La città murata di Ahmedabad. Tentativi di protezione e processi di equità

The research focuses on the walled city of Ahmedabad, a Unesco heritage site since 2017, with the aim of analysing the issue of heritage conservation in rapidly changing urban environments, characterised by social, cultural and spatial contradictions and conflicts. Specifically, the aim is to examine the most appropriate research methodologies and design strategies to address the challenges related to the interpretation, modification and management of ‘Landscapes of History’ in a complex context such as India (BOBBIO, 2015). The present research considers not only the tangible architectural structures, but also the intangible heritage of the intertwined cultures within the city, particularly the Hindu and Muslim traditions, which define its historical and contemporary identity. These reflections link with the analysis of conservation methods adopted in India and the concept of ‘equity’ (Desai, 2019), understood as a fundamental principle for heritage evaluation and preservation in a scenario as India. Indeed, the ‘equity’ implications related to the sustainability and management of cultural heritage imply the direct involvement of people and communities in conservation projects, with a specific focus on inclusive valorisation and social impacts. This requires appropriate professional expertise to tackle the challenges of heritage conservation through a multidisciplinary approach that balances tradition and innovation, compliance with cultural specificities and adaptation to global transformations. In this sense, cultural heritage can act as a laboratory for developing collective awareness and active community participation, promoting an equitable and participatory model of conservation.