state of Tamil Nadu Chennai (Madras): International airport : 400 km Tiruchirapalli: International airport, 80 km, railway station Madurai: National airport, 80 km railway station Main town of Chettinad: Karaikudi, railway station Epicentre: Kanadukathan Coordinates: 1010'N, 7846'E

The economic pressure and land speculation in the big cities of Tamil Nadu have eliminated almost all the traditional houses. Chettinad is the only remaining site which bears testimony to Tamil architecture and urban planning. The houses, which evolved over two centuries, are veritable palaces. Constructed on mounds, the verandas, the reception halls and court rooms are situated along the length of a longitudinal axis. This organisation mirrors the structure of the society and the rules of the community. On the ground floor, the architecture is typically Tamil, while one can see Western influences on the higher floors. This reflects the way of life of the Chettiars who knew how to combine their vibrant traditions with the global economy. In order to build these palaces, materials and expertise from all over the world were used, only adding to the cultural glory of Chettinad. This region went into decline about sixty years ago as a result of major economic difficulties following the independence of Burma (Myanmar) and Malaysia. This in turn led to the gradual disappearance of the urban and architectural heritage.

NORTH

WEST

EAST

SOUTH
Kanadukkathan : map of the village

Palaces that are increasingly deserted and prey to pillaging

What is the current situation in Chettinad?

POPULATION
3 main situations exist: 18 VILLAGES with less than 500 inhabitants 29 VILLAGES with 500 to 1,000 inhabitants 33 VILLAGES with 1,000 to 3,000 inhabitants 2 TOWNS with more than 10,000 inhabitants Karaikkodi & Devakotai TOTAL 110,000 Chettiars inhabitants distributed over 75 towns and villages 1 - Although the owners do not live in the family palaces on a permanent basis, they often have the means to maintain them. The palaces are used for large, important occasions or gatherings.

There is always someone in the house : either family members, old people or pregnant women or mothers with small children who come here to enjoy the serene atmosphere. In some cases, the external portions of the house are rented out, for example the porch at the entrance could be rented out to students. 2 - In contrast, a considerable number of houses have been completely demolished and only the mounds on which they were built remain. All that could have been recycled has been taken. The structure of the house has been destroyed. 3 - Finally there are endangered houses, whose number has yet to be determined. Their destruction seems almost inevitable various reasons: for

lack of financial means or joint ownership,

dismantling for purposes of sale, and damage to the structure. This could totally wipe out the living evidence of a way of life, of an extraordinary page in history. This is the category on which our work focuses. The dismantling of houses has led to a lucrative antiques business and many architectural elements ( pillars and doors, in paritcular) have been exported all over the world from Mumbai and Delhi. In 1947 there were 96 villages in Chettinad. Today there are only 75 What will remain of their unique heritage in ten years? Kochi, Chennai,

A movement for bringing about a change

Stopping the process of destruction and starting the process of developing the sites.
The authorities: The Government of Tamil Nadu will shortly be adopting UNESCO Asia's " heritage passport " programme in which Chettinad would be a pilot project. The District Collector, who is the local representative of the Government, supports the implementation of a plan for the preservation of Chettinad's heritage and is supportive of initiatives for developing cultural tourism. The inhabitants: We have already seen that to prevent the destruction of the houses, the owners who can no longer live in them have been renting them out partially. This presence is enough to prevent pillaging. Moreover, some Chettiars are of the opinion that the production of handicrafts can replace the current destructive practices. The inhabitants have really mobilised themselves to protect the architectural heritage and create an awareness, by means of numerous small initiatives, which together could have a significant impact. The initiative taken by a few families has led to high quality tourism, for example the Bangala, Heritage Hotel in Karaikudi.

The Foundations:
Muthiah Chettiar, Muthiah Chettiar. The Rajas of Chettinad have opened to the public their Kanatukkathan house, thus transforming it into a museum when the family is absent. M. RM. RM. Cultural Foundation The M. RM. RM. Cultural Foundation collects research material and documents on architecture, handicrafts and textiles of the Chettinad region. It actively encourages the survival and renewal of the local arts and crafts and helps it adapt to the evolution of the market. It supports artisans, particularly women who wish to enter the market. The M. RM. RM. Cultural Foundation is also planning an ethnographical museum. During her research, the founder Mrs V.Ramaswamy put together a collection of art objects and those used for rituals and in daily life. This collection could be the starting point of a reference collection that can be more fully exhibited in a building that has been restored for this purpose. Dakshinachitra Dakshinachitra, a foundation which is open to the public, is situated to the south of Chennai (Madras). Houses from South India - that is to say from Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu (particularly from Chettinad) have been reconstructed here. Remarkable work has been done for the conservation of traditional methods of construction. Ethnographical collections have also been presented. There is also a centre for documentation on architecture, local arts and crafts. Moreover, many cultural activities such as concerts and dance are organised. Artists supported by the association sell their work on site.

Historians and scientists :

Edgar Thurston
Castes and Tribes of Southern India Cosmo Publication, Volume 5 P. 139/171

David West Rudner

Caste and Capitalism in Colonial India, the Nattukottai Chettiars Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers David West Rudner, a renowned anthropologist, has written a university thesis in 1994, Nattukottai Chettiars, the cast of financiers.

Meenakshi Meyyapan, Visalakshi Ramaswamy and Mr. Muthiah

The Chettiar Heritage Published by "The Chettiar Heritage" This well documented work which serves as a reference as far as the Chettiar heritage is concerned was brought out in 1999 by three experts on Chettiar culture: Meenakshi Meyyapan, the Manager of the Heritage Hotel The Bangala, Visalakshi Ramaswamy, the founder of the Rm. Rm. Foundation and Mr. Muthiah, a journalist and publisher from Chennai. This work traces the history of the Nagarathars, the traditional name of the Chettiars. It is an exhaustive inventory of the way of life, traditions and rituals from the middle of the 19th century and gives a complete picture of the evolution of the arts and crafts and architecture of the Chettiars.

Robert Dulau, Heritage curator Maisons et Palais du sud de l'Inde Published by the Institut franais de Pondichry A book on the architecture of the Chettinad palace-houses. The photographs in the book are the work of Arno Gisinger, and were presented at Galerie 779 (Paris, France) in large format during a 2003 exhibition. and Habiter en Pays Tamul L'Arnathan T.M. Mukundan, Akash Ganga Trust, Chennai
The Erys Systems of South India

The institutions :
The Institut Franais de Pondichry (French Institute of Pondicherry) has supported Mr. Robert Dulau's thesis mentioned previously and has put together an exhibition on Chettinad, part of which is permanently displayed at the Institute. Mr. Jean-Pierre Muller, the Director of the IFP is keen on supporting a scientific project as an extension of this work. This non exhaustive list of initiatives for the protection of this unique heritage reveals the favourable context and the unanimity

on which this development project is based. It is an ambitious, well-coordinated project, conceived in a spirit of cooperation. We hope this initiative will result in international recognition of this site. 10

Our project will be executed in two phases:

During the first phase we will put into place the tools for developing and protecting the site. This will mainly involve the creation of a Heritage House and a Heritage Centre, equipped with a multi disciplinary team which will be entrusted with the task of studying and promoting the site and drawing up a plan of the protected site. This will be housed in a restored palace. During the second period, a larger development project will be implemented. This will involve mainly the creation of an ecomuseum for the conservation and exhibition of collections that serve as a reference and a centre for training and producing handicrafts and for applied arts, an international exchange centre with the purpose of finding synergies between creativity and the conservation of heritage, and of developing cultural tourism.

The development project of the Association ArcHe-S

Combining economic vitality, creation and the protection of heritage.

The main aims of our association are to:

1 - Identify endangered sites that are unique for their architecture, urban planning, history or environment. 2 - Implement a well-coordinated protection and restoration programme, financed by international sponsors. 3 - Find economic activities that have a " symbiotic relationship " with the conservation of buildings and, ultimately, to create conditions leading to a virtuous cycle where creative activities enrich heritage and vice versa. 4 - Create an international study group for developing a specific economy that can be integrated into the fragile context of sites which have a great heritage value or which are of great natural beauty. Our development project in Chettinad takes into account the full size of the concerned territory, but given the urgency of the situation, we have initially targeted measures on a smaller geographical area and on a few buildings that are representative of the architecture of the region. We believe that these sites will serve as an example and will help to create a general awareness as well as attract the attention of the public authorities towards the tragic state of these priceless masterpieces. Our objective is to preserve the structures of heritage value as well as to revive the site by introducing activities that are useful to the community and compatible with the conservation of the heritage and which can ensure its maintenance in the long term. Moreover, thanks to the restoration work, we will help to perpetuate the extraordinary traditions that made it possible to construct these houses. 11

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A museum of architectural heritage

Living in the palaces in order to protect them

The houses will be selected as per the recommendations of a committee which will study the architectural and heritage value of the buildings with respect to the objectives of the programme. The committee's work will be based on the technical analysis carried out by the team for the Heritage House, assisted by architecture students, urban planning students, students of sociology and law. This analysis will include information concerning the availability, the legal status and the state of the structures of the proposed buildings. The " Chettinad Heritage Committee ", an Indian NGO formed by leading Chettiars at the initiative of the association ArcHeS, will take care of the property-related aspects of the development project. None of the concerned buildings will be acquiredLong-term leases will be signed. Restoration work will be carried out only if the house is totally or partially occupied. The advantage of this measure is that the local population will be involved in the programme and the investment will be more modest. The objective of the operation is to ensure the conservation and evolution of the houses over a long period of time, as per the recommendations of the Venice charter on restoration. Technical equipment will be upgraded and ecological solutions for water and waste treatment and electricity will be implemented. On average, the area covered by each building is between 1,100 and 2,000 square meters. We have estimated a budget of 45 euros per square meter, that is to say seventy thousand euros for restoration work ( 70,000 ) and seven thousand euros ( 7,000 ) for survey and study per building. The first phase of the project will be carried out on a palace house situated in Kanadukattan, not far from the palace of the Rajas. Refer to the annexe. 13

ArcHe-S has been

working in close collaboration with the local and international bodies involved and with the large international institutions such as UNESCO and the World Monuments Fund, and the Association Nationale des villes et pays d'art et d'histoire et secteurs sauvegards.(National association for artistic and historical towns and countries and protected sectors)

First step : Creation of a Protection for Sector Protection Plan

1 - Collection of data This phase will include : - formalising the general presentation of the Sivaganga district, its development projects and its expectations with regards to the sector to be protected in the Chettinad territory, - the gathering of historical knowledge (books, bibliography, iconography) ; - collecting all the necessary documentation for carrying out the survey : cartography, surveys undertaken by or for the Government departments (archeological map, dossiers of shelf lists, national data base, atlas of landscape), - seeking the help of Government institutions and departments that are likely to have the pertinent knowledge or information : cultural affairs, environment department, Water and forest ministry and inventory departments 2 - Identification, analysis and diagnosis of the heritage On this basis and on the basis of a survey of the territory, in close collaboration with the municipal authorities and an architect specialising in heritage conservation, a team of architects and urban planners will identify the heritage elements, constructed or otherwise, old or new, extraordinary or mediocre, homogenous or very different, that are necessary for understanding the evolution of the places. it will propose an analysis and a diagnosis concerning the heritage by adopting a planning approach, the ratio between the constructed areas and land, the urban structures and the architectural studies. This analysis will include the : a- landscape heritage : - the map of the landscape, the description and classification of the spaces ( structure, entities), - view on monuments and urban shape, - vegetation (gardens, hedges, alignment of trees, extraordinary trees), - other pertinent elements (rural heritage). 14

CURRENT STATUS
1/3rd of the houses have been destroyed. 5 to 10% of the houses are maintained and are occupied occasionally. The rest of the houses are endangered.

b urban heritage : - the evolution, the structure, the composition, the sequences, - public areas, - private areas, courtyards and gardens, - the height of the constructions and the awnings, - fences, - other pertinent elements. c architectural heritage : - buildings that have an extraordinary historical, archeological and architectural value, - buildings that make up the urban settlement and that are typical of the locality (typology,structure, exceptional architectural details, materials), - other pertinent elements. 3 - Proposition for future orientations Based on the analysis and the diagnosis and taking into account all the stakes, the work group will put forth proposals for orientations which will be presented to the local bodies and inhabitants (objectives to be met, defining the limits of the sector to be preserved in the Chettinad territory, broad overview of the rules). These proposals will take into account all the development plans for the entire sector. 4 - Drawing up and handing over the final documents The final documentation of the survey will include: a - a presentation report giving the reasons and the objectives for creating the protection site as well as the historical, geographical, urban , architectural and landscape features of Chettinad territory b - a draft of the rules made up of recommendations and prescriptions, c - a graphical document showing the boundaries of the zone.

March 2006

August 2006

December 2006

village of Kanadukkathan and the dismanteled houses in red

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The heritage house, the heritage centre : first phase of the development project.

Tools for shaping the future

Chettinad is at a crossroads: after a prolonged period of growth which resulted in many people acquiring huge fortunes, the region has fallen into a profound apathy. The wealthy inhabitants have settled in industrial areas and cities for occupational reasons. They have largely abandoned their homes and the economic activity that accompanied this luxurious way of life has been snuffed out. The marvellous heritage left by the previous generations has progressively been eroded, but it was built to last with solid materials. It is not only time that poses a threat to these beautiful houses but also the lucrative business around the export of columns, windows, ceilings and decorative elements. Houses and entire villages are rapidly vanishing, packed into containers headed for Western countries. However, there is an increasing awareness in the media about the future of Chettinad and it is attracting visitors who are keen to have an off the beaten track experience. It is time to prepare for the arrival of these enthusiasts, these people who are looking for hidden treasures and an authentic shared experience. It is not too late to take stock of the architectural, urban and ecological richness of Chettinad. This is what the first part of the project must accomplish. The Heritage House will receive an international and multidisciplinary team of architects, jurists and mediators whose role will be to build an awareness amongst the population and the local and federal authorities concerning the protection of the site. This will be a platform for exchanging information and taking joint initiatives. The team of experts will give technical and legal advice and will suggest solutions for adapting the houses to standards of modern comfort and to new activities in order to facilitate their maintenance. The Heritage House will also undertake an inventory of the constructed area and the water and drainage systems, as well as a qualitative study of the natural areas, houses, temples 17

and villages in order to define a comprehensive strategy for the conservation of the site (incentives, regulations): conservation plan, town development plan, tourism plans, legislative and legal suggestions. This will be subjected to the approval of the District Collectors, of the various Panchayats (village councils) and the inhabitants. The team will prepare the dossiers for classifying the site at different levels: national, federal and international. The Heritage House will also receive researchers and residential artists and will publicize their work and contribution through exhibitions and publications. It will propose and explore the feasibility of future development projects (science, education, tourism). To do this, a research centre, offices, a library and lodging facilities will be created. Refer to development plan. . The Visitor Centre will receive national and international visitors and will offer them many services (utilities, cafeteriarestaurant, handicraft shop, book shop, etc), practical and cultural information (site plan, conferences, shows, demonstrations of skills, workshops for adults and children, etc.) temporary exhibitions for two or three years (handicrafts, history, customs and way of life, natural and building heritage), and will conceive medium term projects (eco museum, Centre for training and production of handicrafts and applied art, centre for international exchanges).

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The society museum : mainstay of the second phase of the development project.

Preserving and displaying a collection that serves as a reference.

In the second phase of the project, the collection of art objects and ethnographical objects will be enriched. This collection will be displayed for the public, particularly for tourists and students in educational exhibitions tracing the history, traditions and specific urban planning techniques within the larger context of South India and Southeast Asia, since Chettinad's history is closely linked to the major geopolitical changes in this part of the globe. As we have already mentioned, this museum project is already supported by the " RM. RM. Cultural Foundation ". An initial collection already exists and a preliminary analysis has been carried out on an appropriate building. A detailed cultural and scientific project must be drawn up as well as a plan for enriching the collections.

GLOBAL PROGRAMME :

1 House for : Heritage house and visitor center 1 House for : Museum of society 1 House for :

The objectives:
Constitution of a collection of art objects and ethnographical objects that serve as a reference. Conservation and restoration of the architectural heritage. Presentation to the public made up of tourists and academicians in the form of an educational exhibition. Spreading knowledge and awareness by means of cultural and tourism development. Archives for the local population and expatriates. Resource centre for those involved in the global project An important link for promoting the production of handicrafts. The workshops will be visited and the products sold to the visitors. A cultural centre organising programmes within the premises of the museum, such as the dances of South India, readings of books by Indian authors, exhibitions of the work of the inhouse artists, etc. 20
3

A centre for training and production of handicrafts and applied arts 4 1 House for : An international exchange centre 1 House for :
Residents

Themes for the exhibitions:

1. History : The Nagarathar Chettiars, origin and legends The Nagarathar Chettiars, a race of merchants in pre-colonial India. The Nagarathar Chettiars, powerful regions during their peak The Nagarathar Chettiars today. 2. Territory : Chettinadu, clans and temples Chettinadu, urban planning, water management, villages made up of palace houses 3. Way of life and traditions : The types of traditional architecture and external influences The family structure and rites, from birth to death anniversaries Local art and craft in Chettinad : Athangudi tiles ; Chettinad plaster, frescoes ; textile : silk, cotton ; basket work ; wood carving ; figurines and sculptures in terracotta ; bronze work; gold and silver work, jewellery ; stone sculptures; Tanjore paintings ; concrete sculptures. Imported objects : polished marble and granite ; lacquerware from Burma ; terracotta from China, Vietnam and Burma ; ceramics from Japan and Great Britain ; stained glass ; enamel vessels.

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THE ARTS OF THE CRAFTSMEN, THE GLORY OF CHETTINAD

Carving and sculpture of teak wood from Burma. Carving and sculpture of satin wood from Ceylan. Polished granite Floors from Madras. Marble from Italy. Ceramics from Japan and Great-Britain. Frescos. Art of bronze Gold and silver engraving. Jewellery. Decorative stucco. Stained-glass windows.

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The centre for training and production of handicrafts.

Starting a virtuous cycle.

Just as the proprietors of the palaces turned to artisans all over the world in order to build them, the project is truly international in its dimension. The techniques to be developed in the centre will be chosen according to local requirements and potential but research will also include the countries that are well known for their expertise. The project will continue the work already accomplished by the M. Rm. Rm. Foundation which has revived fabric dying techniques for years. In fact, its founder realised that the artisans, who possessed these skills at the time when Chettinad was at its peak, were already octogenarians and that their skills would perish along with them. Athangudi tiles and date palm leaf weaving have been given a new lease of life. Indeed, the splendid silks were awarded a prize by UNESCO for their quality and the creativity. Along the lines of the UNESCO poverty elimination programme, the handicraft centre will ensure: Training, particularly of women and youngsters, who can thus find employment in the production units and restoration sites which will not only enable them to improve their standard of living but also to preserve the cultural heritage. Work for experienced artisans, thus helping the transfer of knowledge between generations. Training in technical areas as well as in the fields of design, management, commercial techniques and new technologies. Support from professionals who work in the centre on a permanent basis as well as from invitees so that the trainees can master the technical and theoretical aspects. Logistics of production and marketing. It is important to ensure that the products are of high quality if they are to meet market expectations. To do this, the production centre will implement a programme for enriching techniques and developing creativity based on a study of the collections of the ecomuseum and an international cultural exchange programme. Similarly, it is important to set up a network of patrons and partners in the countries where the products will be marketed in order to ensure that the production is in line with the demand. One can already plan collaborations with boutiques of museums which produce objects to be sold to their visitors, hotels, and with the international decoration fairs. The artisans will also have access to a small, "start-up" company so that they can produce their work independently. They will hire other artisans to whom they will in their turn teach their expertise. The start-up will house the new workshop but it will mainly take care of the administrative work, marketing and logistics for the time period they require to consolidate their company; 24

A centre for international exchangea catalyst for similar experiments.

Act for diversity

The objective of the workshops is to open perspectives for: Economic growth in the fragile context of heritage conservation Diversity of cultural expression in the age of globalisation. Forging an alliance of design, science and crafts in order to ensure production that is respectful of the environment. The contribution of new technologies and new methods of financing in order to support very small companies. Residence Artists, scientists, experienced professionals and students will be selected from all over the world to form work groups which will stay on the premises. Multi-disciplinary workshops will encourage exchanges and interaction between the artisans and the residents in order to stimulate creativity and exchange knowledge and to map out strategies for sustainable development. Moreover, training will be given by trainers from all over. The trainees will execute their individual and group work which will combine conception and execution. The work of the in-house artists will be displayed in exhibitions and through books and documentaries. University partnerships: The centre will organise programmes on a regular or permanent basis with universities in order to encourage interdisciplinary exchanges as well as exchanges between students in the same field but of various nationalities. Heritage and architecture schools will be involved in the first few programmes. This aspect of the development project will contribute in a significant way to the local economic dynamics and will serve to popularise this experiment of an economy based on solidarity and heritage conservation. 25

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Experiental tourism

Opening up to the world

At present, this region is practically unknown to tourist guides. Only three tour operators have included the visit to the Raja's palace in their programme, with a lunch in an ancient bungalow that has been transformed with great elegance into a charming guest house. The fact that this region has been excluded from the traditional tourist itineraries is all the more surprising as South India is very rich in temple architecture (Dravidian temples) but poor in domestic architecture and palaces. By including this region, tourists will have a considerably more complete picture of the ways of life in South India. We are in fact relying on the novelty aspect to attract a public that is looking for cultural pursuits that are off the beaten track. Indian tourists will be a major objective of the project. The early signs of tourism development can be seen. Two guest rooms have been created in palaces. The Kerala hotel chain " Casino Group Hotels" is restoring an " art-deco " palace. The Neemrana hotels group, managed by experts in the field of transforming heritage buildings into hotels, is studying the possibility of setting up a small establishment. The objectives of the tourism development plan are: To ensure the lodging of the residents and the trainees To support the initiatives of cultural tourism which are respectful of the natural and constructed environment. (Respect of the local population and participation of the communities in the organisation and development of a tourism project ; creating jobs for the local population and fair treatment of personnel, health and security, respecting the aesthetic and authentic nature of the buildings and architecture) To promote amongst the authorities, the local population and tourism professionals, the adoption of the 1995 charter on sustainable development: " Charter for sustainable tourism " drawn up by the WTO. (Educating the personnel on the environmental aspects and their role with respect to this; satisfying the expectations of clients and obtaining their loyalty by giving information and educating them on environmental aspects; saving and/or recycling resources by putting into place the necessary systems, usage of local natural resources for raw material and food, using organic food) To create a resource centre for controlling the impact of tourism on the environment and humans in fragile zones. To spread awareness of the region in India and abroad, to organise visits, conferences and any other programme for promoting the region.

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The initial works

State of urgency
The objectives of this initial work: Understanding the framework. Initial evaluation of the state of the buildings in the territory on the whole and a diagnosis on a selection of buildings that can be chosen. (in progress) Definition of the social and environmental context of the project (in progress) Learning about the political and administrative context as well as the procedures (in progress)

Formulation a development programme Setting up a process of local participation (in progress) Establishing international partnerships (in progress) Evaluation of local resources (in progress) Definition of the organisation chart (in progress) Definition of a programme of operational studies (in progress) Finding the right tools and people for developing local and international skills (in progress) Definition of the methods of evaluation. Financial feasibility Estimation of the investment budget (in progress) Estimation of the working budget, expenses/receipts (in progress) Fixing the time schedule Evaluation of the expected economic results Positioning for the future Estimation of the positive effects after external aid has been withdrawn. 28

Supervision and evaluation of the development project.

A committed venture
The association ArcHe-S, Architecture Heritage Safeguard programme leaders:
Bernard Dragon, an interior designer with a degree from the Ecole Camondo and Michel Adment, architect with a government diploma, have skills in the field of : - architecture for international cultural projects. They have participated in ongoing projects at the National Grand Theater in Beijing and the Oriental Art Centre in Shanghai (China ) ; -Museography ; They were part of the team that conceived and built the Osaka Marim Museum (Japan) and the Bibracte museum (Bourgogne, France) ; - consulting for heritage preservation project management ; Michel Adment has worked in this field for seven years with the management of Muses de France ( French museums). He has also worked on the technical aspects of the Louvre Museum. - applied art, since they market their own line of furniture and their collection of decorative objects made in collaboration with Indian artisans. Bernard Dragon helped to revive Moroccan applied art as a member of the team of architects working for HM Hassan II, the King of Morocco. Last but not the least, they have a thorough knowledge of South India as they have travelled extensively in the region for more than 6 years.

The team is motivated by a passion for creation but they believe that there can be no creation without history or diversity. This is why they have initiated this project and brought together in their association people who believe in the importance of cultural diversity and dialogue between cultures. 29

Catherine Minguella, a specialist in territory development and a Professor of cultural marketing and management, is also participating in this project and will therefore use her expertise for developing initiatives in favour of tourism and culture.

A rchitectural Heritage S a f e g u a r d 41, BD de la Libert 13001 MARSEILLE FRANCE Ph : 33 611 64 05 95 Email : arches@hotmail.fr