Authors: Rashi N. Sadadiwala, Ashwani Raj, Dr. Krupesh A Chauhan
Abstract: Surat, a historically significant urban center in western India, is undergoing rapid urbanization, placing considerable pressure on its cultural heritage assets such as Surat Castle (Old Fort), the Dutch Cemetery, and several other historic precincts. Renowned for its textile and diamond industries, the city contributes substantially to the national economy and today spans approximately 461.60 sq. km, accommodating a population of nearly 8 million. Constructed in 1540—41 as a defensive bastion against Portuguese incursions, Surat Fort has transitioned through multiple regimes—serving as a Mughal military stronghold, a British administrative establishment, and later State Government offices. Each occupation period has left architectural and spatial imprints, collectively narrating the city's evolving political and cultural trajectory. Recognizing the fort's heritage value, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) initiated a comprehensive retrofitting and conservation program under the Smart City Mission launched in 2015. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) carried out the development in three distinct phases. Phase 1 focusing on foundation and primary restoration, phase 2 focusing on adaptive reuse and cultural hub whereas phase 3 focusing on heritage square and urban integration. Quantitative analysis of visitor data from January 2019 to November 2025 demonstrates a significant shift in tourism dynamics. This study critically evaluates the impacts of these interventions, particularly how heritage conservation can be harmonized with contemporary urban renewal strategies. The retrofitting works have catalyzed the revitalization of the Chowk precinct, enhanced tourism potential, and strengthened civic identity. The transformation of the one-kilometer radius urban fabric surrounding the fort, thereby reinforcing Surat's image as a dynamic yet culturally rooted urban environment. The Chowk area now emerges as a city center and heritage square, seamlessly integrating with key urban nodes—Andrews Library, J.J. Training College, the Old Civil Hospital, the Anglican Church, Gandhi Baug, local bazaars, and the SMC Muglisara institutional cluster—alongside the newly developed metro station. This research also provides a structured repository of recorded observations and spatial analyses, serving as a reference framework for future scholars and practitioners. Overall, Surat Fort stands as a model for adaptive reuse. The study further aids policymakers, administrators, consultants, and researchers in replicating similar heritage-led retrofitting initiatives in other cities.
Published by: vikaspatanker