Chapter XXII URBAN HERITAGE

1. (1) The Corporation shall be responsible to,-
   • (a) conserve or preserve heritage buildings or sites and heritage areas of historical, architectural, cultural, environmental or ecological significance or sites of scenic beauty that they are not adversely affected by any new development within the Greater Bengaluru Area;
   • (b) enhance the elements of urban plan and built character including landscape of the City; and
   • (c) provide the guidelines with regard to demolition, protection, conservation or re-building of and alterations or additions to the existing building those are to be designated and conserved in heritage areas.
2. (2) The Corporation in consultation with the Greater Bengaluru Authority shall issue regulations or bye-laws for the implementation of this chapter in accordance with those orders, rules, regulations, bye-laws or guidelines issued by the Central Government or the State Government from time to time.

Buildings, Heritage Precincts and Listed Natural Features Areas.- (1) The Commissioner shall prepare and supplement a list of heritage sites including Heritage Buildings, Heritage Precincts and listed Natural Features Areas on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee.

1. (2) Before being finalized, objections and suggestions of the public shall be invited and considered.
2. (3) The list may be supplemented from time to time by the Commissioner upon the recommendations of the Government. When a building or group of buildings or natural feature areas are listed it shall mean, unless otherwise indicated, that the entire property including its entire compound or plot boundary along with all the subsidiary structures and arte facts, with in the compound or plot boundary, hall form part of the list.

The Corporation may provide incentives to the owners or occupiers of heritage buildings included in the Heritage Conservation List, in such manner as may be prescribed, which may include provisional financial support, exemption from property tax, and such other incentive as may be deemed necessary to assist in the preservation of heritage buildings in the existing state, and to preserve its heritage state with due repairs: Provided that, if the heritage building is not maintained suitably or if the heritage value of the building is spoiled in any manner, the incentives may be revoked and such penalties may be levied, as may be prescribed.

Government shall constitute a Heritage Conservation Committee endowing it with such powers and functions as may be prescribed.

1. (2) The Commissioner, on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee, shall frame appropriate regulations for the protection, conservation and maintenance of heritage buildings and sites in the City.
2. (3) The Heritage Conservation Committee shall consists of:-
   • (i) The Chief Commissioner Chair person
   • (ii) The Chief Town Planner, Greater Bengaluru Authority Member-Secretary
   • (iii) The Commissioner of all City Corporations in Greater Bengaluru Authority Member
   • (iv) Additional Chief Town Planners of all City Corporations in Greater Bengaluru Authority Member
   • (v) An Architect from Public Works Department Member
   • (vi) A Structural Engineer with experience of not less than ten years in the field and membership of the Institution of Engineers, India Member
   • (vii) An Architect having not less than ten years of experience nominated by the Government Member
   • (viii) An Urban Designer nominated by the Government Member
   • (ix) A Conservation Architect with not less than five years of experience nominated by the Government Member
   • (x) An Environmentalist with in-depth knowledge and not less than ten years of experience in the field nominated by the Government Member
   • (xi) A Historian having in-depth knowledge and not less than ten years of experience in the field nominated by the Government Member
   • (xii) A Natural historian having in-depth knowledge and not less than ten years of experience in the field nominated by the Government Member
   • (xiii) A Representative of the Central Archaeological Department Member
   • (xiv) A Representative of the State Archaeological Department Member
3. (4) The Committee shall have the powers to co-opt maximum of three additional members who shall have related experience.
4. (5) The working of the Committee shall be such as may be prescribed.
5. (6) The tenure of the Chairperson and Members of the Committee, other than official representative, shall be three years.

(1) The Heritage Buildings and Heritage Precincts listed shall be graded into categories as specified in Schedule II.

1. (2) Any modification, repair, change in facade, interior or exterior, that may alter the character of the building or site or precinct shall be made to the extent permitted in Schedule II and in accordance to any orders, rules, regulations, bye-laws or guidelines issued to this effect.

The Heritage Conservation Committee shall carry out the following functions, namely:–

1. (a) undertake identification and listing of heritage buildings and precincts which need to be notified as and recommend the same to the City Corporations for inclusion.
2. (b) recommend to the City Corporations whether development permission shall be granted to the Heritage Buildings;
3. (c) evaluate the cost of repairs to be paid to the owners for conservation or maintenance of a listed building;
4. (d) approve special designs and guidelines for notified buildings and control of height and essential façade characteristics of the buildings and suggest suitable designs and adopting new materials for replacements keeping the old form intact to the extent possible;
5. (e) frame special regulations for Heritage Buildings and Heritage Precincts and furnish the same to the City Corporations;
6. (f) undertake such actions as may be necessary for the physical conservation and restoration of urban heritage buildings and sites; and
7. (g) undertake such programs and projects for generating awareness about heritage including educational programs, identification and listing of heritage resources, conducting heritage walks, organizing lectures, seminars and conferences dedicated to heritage in the City.

(1) Being listed as a heritage building requires the usage of the building to be in harmony with the conditions prescribed for, based on its Grade and does not impose any restriction on the sale or purchase of such a building and does not require permission from the City Corporations or Heritage Conservation Committee.

1. (2) The City Corporation shall have the first right of refusal over sale of any listed heritage building.