2021 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation: Announcement of Winners

The holistic urban revitalisation of the historic Nizamuddin Basti community in New Delhi, India has received the Award of Excellence in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The project also garnered a Special Recognition for Sustainable Development.  Nine projects from six countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand – have been honoured by a Jury of heritage experts. Jurors met online in November to review a total of 39 entries from 12 countries across the Asia-Pacific. The Jury applauded the Nizamuddin Basti project for its “outstanding achievement in placing heritage at the heart of the sustainable development agenda” and noted that “through an innovative People-Public-Private Partnership model, the project overcame major socio-economic challenges and improved health, education and well-being, particularly for women and youth”.