Context:
Recently, India and France signed an agreement for the “adaptive reuse” of the North and South Blocks (Central Vista) as part of the plan to create a world-class museum.
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Named as “Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum” will redefine the museum experience, offering a platform that celebrates India’s heritage while embracing contemporary narratives.
It is an integral part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project and will be implemented in two phases — the first comprising the retrofitting of North Block into a museum space by 2026.
- North Block: It currently houses the offices of the Ministries of Finance and Home Affairs.
- South Block: It houses the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of External Affairs offices.
The museum is expected to be the largest museum (spanning approximately 1.55 lakh square meters) in the world, overtaking the Louvre in Paris, presently the world’s biggest.
The “adaptive reuse” of the North and South blocks will ensure the preservation of their architectural heritage.
International Museum Day (18th May).
France’s Adaptive Reuse Approach:
France is renowned for its expertise in “adaptive reuse” projects, exemplified by the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hôtel de la Marine.
Adaptive reuse is the practice of repurposing existing buildings or structures for a different use than their original intended purpose.
- Instead of demolishing old buildings and constructing new ones, adaptive reuse involves creatively transforming existing structures to serve modern needs.
In this case it includes the transformation of old vacated government buildings into iconic cultural spaces (world-class museums).
Central Vista Redevelopment Project:
The Central Vista Redevelopment Project is an ongoing initiative to revamp Central Vista, India’s key administrative area situated near Raisina Hill in New Delhi.
Under the Central Vista Development/ Re-development Master Plan, there are 4 sub-projects.
- Construction of the New Parliament Building.
- Redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue.
- A new residential complex to house offices and the Prime Minister and Vice President.
- Construction of Common Central Secretariat Buildings.
- Central Vista Avenue mainly comprises: – Kartavya Path and India Gate lawns, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Blocks, Parliament House, the India Gate monument.