Lately our Interest has been aroused by the new concept of architectural conservation whi ch Is the subject of a book recently published by the Asi atic Society of Bangladesh on the basis of the proceedings of a seminar on the subject held In April last. in this book, our In terest centres, among other things, on the future proposals, problems and prospects ol conservation study of Dhaka.

We learn that in the context of Bangladesh. the expression "architectural conservation suggests the maintaining the presence of the past in the present that involves preserving, restoring and/or adapting old buildings; designing new ones that respect their neighbours and the continuity of history; weaving old and new together in an urban fabric of variety and richness. The advocates of conservation claim that it Is through the dynamic act of conservation that we can observe and develop a regard and knowledge of traditions and the guiding principles that constitute a tangible link with the past. In other words, a reflection and knowledge about our own selves.

Architectural conservation is viewed a4 a tool of socio-economic re-vitalisatlon and community uplift. It is regarded ag a concern of urban design and urban planning. This has necessitated a multi-disciplinary approach towards conservation. Today architectural conservation draws the skill of archaeol ogists. ethnographers, sociologists. historians, architects, landscape architects, engineers and the town planners.

Bangladesh is yet to define her policy of architectural conservation. This understandably ■ imposes serious difficulties in execution and Implementation of architectural conservation .projects. Last year, the Depart-

ment of Architecture. Bangladesh University of Engl neering and Technology (BUE D. formulated a project proposal for a conservation study entitled the 'Conservation Study of Dhaka City —Its Historical Buildings ' The study which is being financed by the Ford Foundation with a three year project period, will Identify, se lect and document significant buildings of old Dhaka.

yhe study which Is already underway Is the first of ita kind in Bangladesh. Conservation initiative has begun with a listing of significant built forms and environments in need of conservation, to be followed by

Inventory analysis for priority selection. It is. however, felt that the present knowledge gap on existing building stock Is a ' major constraining factor.

, Among the important prob lems encountered in course of the study are that In many cases die original urban fabric, immediate surrounding to historical structures or monuments have either been de stroyed. lost their original use and character or have been hidden by relatively new structures..

As a consequence, there is a possibility of structures of greater conservation value being left over unintentionally. An other unfortunate aspect highlighted is that our buildings are constant victims of various destructive processes

Ruplal House in FarashganJ has been vandalised by virtue of its present use as a wholesale market and godown. Outrageous excesses of construction have totally engulfed the oldest mosque in Dhaka, the Mosque of Binat Bibi. Old buildings of Shakhari Bazar are being pulled down to make way for new constructions. destabilising its so cio-economic structures and the traditional milieu.

We are told that the destructive forces are so rampant and powerful In replacing and defacing old buildings and historical places that the future of otir past is indeed seriously at stake The moat serious issue faced today In the architectural conservation Is the conflict of interest between the aims of conservation and the desire for modernisation. "Die problem is more acute In the urban areas Of the developing countries where there is increasing rejection of traditional values and architecture by many Classes of society. Contemporary city administrators are said to be reluctant to become Involved In architectural conservation because of problems and complexities of land ownership, rehousing and political wrang Ungs.

It was emphasised that architectural conservation Is yet to be a wider public and professional concern, and the con temporary philosophy and con cepts of architectural conservation is yet to gain currency. What Is practised here is archaeological preservation based on the principles and legislations Introduced a century ago. Due to the restrictive policy followed In archaeological preservations e.g. a building must be 100 years old to be designated as historic property, significant portion of the country's architectural heritage remains outside the scope of architectural conservation.

In view of the promise that th< concept of conservation holds for the future of the urban environment, it was underscored that It is only the greater awareness among the general public, politicians, administra- 1 tors; researchers, historians, professionals, and users and their combined efforts that can help to arrest the threat to our urban and architectural lega cies.