Digital urbanism & diasporas: walking the cultural heritage of Calcutta's riverfront

印度城市经历了快速城市化，对住房、基础设施和服务的需求不断增加，导致人口密集，贫民窟和棚户区的低收入家庭和非正式人口增加，以及城市扩张。与此同时，数字技术的快速转型为城市决策者提供了新的机会，使他们能够采用智能解决方案来应对城市挑战，而“智能”城市计划则提供了一个数字愿景，让所有公民都能平等地享受和参与安全、有保障、包容、健康和理想的城市生活。然而，目前尚不清楚“智能”城市化是否同样包容移民和散居社区，挑战平等和社会正义的概念。在这里，我们重点关注生活在印度最大城市之一-加尔各答的移民社区的有形和无形文化遗产。历史上被称为加尔各答，它拥有悠久而丰富的贸易，商业和移民传统，在当代社会，传统，文化和实践以及建筑环境中留下了持久的遗产。该项目将与当地侨民社区和社会企业合作，重点关注胡格利河滨，参与，记录和共同策划遗产步行，讲述各种形式的代表性不足的侨民遗产的故事。通过使用社交媒体和数字技术，以及公共步行和展览，不同城市群体的多样性和传统将得到分享，提高认识和理解，更新地方感并促进社会凝聚力。通过与市政当局、机构和政策制定者接触，该项目旨在改变人们看待和重视散居地遗产的方式，并为区域和国家遗产保护政策提供信息。

Indian cities suffer rapid urbanisation increasing demand for housing, infrastructure and services, causing densification, an increase in lower income households and informal populations in slums and squatter settlements, and urban sprawl. At the same time, rapid transformations in the digital technologies offer new opportunities to city decision-makers in adopting smart solutions to urban challenges and 'smart' city plans offer a digital vision in which all citizens have equal access to and participation in a city life which is safe, secure, inclusive, healthy and desirable. However it remains unclear whether 'smart' urbanism is equally inclusive of migrants and diaspora communities, challenging notions of equality and social justice. Here we focus on the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of migrant communities living in one of India's largest cities - Kolkata. Historically known as Calcutta it has a long and rich tradition of trade, commerce and migration, which has left a lasting legacy in both contemporary society, its traditions, cultures and practices and also in the built environment. Working with local diaspora communities and social enterprises this project will focus on the Hooghly riverfront to engage with, document and co-curate Heritage Walks which narrate the stories of under-represented diaspora heritage in all of its forms. Through the use of social media and digital technologies, as well as public walks and an exhibition, the diversity and traditions of different urban groups will be shared, building increased awareness and understanding, a renewed sense of place and fostering social cohesion. By engaging with municipal authorities, institutions and policymakers this project aims to change the way diaspora heritage is viewed and valued and to inform regional and national heritage conservation policies.