Reincarnating Varanasi- Transforming Urban Dynamics and Preserving Heritage

Varanasi: Future Institute, a Delhi based not-for-profit multidisciplinary applied research platform whose work is focused on transforming Indian urbanscapes, has come forward with its initiative for ‘Reincarnating Varanasi’ – creating a blueprint for one of the oldest cities that revitalizes its local economies, lays down the road map for sustainable development, and solidifies its standing as a global cultural landmark.

According to the senior communications manager Neha Shah, Future Institute has proposed the creation of an Urban Ark in Varanasi by joining hands with LEAF India, SHiFT New Delhi and the Dastkari Haat Samiti, and adopting a holistic methodology that takes Varanasi’s physical, historical, anthropological, environmental and economical context into account.

This Urban Ark – comprising high-density mixed-use zones, special projects to support tourism and cultural propagation, SEZs and institutional pockets – will be created along the periphery of the core city, connected to the city centre via existing arterial roads. The approach will bolster the city’s existing infrastructure, lay the foundation for secondary as well as tertiary sector growth, and regulate the inevitable urban sprawl through a plan of development that is specific, ambitious, yet realistic.