Capitol Complex gets the Heritage Status

Chandigarh, 17^th July, 2016:  Capitol Complex, Chandigarh has been added to the prestigious world heritage list. The final decision of inclusion was taken in the meeting held by UNESCO in Turkey this Saturday. We have been inscribed in a Trans Continental serial Nomination. Various sites from seven countries — France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Argentina, Japan and India were listed to show the global reach of the works of Le Corbusier. Capitol Complex, designed by Le Corbusier also was included in the entry which represented India for the Heritage Status.

Chandigarh Administration thanks the entire team involved, by whose fruitful and sincere efforts after a long time we bring home the Heritage Status. Chandigarh Administration whole heartedly thank Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Administrator, U.T Chandigarh for his constant guidance and support, Smt. Kirron Kher , Member of Parliament, Chandigarh, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Representative of India to UNESCO & LeCorbusier’s foundation, Paris. The Administration also thanks the officials from Department of Tourism, Urban Planning, Engineering for their sincere efforts towards the Heritage Status.

Sh. Parimal Rai, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh Administration congratulated all the residents of the city and said, “ It is a moment of pride for our city as Capitol Complex gets the Heritage Status. The Administration ensures all the residents that we will conserve and preserve this Heritage Site and make the city a major international tourism destination”. 

Sh. Anurag Agarwal, IAS Home Secretary, Chandigarh Administration said, “This is a great achievement for the Administration, another feather in the cap as we bring home a Heritage Status, I congratulate everyone on the success”.

Subsequent to the decision of the World Heritage Committee to inscribe the Architectural Work of Le Corbusier on the World Heritage List, the Fondation Le Corbusier was delighted to note that the Outstanding Universal Value of the transcontinental series proposed by seven countries had been acknowledged by UNESCO.

Responding to the challenges of architecture and society in the 20th Century, Le Corbusier’s contribution to the Moderne Movement aimed to instigate a unique forum of ideas at a world level; it facilitated the invention of a new architectural language and the modernization of architectural techniques; it met the social and human needs of modern man.

The Foundation has expressed its deep gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the nomination which benefited from a fruitful collaboration: the states parties (Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan and Switzerland), the local communities and organizations which host the buildings, the owners of the buildings, inhabitants and users, and all the experts who were associated to the project.

The preservation of the modern heritage and more specifically of Le Corbusier’s architectural work is a long term venture. The inscription on the World Heritage List of 17 buildings or sites by Le Corbusier encourages everyone to maintain the  Le Corbusier ‘s work and over this living heritage to the future generations. It also contributes to the under-standing of that complex and fragile legacy and helps its dissemination to the widest audience.