Urban

Conservation
Mattanchery

Submitted by- Shahina Muthu, Roll no: 15; Sharmin Shafeek, Roll no: 17;M3, M.Plan

During 1440 AD Kochi City grew around Mattancherry settlement as a
city of 5 miles of circumference and Chinese and Arabs used to trade
with the natives of the town.

Kochi was ruled by the Kochi Rajas in the period from 12th Centaury
onwards. In 16th Centaury AD Portuguese came to Kochi and
subsequently built their Fort and thus the formation of Fort Kochi.

In 17th Century AD, the Dutch and subsequently British in 18th Century
invaded Kochi.

The Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Fort Vypeen placed right at the sea
mouth has experienced immense trade related activities and has
developed a rich pluralistic culture and tradition unique to this heritage
zone.
 Issues Related to Heritage

As the City of Kochi grew around Ernakulam as a major town, this area
had been left behind by developments and investments. However, due
to the growing demand of the tourism industry has made this heritage
zone alive again. Sanitation and health has become one of the major
issues. Pulling down and unauthorized modifying of valuable heritage
structures and public spaces is also a major issue in this zone.
Unsympathetic and alien developments destroying the harmony in
heritage zones due to lack of proper development guidelines is
experienced in this field. Public spaces of intense use such as streets
and markets choke with traffic jams resulting in unfriendly public areas.

Major Connection

9
Source - www.slideshare.in
Godowns and Courtyards: An Urban Typology

•  Narrow and long, Bazar Road was once a bustling
regional marketplace. its two-story buildings, with
decorated windows, patterned eaves, and carved
doors, must have presented a formidable, unified
facade.
•  In general, the impressive Mattancherry god owns
run perpendicular to the street. Grand doors lead
from Bazar Road to expansive courtyards surrounded
by structures that extend to the water’s edge.
•  Designed for storing goods in a hot climate with two
monsoon seasons, these wharf buildings have steep
wood-framed gable roofs covered with clay tiles.
•  The combination of a linear streetfront with the deep
godown courtyard forms a marvelous urban typology.
•  Cochin has the opportunity to lead the way in
reexamining the workable patterns of a pedestrian
city.
•  Streetfront shops and markets, narrow lanes, green
spaces, water transport, walled compounds, and
godown courtyards can all work together to create
density and livability. 10
Source - http://escholarship.org/uc/item/0m09p7pm
COSTAL REGULATION ZONE

20
Source - www.slideshare.in
 Conservation and Development Plan – for the
Heritage Zone of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery

•  This is one of the biggest heritage conservation
projects conceived to protect the rich cultural and
natural heritage of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery.

•  The project was initiated by the c-hed and the UNESCO

has given full support and assistance in the preparation
of DPR for the above and the implementation of the
same.

•  The experts from UNESCO has already started working

on the same and a pilot project in this regard is already
prepared.
The salient features of this venture are as follows:

1.  Preservation of the delimitated territory of the heritage

zone and its sustainable management.
2.  Assessment and sharing of qualities and values of the
heritage area.
3.  Conservation of the historic fabric of the old town whilst
improving and promoting the site as a bustling living and
working city.
4.  Ensuring development is achieved in a manner which
enhances the overall value of the environment.
5.  Improving the urban environment-streets and public space –
the economy and housing. Pursuing the creative and
compatible mix of functions.
6.  Maintain and enhance the composite cultural diversity and
social coherence of the historic city.
The project is in its initial stages and the Government of Kerala has agreed to sanction
Rs 50 crore for the implementation of this project.