Le Corbusier Sites Up for World Heritage Status (Again)

The inscription of several Le Corbusier buildings on the Unesco’s World Heritage List is once again under discussion. According to Le Figaro, the president of the Association of Le Corbusier Sites, Marc Petit—who is also the mayor of Firmini, a small town in France’s Loire region featuring several of the architect’s buildings—is undeterred by the two previously unsuccessful attempts.

“We’ve redone our application taking into account the experts’ recommendations, particularly regarding the reduction of the number of sites,” he said, “although the proposal includes a new country, India.” Seventeen sites located in seven countries are now featured in this new application, including three buildings designed by Le Corbusier for Chandigarh, in Northern India.

The proposal “is supported by the Fondation Le Corbusier, and the French ambassador at UNESCO Phillippe Lalliot,” continued Petit. The Indian government also backs the initiative.

Le Corbusier started working on Chandigarh in 1951, following the accidental death of the new city’s main architect, the American Albert Mayer. While his team focused on the urbanism, he designed the capitol complex himself, namely, the Secretariat, the Legislative Assembly, and the High Court. There was also a plan for a fourth building, which was never built.

The World Heritage Committee will announce its decision in June 2016.


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