casestudy on conservation of historic township (leh)

A REPORT ON CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC TOWNSHIP
KATHMANDU ENGINEERING COLLEGE (B.ARCH 2068 V / I)
DARSHANA DHAUBANJAR, DIBASHADHIKARI, DIVYA POUDEL,LAXMI BASNET, SADIKSHYA GAUTAM
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1. INTRODUCTION TOCONSERVATION
1.1 Definition
Conservation is the action taken against decay to prolong the life and the integrity of a
built heritage or of a settlement. Conservation not only develops expertise, it helps us to
learn about the holistic nature and its technical aspects. It provides us the knowledge to
criticize and appreciate. Historic structures, monuments or settlements are the most
important part of the cultural heritage and human civilization. Building materials
deteriorate with age and exposure to the weather. Typology, construction and
organization of the structure, element/block size, type of construction materials vary
depending on the construction period.
Some of the art and crafts of medieval Nepal still shines with fineness. The fine
craftsmanship of Nepal lets us construe the affluent culture of medieval Nepal.
Unfortunately, due to lack of proper care and maintenance the ancient civilization which
has architectural values is becoming evanescent. The esoteric art of carving motifs was
passed on from generation to generation. A craftsman would learn such skills at a very
early age from his grandfather. Today the skill has to become almost arcane known only
to the selected few who dare to take the arduous way. A cursory glance of the temples
of the Kathmandu valley will be that’s needed to feel the crumbling picture of the
traditional art and crafts.
Only a hand full of monuments and settlements has been given the privilege of
“conservation”, yet there are hundreds of monuments and civilizations, which are in dire
need of repair and restoration. It is certain that the art of 14th century Kathmandu would
have been unrivaled through the globe. The situation now is abysmal: the so-called
‘modern influence’ has left such a big scar on the valley that the task of returning it to the
former glory is almost insurmountable.
The need of conservation is undeniable. Everything around us will either perish or be
transformed into a new form, sooner or later. Our past is out roots and it needs to be
respected. The cultural relics of our ancestors have been renowned all over the worlds
for its fine craftsmanship. It’s the duty of the current generation not to act according to
whims of fashion and follow the popular trend but to look after and preserved the objects
of heritage.

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1.2. Values in conservation
As we know that only the building which has significance and values, seek for
conservation; those types of buildings has different values which have made it more
crucial. Those values maybe emotional values, architectural values, aesthetic values,
archeological values, socio-economic values and even political and spiritual values.
a. Emotional values
b. Use values
c. Cultural Values
1.3. Philosophy of conservation
It is an attempt to set out the ethics and principles to guide work on traditional buildings.
Some of the guiding ethics and principles common in conservation philosophy:
Ethics
 Authenticity
 Integrity
 Avoidance and conjecture
 Inseparable bond with setting
 Respect for all contributions
 Rights for the indigenous community
 Respect for age and patina
Principles
 Minimal intervention
 Like for materials
 Conserve as found/ retention of original fabric
 Reversibility
 Documentation
 Legibility
For over a century, various doctrines have guided the practice of heritage conservation.
Historically three major characters have influenced conservation philosophy. Basic
intervention theories of historic preservation are framed in the dualism of the retention of
the status quo versus a restoration that creates something that may never actually have

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existed in the past, John Ruskin was a strong proponent of the former, which Viollet-le –
duc, argued for the latter.
1.4. Principles of conservation
Conservation is the process of caring for buildings and places and of managing change
to them in such a way as to retain their character and special interest. Historic structures
are such unique resource. Over- restorations can harm the special qualities of a building
with the loss of details, materials and craftsmanship which, while sometimes seeming of
little significance in themselves, can contribute to the character of the building and make
it special. For this reason, it is vitally important. Following points are the principles of
conservation:
a. Keeping a building in use
b. Researching and analyzing
c. Using expert conservation advice
d. Protecting the special interest
e. Promoting minimum intervention
f. Respecting earlier alterations of interest
g. Repairing rather than replacing
h. Promoting honesty of repairs and alterations
i. Using appropriate materials and methods
j. Ensuring reversibility of alterations
k. Avoiding incremental damage
l. Discouraging the use of architectural salvage from other buildings
1.5. Methodology of conservation
When the object is identified as necessity of conservation then it follows certain steps to
conduct. The main agenda of conservation is to conserve those valuable objects prior to
identity. There are certain methodologies to conduct the conservation
 Inventory
 Inspection
 Documentation and interventions
1.5.1 Inventory:
This comprises of recording of what exist. It has to be done systematically that
corresponds to its area of work. The steps involved in the inventory of architectural
conservation are:

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o Photography
o Photogrammetric
o Drawings/sketches
o Survey
o Models
The main aim of the inventory is to describe the settlement to be conserved.
1.5.2. Inspection:
A preliminary visual inspection and study of each building is necessary in order to know
and define as a whole. The present condition of the building must be recorded
methodically and then whatever further studies are required, can be reported. In
conservation, inspection starts from the roof where construction starts from the
foundation. Also, the starting point for the conservation would be the corner of North-
west and follows clockwise direction. This work basically focuses on types, use of
materials, and kind of deterioration. In case of roof, slope type or flat type, roofing
materials is either C.G.I or tiles, even in C.G.I rusting or other tear and wear has occurred
or not, if yes then how much, what kind is recorded. In case of battens and rather, the
type of timber is inspected.
After inspection, the process is followed by the report writing in simple language which
has the clarity even for the understanding of laymen. Report should be in standard format
defining work divisions like; immediate works, urgent works, necessary works, desirable,
items to be kept in construction. Along with report, it should also give preliminary
estimate.
Inspection Criteria 1
Mostly, post- hazard visual screening methods are based on street surveys which collect
data from the exterior of the building. After any hazardous event observation of the
pattern and damages on the building is quite enough in order to make the initial decision
for the safety condition of the building. Conversely investigation of potential risk and the
pre-hazard safety evaluation of the structures necessitate more data.
The visual data includes:
 Damage state and physical condition of the building,
 Structural and geometrical typology,
 Typology of the place where the building is located,
 Earthquake zone, potential vulnerabilities, etc.
Inspection Criteria 2
Inspection depends not only to the existing condition of the building but also to the

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inspector’s experiences and knowledge. For the universality of purpose, generally a
questionnaire with check lists are used and these are supported by damage atlases,
damage indexes, user guides, etc.
Inspection includes the following steps:
o Achieving the schematic plan drawing of the building.
o General history of the building, information of construction
o Giving axial system to the building for representing each structural element
(Divide structural elements as vertical, horizontal and diagonal)
o Obtaining metric data of structural elements
o Visual inspection of the building by focusing on the existing state of the
decay and damage of structural elements.
o Evaluation of the overall state
o Results and recommendations
1.5.3. Intervention:
It refers to an object subjected to any action. Thus, it has to be carried out with respect
to an object. Basically conservation is aimed at prolonging the life of a monument with
the help of various kinds of treatments. The main concept of conservation is to retain
the authenticity of the monuments of the greatest possible extent. Hence, prevention of
deterioration is the first degree of intervention which seeks to maintain the originality of
the object.
1.6. Degrees of intervention
Intervention practically always involves some loss of value in cultural property. The
minimum degree of intervention necessary and the techniques used depend upon the
condition of the climate, to which the cultural property is likely to be subjected.
Atmospheric pollution and traffic vibration must be considered and earthquake and
flood hazards should be assessed. The nine degrees of intervention are:
1. Prevention of Deterioration
This method seeks to stop further decay; or retards the decay.
 Protecting cultural property by controlling the environment
 Controlling agents of decay: humidity, fire, vandalism, theft, temperature, etc.
 Increasing awareness and decreasing neglect.
 Reducing atmospheric pollution, vibrations (traffic, industrial)
 Reducing ground subsidence
For example, in case of Bhaktapur Project, suitable paving of street and courtyard

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was done, small industrial area with non polluting character were established which
allowed only handicraft, art related industries.
2. Preservation
This method seeks to keep the monument in its existing state. Intervention is
done directly to the cultural property.
 Importance given in the retention of all historic fabric
 Regular inspections
 Regular repair and maintenance
 Objective is to keep cultural property in a desirable same state.
For example, in Bhaktapur Project, facilities for monument maintenance office were
provided. Regular inspectionand maintenance of monuments were done. Repair of
Tilmahadev Narayan and Swet Bhairav of taumadi was done.
3. Consolidation
This method seeks to insert some strengthing elements in case the monument is
no longer able to withstand the decay mechanism on its own.
 Should not deviate from the existing structural pattern and form
 Retain originality, use local skills and materials
 However, when strictly necessary, reversible modern techniques can be used.
For instance, in Bhaktapur Project, cracks developed in the domical roof, ring beam
was constructed to support the dome and cracks were filled by injecting the slurry of
cement and lime. These were the conservations done in case of Shive temple
golmadhi.
4. Restoration
This method seeks to attain the original state in totality.
 The objective of restoration is to revive the original concept and true style.
 Focuses on the retention of materials from most significant time in a property’s
history.
 Involves removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction/
replacement of missing features but in distinguishable way.
For example, restoration of Dattatraya square and restoration of Lokeshwor temple
in Bhaktapur Project.
5. Reproduction

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This method seeks to copy and reproduce in cases where it is endangered in a
particular place.
 Monument constructed on a different site
 Copying an extract artifact involving replacement of missing and decayed parts
 Involves moving to a more suitable environment
For example, a pati was shifted from original position and window of Godawari Math
was reproduced in Bhaktapur Conservation Project.
6. Re-evaluation/ Adaptive Re-use
This method seeks to keep buildings in continuous use.
 Involves new use to a redundant historic building
 This ensures maintenance and checks deterioration
 Adaptive reuse ensures aesthetic continuity and economic gain
 Involves addition of amenities and alteration of internal plans
 Drastic alteration of character and incompatible function is not allowed
For example, in case of Bhaktapur, Taja Math, pujari math: non religious part was
extended to house workshop and rest house which was being used as a parking for
Bhairab Chariot was converted into restaurent.
7. Renovation
It involves the process of improving a structure. Renovation can refer to making
something new, or bringing something back to life.
 The original form, construction detail and materials are followed.
 Dismantling is done only when apparent danger is perceived.
For example, in Bhaktapur Conservation Project, conservation of Ganesh temple
and Shiva temple was done.
Several cracks, vegetation growth, major parts already collapsed
One way to conserve was to dismantle and rebuild.
8. Anastylosis

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This method seeks to conserve the monument by recording the existing monument
in minute detail, dismantling it and reassembling it in its original form as per record.
For instance, renovation of Nasaman dabu and renovation of Brahmayani Dyochen
was done in Bhaktapur Project.
9. Conjectural Restoration
The least preferred methodology for conservation. It is a process of remake, which
is preferred to be limited in drawings, models and sketches.
In case of Bhaktapur, conservation of Saraswati temple was done in this method.
1.7. Strengthening of historic building
Prior to the objective of the conservation, consideration regarding materials and
techniques are recommended depending upon the degree of intervention. Any building
stand with materials and technologies bind each other in any form. Technology is major
issue not to stand the structural but also an ideology to present the society and
civilization.
To preserve the historic building and strengthening it, various materials and technologies
are used and with the time, various conservation works are done. It is very important to
preserve building from deterioration caused by the natural and human activities. We
need to preserve to keep the historic building in its existing state. Participation of local
community and government is always effective. And with the interval of time, repair of
monument is needed.
If any historic building seeks damage and weak in structure, the consolidation is
performed in which some strengthening elements if realized that the building is no longer
able to withstand the existing. According to various document, original design, historic
study and archeological study, we can conserve the historic building to its original state.
Also historic building can be conserved by keeping them in use so that regular inspection
and maintenance can be performed. According to various process of conservation we
can preserve and strengthening of historic building in its original form maintaining its
value and importance.
o Causes of building cracks
o Chemical reaction in construction materials
o Climatic condition of the nature

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o Foundation movement and settling of building
o Environmental stresses
o Bad quality materials
o Wrong method of construction
o Cause of crack-shrinkage

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2. CASESTUDY: LADAKH, INDIA
2.1. Introduction
2.1.1. Location
Ladakh covers the eastern half of
Jammu and Kashmir, India’s
northernmost state. The region
borders Tibet autonomous Region in
the east, Xinjiang province in the
northeast and the northern areas of
Pakistan in northwest. It lies in the
western edge of Tibetan plateau and
spans the parallel lines of the Great
Himalaya range, Zangskar range,
Ladakh rang and Karakoram Range.
2.1.2. Background
Ladakh is an ancient Tibetan kingdom that became part of Indian Kashmir only in the
mid-19th century. Ladakh’s unique cultural heritage is a blend between Tibetan culture,
indigenous traditions and influence from the ancient Buddhist regions of Kashmir and
Central Asia.
Ladakh is divided into two districts; Leh and Kargil. The district headquarters, Leh and
Kargil, are the also the only large towns in Ladakh, while most of the rural populations
live in smaller villages scattered across both districts.
When Ladakh’s neighboring regions of Kashmir, Baltistan, Kargil and Afghanistan
converted to Islam, relations with Tibet remained an important source of cultural
inspiration. Economically, Ladakh retained an important centre at the crossroads of Inner
Asian trade. But political developments of the mid-20th century put an end to all that and
all roads to Tibet were closed after the Chinese take-over, and India and China fought
two border wars after the Chinese army built a road through Ladakhi territory. The
partition between India and Pakistan put an end to trade and even personal contacts
between regions to the north and west, effectively locking Ladakh into isolation and
bringing its economy to a standstill. The tri-partite 40-year conflict in Kashmir aggravated
Ladakh’s isolation. Society, culture and economy stagnated. In the mid-1960s, India built
Fig: Map of Jammu and Kashmir region. (Ladakh comprises of Leh and
Kargil district)

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the first-ever road accessing Ladakh, and later regular flight links between Leh (the
capital) and Delhi were established.
o Leh town
Ladakh’s capital, Leh, is a city of some
25,000 inhabitants. The population
almost triples in size during the
summer tourist season, when people
from all over India come here looking
for work. To protect the rural Ladakhis
from economic competition that they
are not prepared for, the government
has made it impossible for outsiders to
acquire land, and even opening
businesses or working requires permits
and often a Ladakhi partner. Thus, the Ladakhis are benefiting more from tourism than
their cousins in Lhasa.
Old Leh is dominated by the former royal
palace, a nine-story stone structure
erected around 1600 in the Tibetan style
made famous by the slightly later Potala Palace in Lhasa, plus a number of Buddhist
temples and monasteries from the 15th-16th centuries. Only a few Buddhist stone
carvings arguably bear witness to the begin of Ladakh’s recorded Buddhist history in the
10th century.
The old town, consisting of two hundred stone, mud and timber houses sandwiched
between thick rammed earth walls, is located on the slope below the palace, still
accessed by a number of ancient stupa gateways. After the changes wrought by the
Chinese government on Lhasa, Leh is certainly the most well-preserved traditional
Tibetan city in the world, and perhaps the most significant ensemble of historic Tibetan
architecture.
Fig: Leh old town area - in the back the 17th century royal
palace.
Fig: Leh from the south - to the left the ﬁelds, in the center the old town

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2.2. History
The earliest known royal domain of this dynasty was in Shey in the Indus valley,
some 15 km upstream from Leh. The early history of Leh itself is shrouded in
mystery. The discovery of a Buddhist monument with a Tibetan inscription dated to
the period between the eighth and the tenth centuries suggests the existence of a
human settlement at Leh at the time, centuries before Leh entered recorded history.
This is a two meter-tall image of a standing Maitreya engraved on a rock in the ruins
of an old house at the edge of the Old Town, found during the community survey.
The earliest recorded building activity dates to the reign of Drags Bumde in the second
half of the 15th century. In 1461, the king received a delegation from Central Tibet sent
by Gendundru, who was later recognized as the First Dalai Lama, and subsequently
began the building of Buddhist temples.
The next confirmed building activity took
place during the reign of Tashi Namgyal. He
is credited with the Namgyal Tsemo tower
above the Leh place, and as proved by an
inscription, with the protector temple below
the tower.
However king jamyang namgyal and his son
senge namgyal that are credited with having
established leh s the royal capital. They
erected nine storey leh palace, and their
ministers settled immediately below within a
fortified area. This is today’s historic old town
of leh.
2.3. Ladaki Architecture
Architecture essentially began as means to provide
shelter and more importantly in ladakh, protection.
Forms that evolved were extremely simple and
versatile. Later it became a social endeavor and
patterns of development started to emerge out of these
simple forms.
Religion could never be de-linked from social activities
in ladakh. Strong ties with the neighboring Kashmir and
western Tibet too left an indelible impact on ladakhi
architecture, particularly its religious architecture. Continuous intuitive experimentation
led to the juxtaposition of simple forms to create complex architectural relationships;
settlements began to grow and dot the aired landscape of ladakh while iconography led
to create impressive interiors. Other than simple houses, several functional built form
Fig: View of old leh town showing the royal palace as
well as the monasteries temples, private house of kings
ministers just below.
Fig: Houses of ladakh

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types emerged and these included gompas (Buddhist monasteries), palaces and forts.

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2.4. Problems and issues
The main problem areas identified by the project can be summarized as follows:
 Poor quality of living conditions
 Decline of old town, government inactivity
 People without land are trapped in poverty
 Loss of cultural identity due to migration and rapid economic changes
 Loss of traditional skills that are no longer useful in modern economy
 Tension between communities (esp. Buddhist majority and Muslim minority)
2.4.1. Analysis of the decline
The old town had no water supply, and since the time of the city’s founding, people had
to climb downhill to fetch their water. Drainage was another problem due to the
availability of only a handful of open channels that are frequently blocked (or frozen).
Heavy rain falls or a neighbor’s washing day could trigger the flooding of one’s basement.
Over the past 15 years, most well-off families owning land in the greener, well watered
parts of the valley have moved away from the old town. This was made possible because
these families no longer depended on agriculture for their livelihood, having found better
sources of income in the operation of guest-houses, souvenir shops, restaurants or
internet cafés.
Fig:Every morning, residents need to queue for water Fig: Absence of sewage system

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The old town began a steep decline. Due to the moving of wealthy and influential families,
the old town began a steep decline. While the new town has paved roads, garbage
collection and sufficient water supply, no such services were provided for the old town.
The former centre of the country had in effect, became a slum. The inhabitants of this
area are roughly in equal parts, Buddhists, Muslims and migrant workers (mostly from
Nepal and Bihar) (in overall Leh, as in overall Ladakh, it is generally believed that two
thirds of the permanent populations are Buddhists). This process has also caused a
decline in the old composting toilet system, though it is still the only realistic way to deal
with solid waste. In recent years more and more Ladakhis regardless of confession (i.e.
both Muslims and Buddhists) have begun to publicly lament the decline of their former
capital, witness to a history stretching back more than 11 centuries. Hoping for the
development of this area, Tibet Heritage Fund offered to try and revive and rehabilitate
the old town in partnership with interested communities.
2.4.2. Tensions between communities
In Leh, most of the old houses are built attached to each other sharing walls, or even
vertically joint, with public access ways running underneath houses and people sharing
sheds for animals. Public squares between the densely-placed houses were used for
celebrations and processions. These days, people fight bitter disputes over empty plots
of land that lie between properties, and feud with their neighbours about physically
separating adjacent houses. Improvement works on buildings and alleyways are routinely
objected to by jealous neighbours. This social development has certainly contributed to
the decay of the old town. Tensions between communities have aggravated, over the last
15 years Muslims escaping from the Kashmir conflict have considerably enlarged
Ladakh’s Muslim minority. There have been occasionally violent conflicts between the
communities along sectarian lines (though not nearly as dramatic as, for example, the
Gujarat riots where hundreds died).
2.5. Interventionstrategy
The conservation project started with a strong approach to improve people’s livelihood
and living conditions. Leh’s historic urban fabric exemplifies traditional architecture with
influences from the central Asian trade routes that once converged in Leh old town. This
project attempts to document, research and disseminate the cultural practices of the Old
Town in Leh. Some of the intervention strategies used are:
 Improve people’s livelihood and living conditions.
 Identify and use the best of the traditional skills, which have slid into obscurity
since the advent of subsidized cement and steel.
 Rehabilitation of home by improvements such as bath rooms with drains, bringing

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more light into the often dark houses (built when glass was not known or
available), improving the composting pits of the traditional latrines and increasing
the efficiency of traditional clay mixes based on experience and the skills of the
best traditional craftsmen.
 Starting a training (and employment) program to give employment to those
inhabitants of the old town who do not own land and have little education, and
therefore giving them an economic perspective.
 Infrastructure improvement, monument preservation etc.
2.6. Interventionactivities andresults
Ladakh style townscapes in Himalayan region and a rare example of an intact historic
Tibetan Himalayan urban settlement. In the wake of modern times leh is changing fast.
New high rise buildings and development projects were transforming the face of old
town. There was a grave danger that the unique cities
would lose its historical and architectural value and that,
leh’s unique living heritage. To presaerve and conserve
such place of historical and architectural importance
following degrees of interventions were applied.
2.6.1. Assembly of a core team of skilled artisans
First of all a team of local skilled articans were appointed to conduct the conservation
project in a genuine way. Then after further training was provided by THF director André
Alexander in traditional Tibetan building technologies relevant to Ladakh, and in
restoration and building rehabilitation practice. The skills and sensibilities of the artisan
core group were further refined by training activities.
2.6.2.The Rehabilitation
Model Lane
The Stagopilog area served as one of the main access
routes into the old town. Used both by locals and residents,
it leads underneath an old stupa gate and past some of
Leh’s most beautiful (if dilapidated) historic homes. The
lane has had no paving and no drainage. Stagopilog lies at
the bottom of the slope on which the old town is located. A
drainage channel from the neighborhoods above ends
abruptly at the upper end of the alley, emptying into it. As a
Fig: Team of skilled artisans
Fig: Access routes to the old town. In
front the gateway stupa.

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result a constant stream of foul-smelling water ran down the unpaved alley, and pools of
stagnant waste water regularly accumulate between the homes. To support the
Stagopilog neighborhood community in upgrading their area, the area was turned into a
Model Rehabilitation Lane to demonstrate the feasibility.
2.6.3. Community-based infrastructure improvement
The biggest improvement in the current project phase consisted of draining and paving
the Stagopilog alleyway. It was designed by community, and implemented by local
community members, local builders and THF staff. The community members put in work
for the drain digging and removing of soil, but many aspects of the work would have to
be carried out by professionals or semi-professionals. The residents would be able to
learn as much as possible about drain building on this
stretch, which after all is only a first pilot project. Skilled
workers install drain and pave the alley (August 2005).
Community members and skilled workers worked together
building the drain (August 2005).

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2.6.4. Promotion of
adequate and
sustainable building
technologies
Fig: Draining and paving the Stagopilog alleyway
Fig: Alley before and after

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Traditional Tibetan architecture is well suited to the climate and geography of the
Himalayas. The mud bricks and mud plaster absorb heat from the strong sunshine during
the day and slowly radiate it during the cold nights. Mud is used in many layers to provide
insulation for walls, floors and ceilings. External timber bands are used to brace the walls
against earthquakes, and the internal load (ceiling structure) is so distributed that it will
not kill residents even in the case of collapse. Many traditional buildings will be able to
withstand earthquakes. Most of the new tall buildings coming up in the Main Bazaar area,
by contrast, will not survive, and some their heavy pre-cast concrete elements are likely
to kill people when they fall. Modern construction is also almost exclusively done by
migrant workers who can cast concrete. Building in the traditional skills not only gives
greater comfort and security to Residents, but also requires the availability of local skills
and so benefits the local economy. The recent (October 8) earthquake in Kashmir has
caused only little damage inthe Ladakh region, but Ladakh lies certainly in an earthquake-
prone region. Further promotion of traditional skills and earthquake-protecting features
(some of which could be incorporated also into modern buildings) was advocated.
2.6.5. Income generation through vocational
training and workshops for skill improvements,
promoting women’s roles in construction work
THF integrated several local women from poor
families into a medium- term training scheme. Four
people with some local building skills participated so
that their skills would become refined. This enabled
them to earn more money in the future, and also will
supply the project with the specialized skills necessary for upgrading of traditional and
historic residential homes. The refined skills included practices used in Tibet for
upgrading and rehabilitating historic residential buildings.
2.6.6. Documentation of historic building structures
Tibetan architecture, architectural history and art history
are still relatively young fields of research. Little is known
about styles and their evolution, and even major sites are
still insufficiently documented. Events of the 20th century,
such as massive destruction of historic Tibetan art and
architecture, have dramatically narrowed down the
chances
of ever fully understanding the Tibetan building tradition.
The rapid modernization in both China and India, as well
Fig: Multilayered mud plasters, external
timber bands and sun-dried bricks as local
and sustainable technology.
Fig: Mud plastering

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as the acceleration of mass tourism, are further threatening remaining historic structures.
One cluster in the center of the old town, consisting of the 14th century JampaLhakhang
and seven residential houses, five houses and one stupa in the Stagopilog conservation
model alley, as well as six other historic houses and four monastic sites were
documented.
2.6.7. Revival of traditional skills and local wisdom
through exchange with other Himalayan
communities
Ladakhi culture
and traditional society have been in decline ever since
the borders to Tibet were closed five decades ago.
Ladakh had to look to lowland India for cultural
inspiration. However, Ladakh is geographically very different from the rest of India, and
compared to India’s 1 billion people, the small Ladakhi population of less than 100,000
is struggling to retain their cultural identity. THF has reopened one channel of exchange
between Tibet and Ladakh by bringing Tibetan experts to Leh for workshops and training.
We have also involved Tibetan refugees, many of whom possess traditional skills that
Ladakhis have partially lost. This helps both communities – giving Tibetan refugees an
economic perspective, and reviving ancient cultural links between the two regions.
2.6.8. Rehabilitation of housing for low-income communities
In 2004 and 2005, the project rehabilitated a number of homes in old Leh. Houses were
chosen by priority, location and willingness of the owner to contribute.
1. Sofi House:
town. Fig: Leh interactive map, sample building database page from THF
website.
Fig: The parapet fitted with Tibetan-style
decoration. Revival of lost traditional
technique.

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One of the oldest and architecturally important
houses, it was built ca. 100 years ago by a family
who had migrated from Kashmir to Leh. The
building has two stories, and mostly store rooms on
the ground floor.
Problem: The roof was badly disintegrated, with
extensive leakage, wall cracks and drainage
problem.
Work included: Reconstruction of roof with traditional internal water- proofing layers, and
a new drainage system, repairs of wall cracks, provision of better insulation, included
interior and exterior plastering, restoration and improvement of windows, construction of
skylights to bring more light into the upper floor rooms and construction of a skylight to
cover the previously open staircase, toilet composting vault concreted to prevent
seepage, and fitted with an internal air circulation
system, kitchen fitted with a sink connected with a
drain that led into the street drain.
2.Jampa Lhakhang
This 15th century temple is one of the town’s main
Buddhist monuments. THF helped to repair the leaking
roof, and prepared a rehabilitation plan for the entire
site, which requires more roof repairs and cleaning of
historic wall-paintings.
3. Cholday house
The Cholday house is home to three generations of a single family, plus also for some
additional aunts and nieces. So even during the repairs, the families continued staying
there, just moving to the back area. The family’s contribution lay in supplying all the
materials and providing additional supervision of the workers. The house has three
Fig:Ground plan and east elevation, showing
the 100-year old Kashmiristyle wooden balcony
Fig:South elevation (THF 2005), work on the roof and roof parapet,

22
stories, with main damage in the northern part that was caused by a neighbor’s demolition
and reconstruction of his house.
The north wall was reconstructed, the fallen ceiling in the area rebuilt, and additional
windows were put in. The roof was waterproofed, and the disintegrated roof parapet (that
protects the mud walls from rain) was rebuilt. The main work was completed at the end
of 2004.
4. Hanupa House
Hanupa House is located widely visible on the ridge high
above the town and so an important priority. It was also
a very poorly-built home, erected ca. 150 years to house
servants of the nearby Norchung family’s mansion..
One of the walls had to be partly taken down because of
a defect in the foundation, and was rebuilt much stronger
and structurally sounder.
All other walls were also strengthened. Windows were
much enlarged, and additional ones put in, as the house
previously had been very dark. It also had very low
ceilings; we have successfully raised the ceiling. The
house had no toilet and no drainage; we have built a
composting toilet and ﬁtted the kitchen with a sink.
The house was successfully rehabilitated August-
October 2005.
5. Hor Yakandi House
Fig: ground plan. The problem area is shown in
grey (THF 2004). The defect north wall of the
house had to be taken down.
Fig: Ground plan (THF 2005), had to be partly
rebuilt to make it structurally sound.

23
This house was built about 100 years ago by a Muslim family from north-western China
(Yarkand). It was abandoned 20 years ago when the top ﬂoor had collapsed, as the
family believed that the nearby stupa gate
had an ill effect on the house and the family.
It was found out that the house was taller
than the stupa, which is widely believed
locallyto invite harm. So it was agreed with
the family that the house would be
rehabilitated minus the upper ﬂoor, so that it
would be safe again for habitation. The
house originally had four storeys and a
functioning composting toilet. The north wall
is close to collapse, and the internal timber frame suffers from numerous defects and
settlements. Most windows have disintegrated.
6.Chenrezi Lhakhang
This huge building was constructed in the 17th century as main monastic center for Leh.
It contains a 16-pillar assembly hall, a four-pillar
protector room, and a three-storey tall blank wall
facing the town for display of the huge
Gygutangka during festival times. Even though
its importance has been overshadowed by the
new Tsuklakhang built around 1980in the main
bazaar, Chenrezi Lhakhang remains one of the
old town’s major monuments and a popular
focus point for local Buddhists and tourists alike.
The construction a few years ago of a new
access road to Leh Palace that runs just to the
north of Chenrezi Lhakhang has aggravated
water seepage problems. Rain- and groundwater are destroying murals and even
damage the foundations. THF has excavated the foundations
and built a drainage channel to protect the walls.
7.Lonpo House
This is the former home of the king’s chief minister, built around
the same time as the Leh Palace (ca. 1600). The family
abandoned the house decades ago, and in the 1990s, it was
donated to Chemrey monastery. Unfortunately, by that time, it
had partly collapsed due to neglect. THF supported repairs of
the collapsed part, and partial replacement of the interior timber
frame.
Fig: Section (THF 2005).
Fig: Assembly space

24
2.6.9. Creation of a community centre for community meetings, cultural
functions and training of community members for future income-generating
activities
On the ridge above town just below the former royal
palace stood a deserted building threatened by
collapse. This was the Guru Lhakhang, a chapel
founded by 44 leading families of Leh around 1600
as centre for congregations, private religious
practice outside of monasteries, and, most
importantly, as place for celebration of local
festivals. The original network of families had
disintegrated over the centuries, disabling attempts
at maintenance. THF found the roof and timber
frame to be on the verge of collapse, with extensive
rain damage. THF proposed to rehabilitate the site
as pilot project, so that the entire community and not
just one family would be benefit from the first
activity. The pilot project would demonstrate the
feasibility of using only local skills and local labour,
therefore benefiting the local economy.
Activities that took place in the Guru Lhakhang
include: Since there were fragments of badly
damaged historic paintings on the walls, people
were trained here in basic techniques painting
restoration. THF build a new roof structure,
including timber frame, roof layers and parapet. A
damaged section of the north wall was repaired, 30
rooflight was added to bring more light into the
building. The interior plaster was restored. A new
tamped clay floor was made, the clay also functions
as additional insulating layer.
Fig: The entire roof reconstructed
Fig: Cleaning and re-touching wall-paintings

25
2.7. Results of the Project
 Community-based improvement of living and sanitary conditions
 Promotion of adequate and sustainable building technologies (particularly in
view of the fact that Ladakh is an earthquake-prone region)
 Income-generation through vocational training, promoting women’s roles in
construction work
 Documentation of historic building structures Strengthening of cultural identity in
context of globalization
 Revival of traditional skills and local wisdom through exchange with other
Himalayan communities
 First-ever training of Ladakhi painting restorers Rehabilitation of housing of low-
income communities
 Creation of a community center for community meetings, cultural functions and
training of community members for future income generating activities
 Contribution to a diffusion of sectarian tensions between different communities
by community-organizing and motivating them to work together to improve their
living conditions.
3. Conclusion
The first part of report describes about conservation and degrees of intervention whereas
second part is about a case study of historical village called leh; describing its historical
and architectural importance and conservation approach. From this report we got to
learn about the ideas to conserve a historical settlement. We have now gained more
knowledge about the intervention strategies to be applied while conserving a settlement.
From the studies we can now conclude following things to keep in mind while conserving
any historical settlement:
 The identities of places will live as long as we are capable of sustaining their
distinct human dimension.
 A sense of place must be cared for and regenerated every day if it is to reflect the
values and traditions of our societies.
 The purpose of planning is to achieve better use of resources and to manage our
habitats with minimal intervention and environmental disruption.
 A plan, however, should not be an abstract design imposed from the top. It should
advocate a more realistic and socially conscious approach to planning.
 The issue today is that of reordering poorly designed and hastily built city areas
and improving regions in critical environmental conditions.

26
Bibliography
 History of architectural conservation by JUKKA JOKILEHTO
 Art and architecture in ladakh
 Leh old town lonely planet. www.lonleyplanet.com
 www.tibetheritagefund.org
 Bhaktapur development project
 Conservation manual

casestudy on conservation of historic township (leh)

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