The Chettinad Heritage House - arche

Indian Heritage Cities Network
2nd Biennal Conference-Hyderabad
Revive Chettinad Heritage Campaign
Concept of a Chettinad Heritage House
Key tool for shaping the future
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Location and Geography
Location:
Southern part of Tamil Nadu State (South India), which capital is Chennai
(Madras), The main town of the region is Karaikkudi, which is 480 km from
Chennai. The region spread over two districts, Sivagangai and Pudukottai,
comprising two cities and 73 villages.
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Capital of TN: Chennai 480 km
International airport: Tiruchirapalli, 90 km
National airport: Madurai, 90 km
Thanjavor (WHS UNESCO), 90 km
Main town: Karaikudi, Train Station
Epicentre: Kanadukathan, Historical Chettinad train station
Coordinates: 10°10’N, 78°46’E
Chettinad
Climate:
Located in a semi-arid plain of 1,550 square kilometers, the region receives
two monsoons:
The South West Monsoon, from July to mid September, 100ml;
The North East monsoon from October to December; 180 ml.
The region of Chettinad showcases some of the most interesting water
management systems and drainage pattern. A water management was
planned by the Chettiars to unable the control of flow of water which
depends only on the rain water resources.
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Geography
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Semi-arid landscape
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Location
TRICHY,
90 km/ 2h
Pondicherry
TANJAVUR,
90 km/ 2h
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Thiruchirapalli
Thanjavur
CHETTINAD
CHETTINAD
MADURAI,
90 km/ 2h
Madurai
Rameswaram
RAMESWARAM, 130 km/3h
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Chettinad Heritage Region
A History
The Chettinadu means country of the Chettiars. 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.
The golden age of the community was from 1850 to 1930 after the opening of the Suez Canal when they
established a financial empire in Burma, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
The world financial depression: Their recent history is closely linked to the sweeping geopolitical changes that
took place in the middle of the 20th century in this vast region. These changes made the Region and its very
unique heritage forgotten for the last decades.
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Urban Grid Pattern
Devakottai
Athangudi
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Kanadukathan
Kothamangalam
Pallathur
The 73 villages and the two towns of the region have been planned following the same urban grid pattern. This
urban organization is the reflect of the traditional rules of the space. The main streets are oriented South/ North,
second streets are oriented East/West; Rectangular plots with a particular proportion of 1 by 4 such as 30 meters
length by 120 meters long.
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Architectural Ensembles
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Chettinad Heritage Region
The Palatial Homes
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Palatial Mansions
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Reception hall, Karaikkudu
Raja’s Palace, Kanadukathan
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The territory and the Clan Temples
The Chettinad is a geo-cultural territory which is
organized around the 9 clan temples. Each
member of the Chettiar community belongs to
a clan, each clan has its temple run by the
group.
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Neman temple
Location of the 9 clan temples
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Ayyanar Temple
Ayyanar is a preAryan protecting
Deity which is very
popular in Tamil
Nadu, particularly in
Chettinad. The
shrines are located
at the entrance of
the villages in order
to ensure their
protection. Every
year for the Tamil
new year, terracotta
horses, cows or
elephants are
offered to Ayyanar
for thanking for his
protection.
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Terracotta figures in Ayyanar shrine at Kotadi and Kothamangalam Sivagangai district
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad: The ooranis
As Chettinad is located in a semi-arid plain, the chettiars have elaborated a sophisticated
water management system with a huge network for collecting the rain water. The Oorani is
a Tamil word for surface water storage tank located in the villages and towns.
In Chettinad, each village comprise a minimum of three water bodies accordingly to the
needs of storage for drinking and bathing uses of the villagers.
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad: The Erys
Part of this water management system, the Erys are traditional surface water storage lakes
organized in a huge network necessary for sustainable in agriculture.
They have played, through the ages, a very important role in irrigation and in eco-system in
low-rainfall agricultural areas, such as Chettinad.
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Ery near Kanadukathan
Below the ery rice fields near Kanadukathan
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Chettinad Train Station
A well planned
area : The
Chettinad train
station is the
historic gateway to
the region. It is part
of a well planned
area which
connect the core
of Kanadukathan,
(with its Raja’s
palace), to the
Shivan Temple, the
Raja’s Island, the
cotton mills and
the train station.
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The plazza in Chettinad train station
Old Chettinad train station
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The Art Deco Heritage
The Chettinad region
comprise a great
number of surprising
“Art Deco” style
houses. Generally built
in the 40/50’s, the
buildings are
showcasing elements
of architecture with
different influences
taken from Eastern Asia
to Western side. Many
villages offer examples
of this typical late style.
Karaikkudi is comprising
entire Art-Deco areas,
such as the Thousand
Windows House which
could be proposed for
heritage walks.
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Elevation of twin house in Kanadukathan
Art Deco house in Karaikkudi
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Living heritage : The skills
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Chariot makers
Kottan
Metal work
Wood work
Jewelry
Athangudi tiles
Weaving
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Intangible Heritage
The Traditions and the Living Arts
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Wedding function
Art of Kolam
Chettinad cuisine
Barathanattyam
Village festival
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Chettinad Heritage Region
Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Natural Heritage
Bird Watching and Sacred Woods
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Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary
Vettangudi Ayyanar shrine : Testimony of sacdred wood
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Challenges to Conservation and Development
Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships
Bad future : A lucrative business of antiques
It is not only time that threatens 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.
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Challenges to Conservation and Development
Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships
Massive desertion, demolition, lack of maintenance:
The marvelous heritage left by past generations has progressively been eroded. This map
historic core of Kanadukathan is showing in red that a large number of the mansions have
yet disappeared.
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Diagram of estimate demolished houses in the village of kanadukathan
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Challenges to Conservation and Development
Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships
Lack of protection and regulations in a large territory
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Development without
protection plan and
regulations will entail
the loss of the
Chettinad heritage.
A specific master
plan will be necessary
to define the
possibilities of
heritage based
development:
Definition of heritage
zone; Height of the
buildings; Alignments,
Type of windows;
Materials; Colors.
Public facilities have
also to be
considered.
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Opportunities to Conservation & Development
A Central Location in South Tamil Nadu
The new railway lane from Chennai to Rameswaram with a stop in Chettinad
The Improvement of the major roads
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Well connected by air with two airport 90 Km from the region
Well preserved region
Potential for reuse of palatial homes
A large geo-cultural territory with strong identity
Inclusion into the 2008 Watch List of the World Monuments Fund
Inclusion into UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme
Commitment of Tamil Nadu Government and district collectors
International cooperation programme such as Region Centre (regional Gvt of
France)/Tamil Nadu State Gvt
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Looking to the Future
Revive Chettinad Development Project
Improvement of Public Facilities
Improvement of inter city connection
Improvement of public spaces in respect of heritage value
Treatment Solid waste
Water management, inclusive traditional water system
Improvement of Sanitation
Renewable energies such as production of solar energy, windmill, biomass
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Creation of the Heritage House and the Heritage Centre:
Creation of a centre for awareness and advice for the local authorities and the
inhabitants
Information centre for the visitors
Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary:
Development of a Regional Identity Brand
Implementation of different heritage trails around the region
Training guides
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Looking to the Future
Revive Chettinad Development Project
Creation of a Master Plan, inclusive local Protection and Development Plan
Regional level
Local and village level
Restoration and Adaptive Re-use
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Development of a Cultural Tourism
Development of different form of accommodations for tourists
Creation of tourism facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir shops
Development of cultural activities such as an interpretation Center and an Ecomuseum
Highlight the Chettinad gourmet cuisine
Highlight living heritage
Revive and Development of the Chettinad Handicraft
Encouraging initiative for local knowhow by micro credit
Promoting local handicraft
Creation of a Centre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and Applied Arts
Creation of a Centre for International Exchange
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Action Plan
The proposed "Revive Chettinad Development Project" will be executed in two
phases:
First phase
A plan for the protection of the area will be created and put into place tools for developing
and protecting the site. This will involve the creation of a Heritage House and a Heritage
Centre, housed in a restored palace and equipped with a multi-disciplinary team entrusted
with the task of studying and promoting the site :
•A plan for the protection of the area
•The creation of the Chettinad Heritage House in a restored heritage heritage building;
• The creation of a Heritage Centre in a restored heritage building;
•The creation of an Interpretation Centre in the old Chettinad train station;
• Drawing up conservation and enhancement plan at regional and local level .
Second phase
A larger development project will be implemented. This will involve the creation of an
Ecomuseum for the conservation and exhibition of collections that serve as a reference; a
Centre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and Applied Arts; a Centre for
International Exchange, with the purpose of finding synergies between creativity and the
conservation of heritage; and the development of cultural tourism :
•The creation of an Ecomuseum
•The cretion of a Centre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and Applied Arts
•The creation of a Centre for International Exchange
•Adaptive Cultural Tourism
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House
The Chettinad Heritage House :
•Definition
•How
•Programme
•Activiities
•Current situation
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House
What is a Heritage House
A heritage building :
A Heritage House is usually set up in a public
heritage building located in the core heritage
area. It is a building which needs to be restored
by adaptive skills following the report of a
conservation architect. The restoration work
serves as pilot and training project for heritage
basis.
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A team of experts :
A Heritage House is staffed by trained architects
and urban planners, supported by jurists,
mediators or other fields when required and
international experts. The work and studies of
the team has to be undertaken along with the
local authorities, such as the district collectors
and village or town pachayats.
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House
The setting up of a Heritage House has to be based an institutional, a political and a legal
support :
Institutional support
Multi-bi-lateral partnership agreement such as :
State Government /UNESCO
State Government /International institutions
UNESCO / International institutions
UNESCO /NGO
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Political support
National level : GoI
State level : GoTN
Local level : District collectors
Legal support
Government or local level ownership
Local NGO for running up the activities
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House
The Programme of the Chettinad Heritage House
•Exhibition rooms;
•Office of the heritage team;
•Visitors services;
•Interpretation center;
•Pedagogical workshops;
•Handicraft demonstration and workshop;
•Heritage workshop;
•Resource center;
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Children School
Office
Heritage
Workshop
Exhibition
Pedagogical
Workshop
rooms
Visitors services
School in the old Alagappa Chettiar house in Kottaiyur proposed to be converted into the Chettinad Heritage House
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Activities of the Chettinad Heritage House
The activities amongst others of the Chettinad Heritage House
•Provision of technical and legal advice to the local population for the
conservation;
• Technical and legal advice to the local population the re-adaptive use of
traditional buildings;
•Awareness and technical assistance to the local authorities on heritage issues;
•Permanent watch;
•Survey and inventory of heritage buildings and structures;
•Drawing up of conservation plan for historical structures;
•Preparation of a regional and local heritage management plan;
•Exhibitions and information centre to the visitors;
•Participation to local heritage committees;
•Development of a heritage-based itinerary;
•Bring heritage skills and capacity building to local stake holders;
•Create a basis of knowledge;
•Organization of seminars;
•Manage and coordinate university partnerships on site;
•Publish studies and researches.
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Heritage Center
The Heritage House will also house the Heritage Centre which will receive national and
international visitors :
•Many services (utilities, coffeeshop, 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)
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•Conception of medium term projects (eco-museum, centre for training and production of
handicrafts and applied art, centre for international exchanges).
Example of exhibits : Baskets, kottans, various containers, vessel at Rm. Rm. Foundation in Kanadukathan
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation Center
Creation of an Interpretation Center
In connection with the Chettinad Heritage House, an interpretation and information center
to visitors will be housed in the old Chettinad train station, Gateway of the region.
It will be a key tool for sensitizing, interpreting and giving practical information.
Panels produced by university partnerships and the team of the Heritage House will be
displayed in the old restored building in collaboration with international experts, ArcHe-S and
UNESCO .
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Proposed heritage-based itinerary
Heritage building at the Chettinad train station to be
converted into Interpretation Center
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation Center
The Space and the Function
The Space and the Function
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Palatial Homes
Climatic Architecture
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Heritage-based intinerary
Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary:
Architectural and urban Trail :
Implementation of heritage walks in core area such as Karaikkudi,
Kottaiyur, Pallathur, Kanadukathan, Kothamangam, Ryavaram,
Kadiyapatti.
Country Planning Trail.
Area around the Chettinad Train Station restored
Temple trail:
Clan temples ; Village temples ; Ayyanar temples .
Art Deco Trail:
Walk around the important 20/40’s area of Karaikkudi and other
villages
Handicraft Trail;
Wood work and chariot marker and Handloom weavers in
Karaikkudi, Athangudi tiles, Kotans in Pilayarpatti.
Nature trail:
Bird watching and walking through traditional water system (erys).
Sea shore trail:
Fisherman port of Mimisal, Avudaiyarkovil temple, the village potters
who are making every years these beautiful horse, cows or elephant
figures offered to the local deity of Ayyanar .
Cuisine training:
Chettinad cuisine experience.
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan
Identification of the local planning area and preparation of regional master
plan:
Collection of data
•Gathering of historical knowledge
•Collecting all the necessary documentation for carrying out the survey: cartography,
surveys undertaken by or for the Government departments
•Seeking the help of Government institutions and departments that are likely to have the
pertinent knowledge or information
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Identification, analysis and diagnosis of the heritage
•Survey of the territory for identifying the heritage elements and understanding the evolution
of the places
•Delimitating the historical core zone
•Inventory sheets
•Studying architectural evolution and specific details
•Examining shape, scale, Interaction between buildings.
The studies will be undertaken by an architect specialized in heritage conservation, a team
of architects and urban planners.
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan
Inventory sheets
Studying architectural
evolution
Understanding the
Architectural organisation
within each plot.
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Example of inventory sheets and architectural studies of the city of Chartres (France) before proposal for conservation plan
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan
Proposal for future orientations
•Analysis and a diagnosis concerning the heritage by adopting a planning approach
•Proposals for orientations which will be presented to local bodies and inhabitants defining
the limits of the sector to be preserved in the Chettinad territory;
•Overview of the rules for heritage zones;
•These proposals will take into account all development plans for the entire sector.
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EXAMPLE OF A SECTOR PROTECTION PLAN FOR
THE CITY OF CHINON (REGION CENTRE,
FRANCE) showing :
Historic momuments;
Monuments;
Heritage buildings to be protected;
Buildings to be restored:
Buildings of no heritage value;
Buildings to be demolished;
Natural zone to be protected.
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : University partnership
University partnership
University partnerships will be importany for initiating and developing heritage skills and
awareness and capacity building in Tamil Nadu.
The Heritage House will coordinate university workshop and different programme in the fields
of :
•Heritage and conservation;
•Urban planning;
•Water ressources;
•Environmental studies, such as sustainable energies;
•Nature and forest management;
•Tourism development;
•Branding the Chettinad identity;
•Local governance and capacity building.
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Documents realized by the students in architecture of Anna University Chennai during the Chettinad
Heritage Studio Jan. 2008, SAP Anna/Ecole de Chaillot
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : promote cultural tourism and economic revival
Cultural Tourism:
•Creation of a coordination committee of heritage hotels in the region;
•Promoting micro-projects such as Bed & Breakfast along with an organized network;
•Creating or promoting a network of private houses to be visited along with the community;
•Training guides;
•Organization of cultural events :
Dance and music festivals
Village festivals
Exhibition of handicraft and art
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Researches for economical revival :
•Tourism alternatives;
•Outsourcing activities;
•Sport activities;
•Centers of excellence :
Heritage skills
Applied arts
Art and design
Cosmetic
Traditional medecine such as ayurveda
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Revive Chettinad Development Project
Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Current situation
•Phase of finalizing partnership agreement between GoTN and UNESCO;
•Approved decentralized cooperation programme supported by Region Centre
France and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with UNESCO, the
city of Aix-en-Provence, the Ministry of the Culture France, the NGO ArcHe-S, the
urban agency ADUC and the Revive Chettinad Society;
•Cultural cooperation agreement on process between GoTN and Region Center
France;
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•Commitment of local authorities for the creation of the Chettinad Heritage House
and the proposed Old Alagappa House in Kottaiyur;
•Transfer of ownership of this house from local level to state level, Department of
Tourism;
•Missions of ArcHe-S for District Collector Sivagangai on improvement of public
space and the restoration of the Alagappa oorani in Kanadukathan;,
recommendation reports
•Cooperation programme between Anna University, Dept of Archtecture
Chennai, and postgraduate School of conservation, Ecole de Chaillot, Paris.
•Inclusion of Chettinad into the 2008 Watch List of the World Monuments Fund, USA;
•Inclusion into the UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme.
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The Revive Chettinad Heritage Campaign is a
heritage based-development program launched in
May 2007 by UNESCO New Delhi in collaboration
with ArcHe-S with the endorsement of the
Tamil Nadu Government
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Thank you for your attention
Supported by UNESCO
Website: www.unesco.org/newdelhi
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