Centre for Heritage Research
Collaborative Initiatives
A. Public Exhibitions:
Public Exhibitions Reimagining Heritage a Collaborative public event with Heritage Trust Baroda was organized in 2022 and another on documenting heritage in 2024 at the Art District of Alembic City displaying exhibits and models from projects undertaken from CHR, alongwith walking tours of Laurie Baker Buildings and Pratapnagar -Narrow-Gauge Railway. This was well received by public and attended by eminent people. Exhibition and walking tours were organized as part of the event Reimagining Heritage, by the Centre for Heritage Research (CHR) of Navrachana University alongwith the Heritage Trust Baroda. These two organizations collaborated for these events in order to raise awareness about different heritage issues of the city. The exhibition Reimagining Heritage showcased some of the modern, technological, and natural heritage of Vadodara. This was a public event organized from 25th to 27th March 2022 at the Art District of Alembic City displaying exhibits and models from below mentioned projects, alongwith walking tours on Laurie Baker Buildings and Narrow-Gauge Railway.
B. Walking Tour:
Laurie Baker Buildings, Vadodara
The Laurie Baker in Vadodara walk was curated focusing on the architectural values and the experiments carried out to resolve various challenges while designing the three buildings designed by Laurie Baker for each of them. The uniqueness of these buildings in terms of their design approach and reflection of the experimentation with architectural language and material expression was emphasized as well.
Walk Curated by: Prof. Pragya Shankar and Ms. Sandhya Gajjar
Narrow-Gauge Railway Heritage, Vadodara.
The narrow-gauge walk focused on innovation in technology and its influence on social and physical fabric of the city of Vadodara. Technical techniques were explained alongwith demonstration of various mechanisms used in narrow gauge then and now. The walk concluded with the visit to the Pratapnagar Railway Museum showcasing exhibits of evolution of narrow gauge in global context, original - tickets, handwritten communications, equipments used on station, and so on.
Walk Curated by: Prof. Shalini Amin and Ms. Manju Meena (Sr. DCM)
Other City Walks
Comprised of “Presence of Absence” the stories hidden within the walled city of Vadodara. This immersive heritage walk explores the place identity of demolished or transformed spaces — tracing memories, collective imagination, and the layers of history that have shaped the city over time. “Urban Narratives Walk” was about exploring the historic precinct through lens of urban planning and conservation. Decoding Public Institutions and the City Planning Strategies of Sir Patrick Geddes initiated during the Gaekwad Era. Food Walks were curated by students as well.
C. UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN)
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) promotes cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) applied for UCCN status. The intent was to provide (Baroda)’s fine art, folk arts and crafts as well as creative professionals to showcase their work, build partnerships and exchange to promote the city and its heritage on an international level. Navrachana University collaborated with Heritage Trust Baroda. As knowledge partner Navrachana contributed towards preparation of the dossier. Conducted research and preparation of listing of Cultural Infrastructure based on research, detailed infographic maps with photographic documentation. These set of maps and listing were attached to the Dossier to be sent to the Ministry of Culture – Government of India for shortlisting process for UNESCO Creative City Network.