Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC) focuses on advancing the discourse of built heritage conservation through the lenses of sustainability and equity in the Indian Context. The Center collaborates on the most pioneering international research projects on one hand, and engages with the government, city administration, and industry on the other,  to inform policies and practices on ground. The team at CHC approaches conservation as a comprehensive process that is situated in an ever-changing environment and constantly engages with all actors and stakeholders that are a part of that change. The educational activities conducted by the team at CHC is recognized as one of the best practices internationally.

Key Activities: 

  • Creating a repository of knowledge on Heritage Conservation in India
  • Engaging in research projects that advance the knowledge in the Indian Context 
  • Advising government, local bodies, and industry on aspects of heritage conservation and conservation led regeneration with solutions that are long-term, implementable, and equitable. 
  • Offer short courses for Continuous Professional Development of policy makers, practitioners, and implementers. 
  • Initiate actions that become a platform for engaging all stakeholder and right holders in an informed discourse of heritage conservation. 

Collaborators:

  • Ahmedabad Sunni Muslim WAQF Committee
  • AINA (Kutch)
  • Avichal Heritage Foundation (Dharmaj) 
  • Centre for Environment Education 
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
  • Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Gujarat
  • International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM)
  • Kala Chaupal Trust (Bulandshahr)
  • Nottingham Trent University
  • University of York

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Leadership


Jigna  Desai

Jigna Desai

Center Head and Principal Researcher

Jigna Desai brings to the institute her experience in working with traditional urban environments and framing how traditional architecture may be understood, studied and transformed. Her current work focuses on formulating frameworks, tools and methods through which theoretical ideas of sustainability and conservation of living historic environments can be translated into practice while addressing the challenges of co-production of space and commodification of heritage.

Jigna has worked on preparing the nomination dossier that led to the inscription of Ahmedabad as a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 2017 and has extensive experience in architecture and conservation research. She advocates community-based conservation and has partnered with several national and international institutions on heritage preservation initiatives in different parts of India. Jigna is an expert member of the International Scientific Committee for Historic Towns and Villages, International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and an active ICOMOS India chapter member. She is also a director of an award-winning practice - JMA Design Co that she co-founded with Mehul Bhatt in 1999. 

Jigna has studied architecture and has a master’s degree in sustainable architecture from Cardiff University and a PhD in Conservation Studies from CEPT University.

CHC Team

Resources

Understanding Archaeology
Understanding Archaeology

Webinar Recording CHC

Risk Assessment of Cultural Heritage
Risk Assessment of Cultural Heritage

Webinar Recording CHC

Talk by Chandler McCoy
Talk by Chandler McCoy

Presentation CHC


All Resources from CHC

News


All News from CHC

Events

CHC Inaugural Lecture: by Dr. Gill Chitty
Lecture
CHC Inaugural Lecture: by Dr. Gill Chitty

March 25, 2019
Auditorium , CEPT University

Vishwanath Dham Project
Seminar
Vishwanath Dham Project

May 11, 2019
CEPT Auditorium

A talk on Conserving Modern Architecture by Chandler McCoy
Lecture
A talk on Conserving Modern Architecture by Chandler McCoy

January 16, 2020
FP- 103 CEPT Auditorium

Launch of the Ahmedabad Cross Section
Book Launch
Launch of the Ahmedabad Cross Section

July 03, 2020
Online

All Events from CHC

Contact Us

Center for Heritage Conservation

Near AES Boys Hostel Campus,
University Ground, Navrangpura,
Ahmedabad - 380009

Phone: +91 7777982404
Email: chc@cept.ac.in