Ekamra Heritage Conservation Plan
Reviving Bhubaneswar's heritage, the 'EKAMRA' Plan preserves temples, redesigns streetscapes, and creates thematic plazas, fostering cultural celebration and accessibility.
HERITAGE AND PRESERVATION | URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN | LANDSCAPE ARTCHITECTURE
Client: OBCC | Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Size: 80 acres
Bhubaneswar stands out for its array of ancient sandstone temples intricately woven into the city fabric, creating a vibrant heritage landscape. Acknowledging the need to safeguard this invaluable legacy, the State Government with Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC) as the implementing agency devised the 'EKAMRA' Plan - Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monuments Revival Action Plan.
Spanning approximately 80 acres, the delineated project area encompasses 15 nationally protected (ASI), 7 State protected, and nearly 47 unprotected monuments. The EKAMRA Conservation Plan embraced an integrated approach to revive and revitalize the heritage and cultural significance of the “Temple City.” Its primary objectives focused on preserving the heritage value and grandeur of Lingaraj Temple and its surroundings, enhancing living heritage and continuous traditions, showcasing the complete timeline of Kalinga architectural developments through strategic interventions, protecting and strengthening linkages between natural and built heritage assets, and highlighting experiential value for tourists and residents.
The plan prioritized redesigning roads and streetscapes, ensuring a seamless circulation network to ease traffic flow and celebrate the living culture and traditions in the Ekamra Kshetra project area. It also included the design of thematic plazas as accessible congregational spaces, connecting all temples and heritage structures within the Ekamra Project Area. Additionally, the plan addressed functional requirements by providing public conveniences, temple facilities, administrative offices, and a security & control centre for the precinct.