All rights reserved by www.ijaresm.net ISSN : 2394-1766 1 RENEWAL OF BUILT HERITAGE: A CASE OF GOPI- TALAO, SURAT Sapana Jayeshkumar Shah 1 , Prof. Himanshu J. Padhya 2 , Prof. Bhasker V. Bhatt 3 M.E, Civil Engg., Sarvajanik College of Engg. and Tech., Surat, Gujarat, India 1 Associate Prof., Civil Engg., Sarvajanik College of Engg. and Tech., Surat, Gujarat, India 2 Associate Prof., Civil Engg., Sarvajanik College of Engg. and Tech., Surat, Gujarat, India 3 Abstract: Real challenge for urban local body through developers, architects, and professionals is to protect and preserve the built heritage. Most difficult task ahead is to conserve the local traditional and cultural values of communities for future generations to appreciate. This paper discusses a case for the renewal & restoration of historical Gopi- talao, Surat that is accomplished by Surat Municipal Corporation and on the verge of completion. This study comprehends on the past, and present conditions and development undertook for restoration and redevelopment. Further, the administrators of the city have planned for a grade separated road along the partial periphery of Gopi-talav that will add to beautification feature of the lake. Keywords: Gopi-talav, Heritage, Restoration, Surat, Urbanisation, Urban Renewal, Walled city. INTRODUCTION India population has grown two and half times while urban population increased five times in the last 50 years. (Cochin, 2013) Urbanisation in the country with the level of 31% where more than 40% of urban population living in 53 metro cities (Census of India, 2011). Country is trending towards metropolitan development. Most of the major cities are centuries old, and about 2.8 percent of total geographical area of the country is under urban settlements. So, urban renewal is needed to revitalise the city or a part which has been plagued by the ills of urbanisation. In Surat, Gopi-talao is a built heritage water body. It was constructed by Malek Gopi – a prosperous merchant in 16th century A.D. Its main purpose was to provide water supply to Surat city, but the pond has dried out & is filled only during rainy days. In the other duration, the bed is used as a playground. Gopi-talav has the only step-well in this area having steps to go down from all four sides availing ground water. The step-well is with 25 footsteps, within the 35 square metres structure, and 15 metres deep compared to water body depth of 12 metres. (India, n.d.) History suggests that centuries ago, “Gopi-talao” was among renowned objects having worldwide attention. The lake’s exquisiteness evoked elaborate chapters penned to pronounce its glory, not only by Indian intellectuals, but also by European travellers in travelogues about their trip to India.